Oceania (Hawaiian) Art and Culture

Hawaii ( the Big Island), Kauai, Kaholawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau and Oahu make up the last great island nation. This collection of eight beautiful islands which have developed both a culture and art that is as spectacular as the islands. 

The Hawaiian culture is so intertwined that there are few pure blooded Hawaiians left. Those that are carry the traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. The original inhabitants of Hawaii were the Polynesians. Between 300-800 CE they sailed from the other islands in the South Pacific and reached the island chain. 

Culture: 

Hula: Was and still is a traditional dance in the Hawaiian Islands. Originally, the dance was used to tell epic tails, mythology, and stories. The dancers trained for long periods of time and were paied vary well by the upper cast and by the king or ali'i. 

Surfing: The ancient Hawaiians used surfing to settle and decide multiple things, most importantly they used surfing during disagreements between chiefs and tribes. A ancient Hawaiian historian named Kepelino said:

"Expert surfers going upland to farm, if part way up perhaps they look back and see the rollers combing the beach, will leave their work ... then hurrying away home, they will pick up the board and go. All thought of work is at an end, only that of sport is left. The wife may go hungry, the children, the whole family, but the head of the house does not care. He is all for sport, that is his food."

Art: 

Hawaiian Rock Carvings: One of the major art developments in Hawaii is now barely viable. The Rock Carvings can be found on the island of Lanai, on the coast line. There are 20 boulders with over 400 petroglyph of humans, deer, and other animals carved into them. It says that the humans are not humans, but gods. The petroglyph were used in a ceremonial traditions to remember certain religious events in the Hawaiian culture. 

New Zealand Art and Culture

The Next Island nation is the island of New Zealand. New Zealand is said to have one of the most interesting and rich history. With a mix of both European and the native Maori roots. In order to understand the art and culture of the island, we have to look at the people.

The First Settlers: The Maori
As Maori mythology says, it was the great Polynesian Kupe, who discovered New Zealand. This myth is actually historically accurate, because we see similar ways of living and almost identical development of technology. The Polynesians set out in extremely large canoes from anyone of the hundreds of islands they had populated in the Southern Pacific.It is said that between 1200-1300 CE is when the first people set foot on this vast island.

Above: A map of Pacific migration 

Maori Culture: 

Whakairo: An intricate carving on either a hook,art piece, or building. 

Whakairo is an art skill few can even try to attempt. The last great Whakairo carver was Tene Waitere who died in 1931. Less well known artist still continue the Maori tradition.

Haka: is a traditional war cry or dance used by both ancient tribes and modern athletes. There are two main types of Haka. The first is the regular or welcoming Haka used to great distinguished guests, amusement, and for special occasions(funerals).  The next Haka is the War Haka or Peruperu Haka, this would be preformed before a battle either between tribes or with foreigners. The main point was to show their strength over their opponents and essentially scare them into retreating. This Haka is still used today by the rugby teams of New Zealand, like the All Blacks.

Traditional Haka

Haka preformed by the rugby team the All Blacks

Ta Moko:  The sacred "tattooing" or carving on the skin. In each mark tells us the individuals genealogy and his tribe's historical information.

"The marks in general are spirals drawn with great nicety and even elegance. One side corresponds with the other. The marks on the body resemble foliage in old chased ornaments, convolutions of filigree work, but in these they have such a luxury of forms that of a hundred which at first appeared exactly the same no two were formed alike on close examination"

-Capitan Cook 1769 

The process consists of a chiseling on the skin not a tattooing. They Maori used uhi (Chisels) to hit with a small mallet on to the skin. After that process a chard pigment was rubbed into the groves made previously.

For more Information:

Pure New Zealand

New Zealand: A History