Polynesians - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage PRONUNCIATION: PAHL-uh-nee-zhuns LOCATION: Polynesia, a vast string of islands in the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii, New Zealand, Easter Island, Tonga, and French Polynesia POPULATION: Unknown LANGUAGE: Native languages of the islands; Maori; Tahitian; French; English RELIGION: Christianity with elements of native religion The Polynesians are the original inhabitants of a vast string of islands in the Pacific Ocean, from New Zealand in the south to Hawaii in the north. In the Pacific region, there is an important distinction between "high" islands and "low" islands. At the time of the first known European contact with the Polynesian world in the 1500s, there were probably around half a million people scattered throughout the region. The Polynesian languages are part of the larger Austronesian language family that includes most of the languages of the Pacific Basin. Many Polynesian languages face an uncertain future. Greetings in Polynesian societies vary from island to island.
The Hawaiian Culture - Hawaii History - Hawaiian Culture A Culture Unfolds The roots of Hawaiian culture stretch south to older areas of Polynesia and beyond to the islands of the Western Pacific and the edges of Asia. The first settlers to Hawai`i brought with them the more ancient Polynesian traditions and lifestyles. Over generations, they adapted their beliefs and ways of living to accommodate their new island home, adding new gods like Pele to their pantheon and honing new skills such as surfing. As a distinct Hawaiian culture took shape, it grew in response to Oahu's forests and coral reefs, Molokai's shallow offshore waters, Kauai's steep valleys, Maui's high summit and Hawai`i Island's ever-changing volcanic lands. Differences between Hawai`i and the larger Polynesian family grew more pronounced once the era of transpacific migrations ended.
Hawaii Ethnicity Hawaii - an Ethnically Mixed Plate Hawaii is one of the most racially diverse places in the world as there is no majority - everyone is in a minority. In the 2010 Census, 23.6% of Hawaii residents claimed multi-ethnic backgrounds (two or more races), far more than any other state in the USA (the second highest is Alaska with 7.3%). You will find a "mixed plate" of ethnic groups in Hawaii; 38.6% of Hawaii's population is Asian, 24.7% is White, 10% is Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders, 8.9% is Hispanic, 1.6% is Black or African American, 0.3% is American Indian and Alaska Native, and 23.6% of all Hawaii residents are of multi-ethnic background (two or more races). As Hawaii has become home to many different ethnic groups over the last 200 years, each ethnic group has added elements of its own culture to local life. A century later, in 1878, the native population had dropped to an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people.
Hawaii Weather | Weather in Hawaii | Go Hawaii Weather in The Hawaiian Islands is very consistent, with only minor changes in temperature throughout the year. There are really only two seasons in Hawaii: summer (kau) from May to October and winter (hooilo) from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85° F (29.4° C), while the average daytime winter temperature is 78° (25.6° C). Temperature & Climate Zones The islands are an incredible collection of diverse micro-environments, each with its own unique weather plants and animals. Rainfall & Trade Winds Throughout the year, Hawaiian weather patterns are affected primarily by high-pressure zones in the north Pacific that pump cool, moist trade winds down onto the islands’ northeastern slopes. The wettest months are from November to March, but winter rains do not generally disrupt vacation plans, since the weather is very localized. The Hawaiian Islands’ trade winds mean there is almost always a cooling breeze here.
Hawaiian literature Hawaiian literature has its origins in Polynesian mythology. It was originally preserved and expanded solely through oral traditions, as the ancient Hawaiians never developed a writing system.[1] Written literature in the Hawaiian language and literary works in other languages by authors resident in Hawaii did not appear until the nineteenth century, when the arrival of American missionaries introduced the English language, the Latin alphabet, and Western notions of composition to the kingdom. The earliest compilations of traditional Hawaiian writing were made by John Papa ʻĪʻī, Samuel Kamakau, Kepelino Keauokalani, and David Malo.[2] They were succeeded by King Kalākaua, Martha Beckwith, Abraham Fornander, and William Drake Westervelt, all of whom produced later collections retelling or adapting Hawaii's oral histories. List of Hawaii authors[edit] List of magazines[edit] References[edit] ^ Jump up to: a b Dudoit, Mahealani (1999).
