essay

Hawaiian art and society: traditions and transformations

transformations of polynesian culture • (45) • Published In 1985 • Pages: 105-131

By: Kaeppler, Adrienne Lois.

Abstract

Kaeppler examines changes in design of feathered cloaks ('AHU'ULA) worn by people of high rank and relates it to changing social relations in Hawaiian society. She identifies two transitional periods, at either end of Kamehameha I's reign. Cloaks were a symbol of genealogical prestige and conferred sacred protection during ceremonies and in battle, where their high collars did afford some real protection. The introduction of firearms made the cloaks obsolete as armor, however they continued to serve a ceremonial function. As chiefs became more powerful the tributary supply of feathers became more plentiful, resulting in chiefs giving away extra cloaks to lesser chiefs for status verification. The sacred color of red lost its preeminent symbolic status to yellow, a color of real political power, because yellow feathers were most rare and more difficult to obtain. Kaeppler also discusses the changes in ritual paraphernalia associated with the change in the principal god from Lono, the god of fertility, to Kuka'ilimoku, the god of war.

HRAF PubDate

2003

Region

Oceania

Sub Region

Polynesia

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 2002

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1778-1823

Coverage Place

Hawai'i, United States

Notes

Adrienne L. Kaeppler

Includes bibliographical references (p. 130-131)

LCSH

Hawaiians