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It’s an unforgettably beautiful moment when the dark of night spreads across the isles of Polynesia. Above the shadowy depths of the sea and without light pollution, a cloak of millions of twinkling stars illuminates the blackness. The majesty of these celestial bodies perhaps explains why the stars were such an important part of ancient Polynesian society. These stars were used by early Polynesian explorers to navigate their canoes across the ocean and colonize innumerable islands across the South Pacific. On land, stellar activity decided the timing of the harvests, when to fish and even when to celebrate and pray. Take a trip with us through the Polynesian night sky.
«The night was moonless, but not dark. The stars increased in number and variety as the evening advanced, until the whole firmament was over-spread with luminaries of every magnitude and brilliancy… In the heaven and the ocean, all powers of vision were lost, while the brilliant lights in the one being reflected from the surface of the other, gave a correspondence to the appearance of both, and almost forced the illusion on the mind, that our little bark was suspended in the centre of two united hemi-spheres… No objects were visible but the lamps of heaven, and the luminous appearances of the deep. »
William Ellis, an explorer who visited Moorea and Huahine in the 1820s was captivated by the Polynesian sky. But the beautiful nocturnal show he describes from the period during his missionary work in his book Polynesian Researches, shouldn’t make us forget how important the celestial world was to pre-European Polynesian society. After guiding ancient Polynesians on their long voyages across the sea, the stars continued to guide them for many long years to come. In fact, Polynesians turned to the stars regularly to look for answers to their daily and spiritual concerns.
Following the path of the stars
Sky of sharks, legends and omens
Religion and daily life
An extremely precise lunar calendar
The stars go silent
Solar eclipse July 11th 2010
Eclipses in ancient times, the wrath of the gods
Following the path of the stars
The expression to «aim for the stars,» took on real meaning for early Polynesians who followed the lights in the sky to find and populate islands that are often described as paradise on Earth. Scientific theory states that the starting point of these great voyages, and thus the origin of the Polynesian people, was in Southeast Asia around modern day Taiwan. Between 1,000 and 1,500 BCE, these people called «Austronesians,» migrated to the east towards New Caledonia and then on to western Polynesia (modern day Fiji, Samoa and Tonga). Traveling in giant double outrigger canoes, they managed to colonize eastern Polynesia from around 700 BCE (the Cook Islands, Society Islands, Marquesas, Hawaiian Islands etc).
Without navigational tools such as the sextant or time keeping devices, these exceptionally talented navigators were capable of making voyages over thousands of miles by following the stars. Even though it’s known that ancient Polynesians were keen observers of natural phenomena such as sea currents and waves, it is been established that they systematically examined the position, trajectories and sparkle of the stars to find dry land.
Yet the techniques of early Polynesian navigation remain unsure. Scientists have taken experimental voyages, and have concluded that the stars played a major role in the peopling of far-flung Polynesia. They have even more specifically revealed that the ancient navigators followed a sort of astral path in the form of a trail of guiding stars. When we take the scientific findings and mix them with ancestrally transmitted oral histories, we can be sure that these guiding stars included Matari’i (Pleiades), Ana muri (Aldebaran), Te Matau o Maui (the tail of Scorpio) and Ana mua (Antares). Today, modern sailors admire and are perplexed by the knowledge, distance traveled and frequency of voyages made by early Polynesians that prove that they had a high mastery of their natural world.
© R. Plichard
Sky of sharks, legends and omens
As in other civilizations the sky was marked by the culture. Each star was known by its association with a legendary exploit, a symbol of Polynesian mythology or one of the many gods. The constellations, were associated with a particular form. Hooks, outrigger canoes, birds, kites or even sharks replaced Western constellations such as Ursa Major, Taurus, etc. The groups of stars were seen to form objects that were profoundly important in Polynesian culture and this shows the deep interest ancient Polynesians had for the heavenly bodies. This key role of the stars did not cease once Polynesians finished their long period of peopling the islands they discovered.
As polytheists, they developed a complex religious system in which the stars held an important role. William Ellis wrote: «The stars, which they call fetia or fetu, were by some considered as the children of the sun and moon ; by others, the progeny of a principal star. They are, however, generally supposed to be inhabited by spirits of the departed, or to be the spirits of human beings, several principal stars being designated by the names of distinguished men. The phenomenon called a shooting star, they supposed to be the flight of a spirit, and an omen of the birth of a great prince. »
Sometimes omens, good or bad, could be read from the night sky. Teuira Henry in her book Tahiti in Ancient Times stated : « When Venus and Jupiter appeared together many times right after sundown, it was concluded that two chiefs were conspiring against one another. When the two tips of the crescent moon were turned upwards, that signified that two hostile tribes were preparing to invade the country. »
Association C.I.E.L
Religion and daily life
The construction and orientation of religious structures also depended on the position of the stars. This has been confirmed by the archaeological remains of marae, ancient temples that were built from basalt stones and coral. The builders of these sites referred to the stars Antares and Aldebaran. It’s been noted, for example, via meticulous studies by ethno-astronomer Louis Cruchet, that the marae Rahurahu on Tahiti, Manunu on Huahine and Ahu O Mahine on Moorea are all oriented astrologically. It appears that the orientation of the marae alters, which are perpendicular to the axis of Antares and Aldebaran, are also placed so that the magnificent rising and falling of the constellations can be seen from them. The Antares and Aldebaran constellations are tied primarily to the period of alimentary abundance.