Pele, Hawaii Goddess of Fire: Hawaiian Legend ⋆ Mythical Realm Pele Searches for Home © 2004 by Angela Treat Lyon Pele the Fire Goddess – Pronounced peh-leh or pel-lə – is one of the most well known and revered in Hawaiian mythology. As a sign of respect you may hear her referred to as Madame Pele or Tutu Pele. She is a goddess of fire, lightning, dance, wind, volcanoes and violence. No Kahiki mai ka wahine `o Pele, Mai ka `aina mai o Polapola, Mai ka punohu a Kane, Mai ke ao lapa i ka lani. Translation: The woman Pele comes from Kahiki, From the land of Polapola, From the rising mist of Kane, From the clouds that move in the sky. According to legend, Pele lives in one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The Hawaiian (Polynesian) goddess of the volcano, she was born in Honua-Mea, part of Tahiti. There are a number of variations in the legends that tell of how Pele first came to the Hawaiian Islands. All the while, Pele battles with her sister Namakaokahai who is a Sea Goddess. Related Blog Post: Sightings of the Hawaiian Volcano Goddess
Welcome! - The Hopi Tribe Hawaiian Art | Boundless Art History Pre-European Hawaiian Art Hawaiian art can be divided into pre-European art, non-native art, and art produced by Hawaiians incorporating western ideas. Learning Objectives Evaluate indiginous Hawaiian art Key Takeaways Key Points Hawaiian art can be divided into pre-European art, non-native art, and art produced by Hawaiians incorporating western ideas.Polynesians arrived in Hawaii 1,000–2,000 years ago, and in 1778 Captain James Cook and his crew became the first Europeans to visit Hawaii, calling it the Sandwich Islands.Traditional Hawaiian art includes wood carvings, feather work, petroglyphs, bark cloth (called kapa in Hawaiian), and tattoos.Kapa is a fabric made by Native Hawaiians from the bast fibers of certain species of trees and shrubs; it is based primarily on linear elements and used primarily for clothing, bed covers, robes, and banners. Key Terms Overview: Hawaii Hawaii represents the northernmost extension of the vast Polynesian triangle of the south and central Pacific Ocean.
Passions of Pele: The Hawaiian Goddess of Fire Kilauea, one of earth’s most active volcanoes located on the island of Hawaii, is believed to be inhabited by a family of gods. One member of the family has become the most visible of all the old gods and goddesses of Hawaii. Her name is Pele, the goddess of fire, lightning, wind and volcanoes as well as the creator of the Hawaiian Islands. Pele by David Howard Hitchcock, circa 1929. ( Public Domain ) Mai Kahiki ka wahine, o Pele, Mai ka aina i Pola-pola, Mai ka punohu ula a Kane, Mai ke ao lalapa i ka lani, 5 Mai ka opua lapa i Kahiki. (From Kahiki came the woman, Pele, From the land of Pola-pola, From the red cloud of Kane, Cloud blazing in the heavens, 5 Fiery cloud-pile in Kahiki.) “Unwritten Literature of Hawaii”, by Nathaniel B. In one version of Pele’s legend, she is the daughter of Kane-hoa-lani, the ruler of heavens, and Haumea, the goddess of fertility and childbirth, in the mystical land of Kuaihelani. Like this Preview and want to read on? By Martini Fisher
Japan Geography Location Japan consists of several thousands of islands, of which Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are the four largest. Japan's closest neighbors are Korea, Russia and China. The Sea of Japan separates the Asian continent from the Japanese archipelago. Area Japan's area is comparable to that of Germany or California. Population The population of Japan is about 125,000,000, including approximately three million foreign residents. Earthquakes and Volcanoes Because Japan is located in a region, where several continental plates meet, the country experiences frequent earthquakes. Climate Due to the large north-south extension of the country, the climate varies strongly in different regions. Geography Related Pages
Cuisine of Hawaii As pineapple and sugarcane plantations grew, so did the demand for labor, bringing many immigrant groups to the Islands between 1850 and 1930. Immigrant workers from China, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Portugal arrived in Hawaii, introducing their new foods and influencing the region. The introduction of new ethnic foods, such as Chinese char siu bao (manapua), Portuguese sweet bread and malasadas, and the Japanese bento, combined with the existing indigenous, European, and American foods in the plantation working environments and in the local communities. History[edit] Pre-contact period[edit] Kukui foliage, flowers, and nut (candlenut) was brought to Hawaii by Polynesians. Sea salt was a common condiment in ancient Hawaii,[10] and Inamona, a relish made of roasted, mashed kukui nutmeats, sea salt and sometimes mixed with seaweeds, often accompanied the meals.[10] At important occasions, a traditional feast, ‘aha‘aina, was held. Post-contact period[edit] Spam[edit]