Polynesian culture | History, People, Religion, Traditions, & Facts. Polynesian culture, the beliefs and practices of the indigenous peoples of the ethnogeographic group of Pacific islands known as Polynesia (from Greek poly ‘many’ and nēsoi ‘islands’). Polynesia encompasses a huge triangular area of the east-central Pacific Ocean. The triangle has its apex at the Hawaiian Islands in the north and its base angles at New Zealand (Aotearoa) in the west and Easter Island (Rapa Nui) in the east. It also includes (from northwest to southeast) Tuvalu, Tokelau, Wallis and Futuna, Samoa (formerly Western Samoa), American Samoa, Tonga, Niue, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia (Tahiti and the other Society Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Austral Islands, and the Tuamotu Archipelago, including the Gambier Islands [formerly the Mangareva Islands]), and Pitcairn Island.
At the turn of the 21st century, about 70 percent of the total population of Polynesia resided in Hawaii. Polynesian cultures have been radically altered by Western colonialism. Britannica Quiz. Pacific values | Tapasā. Each island has unique traditions, customs, languages, and identity. Values such as respect, service, leadership, family, belonging, and relationships are important within Pacific cultures. The values that Pacific learners hold will also be informed by living and working in New Zealand.
As with any group, there may be just as many similarities as differences across the learners you see every day. When you understand the values of Pacific peoples you are in a better position to respond and acknowledge their differences. Your learners bring values that are important and matter to them. This includes cultural behaviour, ideals, standards, and morals.
Understanding different Pacific values will help you to communicate with your learners and their families and communities in a culturally responsive way. Cultural Practices & Protocols by Ministry of Pacific Peoples. Cultural Etiquette in the Pacific Islands 0. Culture and identity. Fa‘asamoa – Samoan culture The concept of fa‘asamoa is essential to Samoan identity, and consists of a number of values and traditions: aiga (family) tautala Samoa (Samoan language) gafa (genealogies) matai (chiefly system) lotu (church) fa‘alavelave (ceremonial and other family obligations).
There are also the associated values of alofa (love), tautua (service), fa‘aaloalo (respect), feagaiga (a covenant between sibilings and others) and usita‘i (discipline). The fa‘asamoa practised in Samoa may differ from that in New Zealand. Not every Samoan has the same understanding of the concept. What remains constant is maintaining the family and links with the homeland. Fa‘asamoa in New Zealand In 1998 one New Zealand-born Samoan described what it means to follow fa‘asamoa: ‘The fa‘asamoa is: go to church, be a good Samoan, and that means to try your best at education, and looking after family, and go to family functions, plus that we've got to look after them when they're old.’ 1 Language.