Kava and Kea: Difference between pages

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[[File:Polynesia-triangle.png|thumb|right|(1)Polynesia, (2)Hawai'i, (3)New Zealand, (4)Easter Island, (5)Samoa, (6)Fiji, (7)Tahiti[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Polynesia-triangle.png][1]]]
[[File:Ka%27ava-1.gif|right|thumb|311px]]


'''Polynesia''' is part of the '''South Pacific''' typically defined as all the islands within in the triangle made by Hawai'i, [[New Zealand]], and [[Easter Island]], but also includes the island groups of Fiji and [[Samoa]]. Some other notable Polynesian islands are [[Tahiti]] and the French Polynesians (which contains the [[Marquesas Islands]]).
'''The Marquesas Islands''' are an island group in French Polynesia. The islands are approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) northeast of [[Tahiti]], and were first settled almost 2000 years ago by the Polynesians.


Polynesia and the rest of the South Pacific is an important area in the history of tattooing. The rich and diverse tattoo heritage of the islands was one of the inspirations of James Cook, and other early explorers, to bring back the art of tattoo to Europe in the 17th century.  
The islands deserve a mention here as the '''Marquesan tattoo'''ing tradition has had a great influence on today's artists.


== Contents ==
== Contents ==
* 1 [[#Raiatea|Raiatea]]
# [[#Marquesan_Tattoo_Tradition|Marquesan Tattoo Tradition]]
* 2 [[#Lapita|Lapita]]
# [[#Hand_Tattoos|Hand Tattoos]]
* 3 [[#Polynesian_Tattoo|Polynesian Tattoo]]
# [[#Marquesan_Motifs|Marquesan Motifs]]
  * 3.1 [[#Tuhuna|Tuhuna]]
# [[#Ear_Tattooing|Ear Tattooing]]
  * 3.2 [[#Kava|Kava]]
# [[#Other_Tattoo_Traditions|Other Tattoo Traditions]]
* 4 [[#Polynesian_Islands_and_their_Tattoos|Polynesian Islands and their Tattoos]]
# [[#Related_Articles|Related Articles]]
* 5 [[#See_Also|See Also]]
# [[#External_Links|External Links]]


== Raiatea ==
==Marquesan Tattoo Tradition==
Tradition has it that '''Raiatea''' is the cradle of Polynesian Civilization. In ancient times it was called Havai'i fanau'arefenu, meaning Havai'i the cradle of all lands. According to tales collected by Ethnologist Peter Buck, Tahiti and the little islands of the Windward group were created from an earth-fish that drifted from Havai'i in southwesterly direction, splitting itself along the way to become those islands existing today.
Boys received their first tattoos in their teens in a ritual setting, and by old age often had tattoos all over their bodies. Women were also tattooed, but nowhere near as extensively as the men.


== Lapita ==
The designs share many symbolic motifs, but were never copied entirely; every individual's tattoos were different and signified his position in the family.
'''Lapita''' is the early culture of the Polynesia. The culture is most often discussed in context of its pottery, which exhibit possible tattoo patterns of the early Polynesians like the [[Jomon]] of Japan.  


Lapita pottery bore incised decorations consisting of V-shaped elements, interlocking geometrical patterns, and stylized motifs resembling masks and sea creatures. Similar motifs are found in tattoo designs throughout Polynesia, and even the technique of incising the designs as a series of closely spaced punctures or stipples suggests that the technique used in the decoration of pottery was similar to that used in tattooing.
The sailors on board the ships of Captain [[James Cook]] and other explorers from the West brought tattooing back with them, influenced by the designs they had seen on the inhabitants of these islands. These early tattoos, on the bodies of sailors, began the reintroduction of tattooing to the West.


It is believed the Lapita who arrived from Southeast Asia over 4,000 years ago started tattooing in Samoa and variations of it spread across the island groups of the South Pacific. By the 1820s, Europeans had nearly wiped it out completely. A resurgence of it started in the 1970s and is growing steadily.
While tattooing is still performed on the Marquesas Islands, the images no longer carry their former significance, and are generally done with a [[Tattoo Machine]] rather than by the traditional method.


