About the Polynesian Culture
Polynesia is a nearly 3,000-mile long group of islands in the eastern central Pacific Ocean. It is a triangular-shaped geographical area that peaks in the north at Hawaii. The western angle lies at New Zealand and the eastern angle rests at Easter Island. Some of the other islands in Polynesia include Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia. According to studies of genetic DNA, Polynesians may be descendants of people from Southeast Asia, including Taiwan.
Traveled from Island to Island
In the past, archaeologists believed that the Polynesians did not communicate from island to island. This is because the languages in the eastern and western islands are very different. However, research indicates that these prehistoric islanders traveled long distances to find basalt for making tools. For example, early Polynesians carried the basalt from the quarries on present-day American Samoa to islands as far away as 1,000 miles to the east. They started transporting the stone at least 2,000 years ago.
Navigation System
The ancient Polynesians spent a great deal of time on the sea, navigating to other islands by following the sun, stars, cloud formations and bird migrations. "Kaweinga" was name given to the star or constellation of stars that helped them steer in the right direction and reach their desired destinations.
Did They Travel to South America?
Some archaeologists believe that the Polynesians were such skilled seafaring adventurers that they traveled as far as what is now South America. In the Polynesian language, the word for sweet potato is "kumara" or "kumala." It is very popular in Polynesia, but was first grown in the Andes.
Water Transport
Each early culture around the world had its own form of sailing vessels. The Polynesians' main watercraft was made up of two canoe hulls placed side by side and connected by a tied crossbeam. The 50- to 60-foot vessel was stable enough to transport about 12 family members as well as their personal goods and equipment, a storage area and living and working space. The sails, constructed of open-weave matting like an early catamaran, moved quickly through the waters as the Polynesians paddled the canoes with long oars.
Rich Cultural Mix
Because the Polynesian Islands have varying geographical climates and consist of a number of different societies and groups, there is a rich heritage of food, music and dance. For example, there are many diverse folktales and myths both about humans and cultural traditions. Tattooing is part of the early culture, and a number of early celebrations included these body designs with symbolic meanings. Men and women once wore similar simple, bark clothing. The main foods were fish, vegetables, fruits and flowers. Taro was the main food staple.
European Expansion
When European explorers traveled to Polynesia in the 16th century, about 500,000 residents lived across all the islands. Several European nations vied for ownership of this strategic area, and the natives were victimized. They lost their homelands and resources, and had to face racism and European imperialism. Today, many of the Polynesian languages are going extinct, although there is an effort to retain them.
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