Traditional Polynesian society lived to the rhythm of annual harvest rituals, seasonal cycles (the equinoxes and solstices) and the moon. When the constellation Pleiades (part of the constellation known in the Western world as Taurus), called Matari’i in Tahitian, became visible on the horizon at dusk around November 20th, this marked the beginning of agricultural abundance for six months. Around May 20th, Matari’i descends again and is no longer visible in the night sky. This is the start of a more difficult, less abundant season. All year round, to honor the benevolence of Matari’i for granting them good harvests, the people organized festivities of singing, dancing and other traditional sports. When Matari’i disappeared they were saddened and cried. These religious and cultural manifestations were an integral force in community life.
An extremely precise lunar calendar
Among all of the objects in the heavens, the moon (marama in Tahitian) was the most important. The harvest of staples like fruit and tubers as well as fishing and other numerous food-oriented activities were linked to this celestial body. Polynesians developed a lunar calendar organized mostly around fishing. Twentieth century scientists have noted that the extreme precision of this calendar makes it useful even today. Each of the 30 lunar nights were likely placed under the protection of an ancestral god and this god’s benevolence directly influenced the abundance of fish in the lagoon. The calendar very precisely advised which kind of fishing technique worked best for each day. Thus for the first day of the month, which was under the protection of the god Tireo, it was recommended to use «a net, with the opening turned towards the beach,» while during the 6th moon (under protection of the god Hamiama Muri) fishermen were told to light up their canoes with torches. Finally, during the 10th moon (under the god Huna), the calendar suggests to not go fishing at all!
© P. Bacchet
The stars go silent
From navigation to fishing and from agriculture to religion, celestial bodies played a key role in ancient Polynesian society. But with European colonization and eventually, modernization, much of the knowledge that came from observing the stars vanished. Evangelization emptied the sky of gods, demigods and omens. Now the only thing in the heavens is the Bible’s forever-reigning single god.
Thus the stars have become mute. People no longer turn to the sky to navigate, fish or plant. Today, even though starlight is victim to light pollution from cities and human activity has veered away from the sky, many people on our planet continue to be captivated by the Polynesian sky. This constant attention continues to draw in the interest of Polynesians as well as tourists. The stars perhaps, have not had their final word.
Solar eclipse July 11th 2010
See you on Tahiti !
French Polynesia is considered the best place to watch the solar eclipse in 2010. The eclipse will be exceptionally long - four minutes and 45 seconds - and the total eclipse will only be visible from Tahiti and its surrounding islands.
As we speak, communities of astronomers and eclipse chasers are organizing their trips to the islands in hopes of getting the best viewing the world has to offer for this astral show.
The best islands from which to see the eclipse include: the Society Islands (specifically Mehitia), the Tuamotus (specifically on the atolls of Anaa, Motutunga, Haraiki, Reritou, Marutea, Nihiru, Hikueru where the total eclipse will last four minutes 20 seconds ; on Tekokota, Marokau, Ravahere, Rekareka, Tauere ; and on Amanu and Tatakoto where the eclipse will last about four minutes and 45 seconds).
In the heart of the Polynesian islands, darkness will take over the blue sky and make the sun’s halo visible - a breathtaking phenomenon.
Eclipses in ancient times, the wrath of the gods
While there are few testimonies about how major solar phenomena like these were perceived in traditional society, it’s sure that they shook people up and were considered very important events. William Ellis states in his book Polynesian Researches that « some natives imagine that during an eclipse, the sun and the moon are swallowed by one of their gods as punishment for their negligence. Abundant offerings are made to entice the god to set aside his wrath and bring the astral bodies of day and night back up from his stomach. »
In Tahiti in Ancient Times, Teuira Henry tells us, « Solar eclipses were said to happen when the anger of the god Raa-mau-riri (his holiness who holds anger) made him swallow the sun. During eclipses, priests and the terrified population would head to the marae where they prayed, made offering and begged the god to give their sun back. »
Text : Tahiti Communication
Translation : Celeste Brash
Thanks :
Louis Cruchet & Régis Plichard
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