== Polynesian Tattoo ==
==Hand Tattoos==
[[File:Tuhuna.jpg|right]]
'''Hand tattooing''' is an important part of Marquesan tattooing, containing both specific iconography and individualized application. While some designs are male or female oriented, there is some interchange between the two.


Tattooing was practiced in nearly all Pacific Island cultures. The origin may go back as far as the initial migration and colonization of the Pacific. Although tattooing is as old and widely distributed as any other Pacific decorative art, it has gone largely unrecognized as a fine art. In traditional Polynesian cultures, the tattoo flourished over any other means of body modification or decoration, including clothing.  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! [[File:Marquesan_hand_tattoo-1.gif|200px|thumb|none|Male hand tattoos]]
! [[File:Marquesan_hand_tattoo-2.gif|150px|thumb|none|Female hand tattoos.]]
|}


The following are some common aspects of Polynesian tattooing:
==Marquesan Motifs==
The following are a few examples on hands of '''Marquesan tattoo motifs'''.


=== Tuhuna ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
''Tuhuna'' is the traditional Polynesian term for a tattoo master. As in modern culture, an apprenticeship was also required to become a Tuhuna master tattooist. However, unlike Japanese or North American apprenticeships, to become a Tuhuna one had to learn the taboos that accompanied the craft. Once someone had acquired the necessary skills they became highly respected within the village and well known for his or her skill.
|-
! colspan="3" |
|-
! [[File:Fanaua-1.gif|150px|thumb|none|''Fanaua'' is a kind of evil spirit]]
! [[File:Nutu_Kaha-1.gif|147px|thumb|none|''Nutu Kaha'' symbolizes a mouth or muzzle, and has a number of different versions.]]
! [[File:Piaotiu-1.gif|150px|thumb|none|''Piaotiu'' means "to fold or to make into bundles."]]
|-
! [[File:Pohu-1.gif|150px|thumb|none|''Pohu'' is a legendary character.]]
! [[File:Poka%27a-1.gif|150px|thumb|none|''Poka'a'' symbolizes a wooden shoulder rest used for carrying a pole]]
! [[File:Ka%27ava-1.gif|150px|thumb|none|''Ka'ava'', meaning "ridge pole," often running centrally down the hand.]]
|-
! [[File:Ka%27ake-1.gif|150px|thumb|none|''Ka'ake'' represents the armpit, but it is not tattooed ''on'' the armpit per se]]
! [[File:Kea-1.gif|150px|thumb|none|''Kea'' can represent the woodlouse, the tortoise or a carved plaque of a tortoise shell and has a number of variations.]]
! [[File:Koua%27ehi-1.gif|150px|thumb|none|''Koua'ehi'' represents coconut leaves.]]
|-
! [[File:Po%27i%27i-1.gif|150px|thumb|none|''Poi'i'' represents a coiled shellfish and has many versions.]]
! [[File:Hei_ta%27vahna-1.gif|60px|thumb|center|''Hei ta'vahna'' representing a crown of cock's feathers, sometimes tattooed across the palm.]]
! [[File:Mata-1.gif|150px|thumb|none|''Mata'' represents eyes and has many variations.]]
|}


=== Kava ===
==Ear Tattooing==
''Kava'' is a slightly narcotic beverage that was served before tattooing ceremonies. In olden times it was distributed before going to war or attending religious ceremonies. It was also meant as a token of hospitality offered and accepted, thereby symbolizing alliance.
Tattooing of the ear (puaina) was usually, but certainly not always, limited to women.


