The Polynesian Methodology

The ancient Polynesians were a distinctive people of the Pacific islands. They were great sailors, exploring the ocean in search of new territories. They had remarkable knowledge of the stars, winds, and ocean currents.

Historians and language experts believe Polynesians may have originated from Taiwan, migrating in canoes to the Philippines then to the Bismarck Archipelago. From these people, the Lapida culture, an Ancient Pacific Ocean Archeological culture, developed.

According to archaeological evidence, Austronesian speakers, believed to find their origin in Taiwan, spread through South-East Asia, into western Micronesia and Melanesia between 3000 and 1000 BC.

                             Polynesian Migration

Within three or four centuries, the Lapita culture spread 6000 km further to the east from the Bismarck Archipelago, until it reached as far as Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

It is believed that the distinctive Polynesian culture started to emerge in this region.

At around 1600–1200 BC, the Lapita culture started to expand from New Guinea to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. During that time, the aspects of the Polynesian culture were clearly noticeable.

By approximately 300 BC, this new Polynesian people spread from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to the Cook Islands, Tahiti, the Tuamotu and the Marquesas Islands.

Between 300 and 500 AD, the Polynesians discovered and settled Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Archaeological records as well as the introduction of flora and fauna consistent with the Polynesian culture and characteristic of the tropics to this subtropical island support this theory.

The Polynesians followed their path and settled Hawai’i at around 500 AD and Aotearoa (New Zealand) at around 1000 AD, where they became known as Maori. The migration of the Polynesians is quite impressive considering that each of the islands are spread out over great distances—the Pacific Ocean covers nearly a half of the Earth's surface area.

According to some linguists, archaeologists, anthropologists as well as some geneticists who have been investigating human history, Polynesian ancestors did originate from East Asia but did not move rapidly through Melanesia; they interacted with and mixed extensively with Melanesians, leaving behind their genes and incorporating many Melanesian genes before colonizing the Pacific.

        Polynesian Triangle

Based on the entire methodology, Polynesia is referred to as the "triangle" with the northern point in the islands of Hawai'i, the southeastern point at Easter Island, and the southwestern point at New Zealand.

                                                                          Polynesian Speakers    

       www.pakahiki.com

The Polynesian migration lasted about 2000 years. Not all Polynesian cultures are exactly alike.

The distances between islands of Polynesia resulted in similarities but also differences in the culture, languages, religions and customs.

Living Languages in French Polynesia

The tracing of Polynesian languages emphasizes their prehistoric origins to the Malay Archipelago. Today in the islands of Tahiti, a majority of the residents speak both French and Tahitian. On the more isolated islands, older residents continue to speak a local language; and in the isolated Austral Islands, languages differ from island to island.

Over the years, these languages have become more homogeneous, and Tahitian has begun to replace local languages. Older Chinese residents speaking the Hakka dialect can illustrate this, as opposed to the younger generations speaking French and often Tahitian. Nevertheless, many dialects and languages are still living and spoken among the islands.

Below we have listed the known languages spoken throughout French Polynesia.

Tubuai-Rurutu- This language is spoken in the Austral (Tubuai) Islands. Four dialects are also spoken including Raivavae, Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai. The roots of this language are Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian,Tahitic

Chinese-Hakka- The language root is believed to be Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

French- The roots are from Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French

Mangarevan- Mangarevan is spoken in the Gambier Islands, on the island of Mangareva and the Rikitea settlement. It has a lexical similarity 75% with Rarotongan, 73% with Marquesan, 72% with Paumotu, 50% to 68% with Tahitian. This language roots are Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Marquesic

Marquesan, North- This language is spoken in the Marquesas Islands, more specifically on Hatutaa, Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka, Ua Pou islands. Several dialects are also spoken featuring the Hatutaa, Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka, Ua Pou. North Marquesan and South Marquesan are said to be two different languages. They have a lexical similarity of 45% to 67% with Tahitian, 73% with Mangarevan and Rarotongan, 70% with Hawaiian, 29% with Paumotu. The roots come from Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Marquesic

Marquesan, South- This language is spoken in the south islands of the Marquesas such as Hiva Oa, Tahuata, Fatu Hiva islands. Three dialects also exist featuring Hiva Oa, Tahuata, Fatu Hiva. The roots of this language are Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Marquesic

Rapa- Rapa is spoken in the Austral Islands, more specifically in Rapa (Rapa Iti) Island, and two villages, Ha'urei and 'Area. The origins are Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian

Tahitian- Tahitian is spoken in the Society Islands and some atolls in the Tuamotu including the Mihiroa group. It is also spoken in New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. There is a lexical similarity of 85% with Rarotongan, 76% with Hawaiian. The origins are Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Tahitic

Paumotu- It is spoken in the Tuamotu islands. Several dialects are spoken such as Vahitu, Tapuhoe, Napuka, Reao, Fangatau (Tupitimoake), Parata (Putahi), Marangai. Paumotu has a lexical similarity of 83% with Rarotongan, 77% with Hawaiian. The roots are Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Tahitic

Geography has greatly influenced the Marquesans and their culture. The isolation of different groups hidden in deep valleys and separated by ridges and stretches of “no-man's land” discouraged the development of a political unity and promoted a more egalitarian society.

Some conquerors established a hierarchy of professional priests, artisans, warriors and advisors. The agricultural surplus under the control of these chiefs gave them the means to promote their own power and prestige. This led to the creation of elaborated religious and ceremonial structures.

As the expansionist chiefs were after the domination of other groups, inter-tribal cannibalism became common, and defeated groups were frequently forced to leave the islands in the search of a new home.

By approximately 1300 AD, the Marquesans had already reached an estimated population of 100,000. Huge fortification edifices were built on the central plateaus of the islands. Earthworks, wooden and stone palisades and other defensive structures were built as high observation points, and massive channels made access between each of the valleys very difficult.

The rough nature of their islands led to the development of a proud and independent people, prone to conflict and tribal exclusivity. However, stability was well maintained throughout the islands.

The original settlers from the western Polynesian islands brought with them a cultural heritage, which remained omnipresent in Marquesan society. As certain myths and legends spread out throughout the Polynesian world, so were distinctive images and aesthetic ideals. The Marquesan artisans favored the wise and potent ancestor Tiki, considered throughout Polynesia as the creator of the human race. It is frequently carved in large freestanding wood and stone figures on clubs, bowls, dishes, canoe paddles, and stilt steps to name a few.
         www.tribalsite.com

Tiki Ke'a, as the Marquesans knew him, was generally portrayed as a short, heavy figure of inscrutable appearance and menacing power. Throughout Polynesia, the Tiki figure is carved with hands over a hanging stomach, with large round eyes, a flat but prominent nose and an oval mouth. These abstract design elements, which came from natural forms, i.e. flora and fauna, became a decorative reference among Marquesans.

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Sources:
www.tribalsite.com
www.ethnologue.com
www.Polynesianislands.com
www.about.com
www.everyculture.com
The Kingfisher Encyclopedia