Post #405430 by Toataiaha on Mon, Sep 1, 2008 11:29 PM

On 2008-09-01 23:16, Tipua wrote:
On 2008-09-01 21:33, Toataiaha wrote:

Despite the fantasies of some , TIKI are not world wide , Pacific wide , or Polynesia wide .

"" From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article is about the large Polynesian carvings in humanoid form. For other uses, see Tiki (disambiguation).

In Central Eastern Polynesian cultures of the Pacific Ocean, tiki is a name given to large carvings of humanoid form. These carvings often serve to mark the boundaries of sacred or significant sites. The word appears as tiki in New Zealand Mâori, Cook Islands Mâori, Tuamotuan, and Marquesan; as ti'i in Tahitian, and as ki'i in Hawaiian. The word has not been recorded from the languages of Western Polynesia or of Rapanui (Easter Island). ""

Hmmm... That's interesting.

But Samoans would've had an equilavent to tiki surely?
Humans everywhere (especially in the Pacific) carved images in wood and stone. Is Samoa an exception? I'd be suprised if Samoa didn't create similar objects, if not under the name tiki then something else (like Rapanui moai for instance). No carved objects in humanoid form similar to tiki were apparent to me in Samoa. I still blame the missionaries! :)

Be surprised then.
Do the research .
Find examples or records of pre-missionary examples , of that , that you are adamant existed .

Conversely , consult Samoan carvers , who have training in both the craft and its history , and accept their expertise .

I have , and I do .

Missionaries are responsible for massive cultural destruction ,
but in blaming then for a crime that they did not commit , you exceed them in evil .

There is not , and never was a Pan Polynesian culture.

In the heart of my soul . I would that I had been born in Celtic lands
But I was born here . a Celt in Maori lands . And my heart is content

[ Edited by: Toataiaha 2008-09-01 23:30 ]