== Polynesian Islands and their Tattoos ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
* New Zealand / [[Aotearoa]]
|-
  * [[Kirituhi]]
! [[File:Marquesan_ear_tattoo-1.gif|664px|thumb|none|Common ear tattoo motifs]]
  * [[Moko]]
! [[File:Omuo_puaina-1.gif|126px|thumb|center|''Omuo Piana'' is similar to a carved bone earring.]]
  * [[Once Were Warriors]]
|}
* [[Samoa]]
* [[Tahiti]]
* [[Marquesas Islands]]
* [[Easter Island]]


== See Also ==
==Other Tattoo Traditions==
* [[Marshall Islands]]
* Shoulders were commonly tattooed in Marquesan culture. This particular one is a band across the arm, just below the fall of the shoulder, on a woman of Tai-Pi Vai, Nuku Hiva.


Category page: '''[[Category:Polynesian]]'''
[[File:Marquesan_shoulder_tattoo-1.gif|center|thumb|188px|(based on a sketch by E. S. Handy)]]
 
* Traditionally some Marquesan women tattooed their lips, also called ''koniho''.
 
[[File:Koniho.jpg|center|thumb|431px|]]
 
==Related Articles==
*[[Tribal]]
*[[Polynesia]]
 
==External Links==
*[http://www.airtahitimagazine.com/us_version/tahiti_mag.asp?num=24&art=2 Marquesan Tattooing - Air Tahiti magazine article]

Latest revision as of 06:39, 17 September 2023

Ka'ava-1.gif

The Marquesas Islands are an island group in French Polynesia. The islands are approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) northeast of Tahiti, and were first settled almost 2000 years ago by the Polynesians.

The islands deserve a mention here as the Marquesan tattooing tradition has had a great influence on today's artists.

Contents

  1. Marquesan Tattoo Tradition
  2. Hand Tattoos
  3. Marquesan Motifs
  4. Ear Tattooing
  5. Other Tattoo Traditions
  6. Related Articles
  7. External Links

Marquesan Tattoo Tradition

Boys received their first tattoos in their teens in a ritual setting, and by old age often had tattoos all over their bodies. Women were also tattooed, but nowhere near as extensively as the men.

The designs share many symbolic motifs, but were never copied entirely; every individual's tattoos were different and signified his position in the family.

The sailors on board the ships of Captain James Cook and other explorers from the West brought tattooing back with them, influenced by the designs they had seen on the inhabitants of these islands. These early tattoos, on the bodies of sailors, began the reintroduction of tattooing to the West.

While tattooing is still performed on the Marquesas Islands, the images no longer carry their former significance, and are generally done with a Tattoo Machine rather than by the traditional method.

Hand Tattoos

Hand tattooing is an important part of Marquesan tattooing, containing both specific iconography and individualized application. While some designs are male or female oriented, there is some interchange between the two.

Male hand tattoos
Female hand tattoos.

Marquesan Motifs

The following are a few examples on hands of Marquesan tattoo motifs.

Fanaua is a kind of evil spirit
Nutu Kaha symbolizes a mouth or muzzle, and has a number of different versions.
Piaotiu means "to fold or to make into bundles."
Pohu is a legendary character.
Poka'a symbolizes a wooden shoulder rest used for carrying a pole
Ka'ava, meaning "ridge pole," often running centrally down the hand.
Ka'ake represents the armpit, but it is not tattooed on the armpit per se
Kea can represent the woodlouse, the tortoise or a carved plaque of a tortoise shell and has a number of variations.
Koua'ehi represents coconut leaves.
Poi'i represents a coiled shellfish and has many versions.
Hei ta'vahna representing a crown of cock's feathers, sometimes tattooed across the palm.
Mata represents eyes and has many variations.

Ear Tattooing

Tattooing of the ear (puaina) was usually, but certainly not always, limited to women.

Common ear tattoo motifs
Omuo Piana is similar to a carved bone earring.

Other Tattoo Traditions

  • Shoulders were commonly tattooed in Marquesan culture. This particular one is a band across the arm, just below the fall of the shoulder, on a woman of Tai-Pi Vai, Nuku Hiva.
(based on a sketch by E. S. Handy)
  • Traditionally some Marquesan women tattooed their lips, also called koniho.
Koniho.jpg

Related Articles

External Links

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