book chapter

Historical ethnography: [volume 1]

Anahulu : the anthropology of history in the Kingdom of Hawaii, by Patrick V. Kirch and Marshall Sahlins • Chicago • Published In 1992 • Pages: xi, 243

By: Sahlins, Marshall David, Barrère, Dorothy B..

Abstract

In this study of land records, archeology, government and missionary archival material, and oral histories, Sahlins examines the changing social relations in Hawaiian society as it became incorporated into the capitalist world system. In the period between 1778 and 1855 Hawaiian political landscape changed from a centralized native kinship to an oligarchy of chiefs and then to a constitutional monarchy dominated by Whites. Sahlins argues that these political changes coincided with changes in Hawaii's articulation with the world economy, first as provisioners to ships engaged in the Northwest Coast to China fur trade (1778-1812), then suppliers of sandalwood to the China trade (1812-1830), and finally as provisioners to whaling ships (after 1830). The trade spurred status rivalry among the chiefs who overworked and eventually alienated their people, leaving the chiefs powerless to oppose the in-coming Whites. Sahlins describes in detail the political economy, including land tenure and land use of each period, focusing on the Anahulu valley of O'ahu, where there is an extensive archeological record. For an indigenous perspective on this time period, see Kame'eleihiwa (1992, document no. 16).

HRAF PubDate

2003

Region

Oceania

Sub Region

Polynesia

Document Type

book chapter

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 2002

Field Date

1970-1981

Coverage Date

1778- 1860

Coverage Place

Waialua, O'ahu, Hawai'i, United States

Notes

Marshall Sahlins with the assistance of Dorothy B. Barrère

Includes bibliographical references (p. 225-235) and index

LCCN

91033830

LCSH

Hawaiians