The history of Polynesian art reflects the diversity of the region as well as its tumultuous history. Folklore, fertility and the supernatural were the principal themes, expressed through a variety of media. Masks, ornamented vessels and totemic figures were often used for spiritual rituals, ceremonies and protection. Other common art forms of Polynesia include wood carvings, textiles, stone carving, tattoos, petroglyphs an and paintings.
History
Early forms of Polynesian art are concerned with the mythology of the South Pacific. The Polynesians depicted their gods with ceremonial images and carvings, known as tiki. These tiki statues paid tribute to a god, as well as its attribute or power. The most commonly represented gods were Kane, the god of creation; Ku, the god of war; Lono, the god of peace and agriculture; and Kanaloa, the god of the sea realm.
Time Frame
Polynesian art underwent a monumental upheaval in the 19th century when missionaries arrived on the island with the purpose of converting the indigenous people. The missionaries found the tiki idols a threat to their spiritual beliefs and set to destroying many of them. However, several missionaries also collected these statues, sending them to Europe or the United States for safekeeping. An onslaught of colonists, sailors, pirates and explorers also depleted the region's historical artifacts.
Effects
While indigenous religious art was destroyed or suppressed, several Polynesian secular art traditions persisted. Printing on bark cloth, weaving mats and carving bowls survived these circumstances. It is also notable that, although the region's religion underwent dramatic changes, many local people held onto their traditional customs or followed a hybridized form of them. This phenomena is manifested in contemporary tiki carvings that incorporate centuries-old techniques as well as religious rituals that integrate Hawaiian chants with Christian prayer.
Fun Fact
There is a series of ancient petroglyphs, or rock carvings, that archaeologists found in Hawaiian lava fields. Although much of the images have been damaged over time, it is easy to identify aspects of coastal life, such as canoes, sea life, fishing tools and sails. Some petroglyphs show a human figure that appears to be astride on a flat board, which some historians assert depicts one of the earliest images of surfing.
Misconceptions
These days, some people associate the tiki culture revival with Polynesian art. Whether the kitsch of tiki bars share common ground with ancient Oceanis belief systems is a matter of debate. However, it is clear that contemporary tiki iconography draws inspiration from the symbolism of ancient Polynesian temples, masks, offerings and totems. Then there is the backdrop to these sites and images, clearly an inspiration for today's tiki clubs. Bamboo and umbrella drinks evoke the tropical origins of Polynesian culture, though they are far from authentic elements of traditional tiki mythology.
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