Polynesia is a vast part of Oceania, stretching from the Solomon Islands, through the Cook Islands, Samoa, Niue, and Kiribati, all the way to Hawaii.
This photo is from the 1870s. It was taken on the Samoan Islands, located near New Guinea, by G. Riemer. During his expedition from 1874 to 1877, the traveler visited East Asia and the islands of the South Pacific. We are able to show his photographs thanks to the courtesy of Mr. Wolfgang Wiggers, who collects historical photos.
More than half of the population there still consists of indigenous Polynesians living far from technology and other cultures.
The origin of Polynesians was unknown for a long time. For many years, it was believed that the ancestors of the tribe members came from Melanesia. As we read on newswise.com, their kinship should be traced to Taiwanese Aborigines and the inhabitants of Micronesia.
The Polynesian community surprises with its cohesion. Despite being spread across 16 island groups, the Polynesian language is very similar among all the tribes.
Despite the distances between them, each community has similar traditions that have remained unchanged over the centuries.
This is one of the photos of the writer and traveler Robert Louis Stevenson. He decided to capture himself with a tribe from the Samoan Islands. As we can read on theculturetrip.com, Oceania and the Polynesians made such an impression on Stevenson that the writer settled there.
The most important concept that unites all Polynesians is 'mana'. The PWN Encyclopedia describes it as an impersonal force with supernatural powers. According to beliefs, mana permeates everything that is alive as well as the dead. It can take the form of wealth, knowledge, skill, etc. Mana can be gained by believers, but it can also be lost due to their actions, or it can be taken by another object or being.
This form of belief has a significant impact on social status within the tribe. The more mana one possesses, the higher they are in the hierarchy. As further explained in the PWN Encyclopedia, religion is closely connected to the cult of chiefs. Therefore, the highest in the hierarchy are the leaders, but also the priests, who perform both medical and prophetic functions. Below them are artisans, fishermen, and farmers.
The deep beliefs of Polynesians and their attachment to tradition have a profound influence on their reverence for ancestors. Such a strong attachment to tradition has led to a complete separation from the rest of the world.
The strong role of magic among the tribes has developed dance. During the rituals led by the priest, believers had to observe and imitate his movements. These movements brought joy and ecstasy, leading to the purification of the soul. This tradition has been preserved to this day. During the Siva dance, Polynesians wear traditional clothing called lavalava (for men) and puletasi (for women).
