Information on Polynesian Culture
Polynesia has influenced Western art, literature and sports. For example, arm wrestling served as a traditional test of strength to prepare Polynesians for hand to hand combat. Polynesian culture spans the Pacific Ocean and has influenced the West by adding words such as taboo to the English language, based on the religious belief that certain items are sacred, or tapu, in Polynesian.
History
The Polynesians are a seafaring culture that used the canoe to travel among Polynesia's Pacific islands. The first contact with Europeans occurred in the 1500s, beginning a trend that led to native New Zealanders becoming bilingual in English and Maori today.
Significance
The Polynesian culture has inspired artists such as Paul Gauguin to create his Tahitian paintings. The Hawaiian hula dance and ukulele reflect Polynesia's musical and dance heritage.
Geography
Polynesia is comprised of over 1,000 islands in the Pacific and includes New Zealand, Hawaii, Tonga and Easter Island. French Polynesia includes Tahiti and the Marquesas.
Features
Tattooing is a puberty ritual practiced by the Maori in New Zealand. Only men are tattooed in Samoa.
Fun Fact
Polynesians taught the Europeans surf waves and the sport of surfing spread throughout the world. In 1779 the first written account of Hawaiian surfing appeared in Captain James Cook's Pacific expedition log.
Famous Ties
The Marquesas Islands inspired author Herman Melville to write Typee, published in 1846. Tahiti inspired artist Henri Matisse to create Polynesia, The Sea in 1946.
Tags: Information Polynesian, Information Polynesian Culture