THE TABU.Strictly speaking, the ancienttabu, orkapu, was a prerogative adhering exclusively to political and ecclesiastical rank. It was a command either to do or not to do, and the meaning of it was, “Obey or die.” It was common to the Polynesian tribes, and was a protection to the lives, property and dignity of the priesthood and nobility.The religioustabuswere well understood by the people, as were also the personal or perpetualtabusof the ruling families; but the incidentaltabuswere oppressive, irksome and dangerous to the masses, as they were liable to be thoughtlessly violated, and death was the usual penalty.Everything pertaining to the priesthood and temples was sacred, ortabu, and pigs designed for sacrifice, and running at large with the temple mark upon them, could not be molested. It was a violation of perpetualtabuto cross the shadow of the king, to stand in his presence without permission, or to approach him except upon the knees. This did not apply to the higher grades of chiefs, who themselves possessedtaburights.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.Favorite paths, springs, streams and bathing-places were at intervalstabuedto the exclusive use of the kings and temples, and squid, turtle, and two or three species of birds could be eaten only by the priests andtabunobility.Yellow was thetabucolor of royalty, and red of the priesthood, and mantles of the feathers of theooandmamocould be worn only by kings and princes. Feather capes of mingled red and yellow distinguished the lesser nobility.Women weretabuedfrom eating plantains, bananas, and cocoanuts; also the flesh of swine and certain fish, among them thekumu,moano,ulua,honu,ea,hahaluaandnaia; and men and women were allowed under no circumstances to partake of food together. Hence, when Liholiho, in 1819, openly violated this fundamentaltabuby eating with his queen, he defied the gods of his fathers and struck at the very foundation of the religious faith of his people.The generaltabusdeclared by the supreme chief or king were proclaimed by heralds, while thepuloulou—a staff surmounted by a crown of white or blackkapa—placed at the entrance of temples, royal residences and the mansions oftabuchiefs, or beside springs, groves, paths, or bathing-places, was a standing notification against trespass. Generaltabuswere declared either to propitiate the gods or in celebration of important events. They were either common or strict, and frequently embraced an entire district and continued from one to ten days.During the continuance of a commontabuthe masses were merely required to abstain from their usual occupations and attend the services at theheiaus, or temples; but during a stricttabuevery fire and every light was extinguished, no canoe was shoved from the shore, no bathing was permitted, the pigs and fowls were muzzled or placed under calabashes that they might utter no noise, the people conversed in whispers, and the priests and their assistants were alone allowed to be seen without their places of abode. It was a season of deathly silence, and was thought to be especially grateful to the gods.Some of the royaltabus, centuries back in the past, were frivolous and despotic, such as regulating the wearing of beards and compelling all sails to be lowered on passing certain coast points; but, however capricious or oppressive, thetabuwas seldom violated, and its maintenance was deemed a necessary protection to the governing classes.
THE TABU.Strictly speaking, the ancienttabu, orkapu, was a prerogative adhering exclusively to political and ecclesiastical rank. It was a command either to do or not to do, and the meaning of it was, “Obey or die.” It was common to the Polynesian tribes, and was a protection to the lives, property and dignity of the priesthood and nobility.The religioustabuswere well understood by the people, as were also the personal or perpetualtabusof the ruling families; but the incidentaltabuswere oppressive, irksome and dangerous to the masses, as they were liable to be thoughtlessly violated, and death was the usual penalty.Everything pertaining to the priesthood and temples was sacred, ortabu, and pigs designed for sacrifice, and running at large with the temple mark upon them, could not be molested. It was a violation of perpetualtabuto cross the shadow of the king, to stand in his presence without permission, or to approach him except upon the knees. This did not apply to the higher grades of chiefs, who themselves possessedtaburights.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.Favorite paths, springs, streams and bathing-places were at intervalstabuedto the exclusive use of the kings and temples, and squid, turtle, and two or three species of birds could be eaten only by the priests andtabunobility.Yellow was thetabucolor of royalty, and red of the priesthood, and mantles of the feathers of theooandmamocould be worn only by kings and princes. Feather capes of mingled red and yellow distinguished the lesser nobility.Women weretabuedfrom eating plantains, bananas, and cocoanuts; also the flesh of swine and certain fish, among them thekumu,moano,ulua,honu,ea,hahaluaandnaia; and men and women were allowed under no circumstances to partake of food together. Hence, when Liholiho, in 1819, openly violated this fundamentaltabuby eating with his queen, he defied the gods of his fathers and struck at the very foundation of the religious faith of his people.The generaltabusdeclared by the supreme chief or king were proclaimed by heralds, while thepuloulou—a staff surmounted by a crown of white or blackkapa—placed at the entrance of temples, royal residences and the mansions oftabuchiefs, or beside springs, groves, paths, or bathing-places, was a standing notification against trespass. Generaltabuswere declared either to propitiate the gods or in celebration of important events. They were either common or strict, and frequently embraced an entire district and continued from one to ten days.During the continuance of a commontabuthe masses were merely required to abstain from their usual occupations and attend the services at theheiaus, or temples; but during a stricttabuevery fire and every light was extinguished, no canoe was shoved from the shore, no bathing was permitted, the pigs and fowls were muzzled or placed under calabashes that they might utter no noise, the people conversed in whispers, and the priests and their assistants were alone allowed to be seen without their places of abode. It was a season of deathly silence, and was thought to be especially grateful to the gods.Some of the royaltabus, centuries back in the past, were frivolous and despotic, such as regulating the wearing of beards and compelling all sails to be lowered on passing certain coast points; but, however capricious or oppressive, thetabuwas seldom violated, and its maintenance was deemed a necessary protection to the governing classes.
THE TABU.Strictly speaking, the ancienttabu, orkapu, was a prerogative adhering exclusively to political and ecclesiastical rank. It was a command either to do or not to do, and the meaning of it was, “Obey or die.” It was common to the Polynesian tribes, and was a protection to the lives, property and dignity of the priesthood and nobility.The religioustabuswere well understood by the people, as were also the personal or perpetualtabusof the ruling families; but the incidentaltabuswere oppressive, irksome and dangerous to the masses, as they were liable to be thoughtlessly violated, and death was the usual penalty.Everything pertaining to the priesthood and temples was sacred, ortabu, and pigs designed for sacrifice, and running at large with the temple mark upon them, could not be molested. It was a violation of perpetualtabuto cross the shadow of the king, to stand in his presence without permission, or to approach him except upon the knees. This did not apply to the higher grades of chiefs, who themselves possessedtaburights.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.Favorite paths, springs, streams and bathing-places were at intervalstabuedto the exclusive use of the kings and temples, and squid, turtle, and two or three species of birds could be eaten only by the priests andtabunobility.Yellow was thetabucolor of royalty, and red of the priesthood, and mantles of the feathers of theooandmamocould be worn only by kings and princes. Feather capes of mingled red and yellow distinguished the lesser nobility.Women weretabuedfrom eating plantains, bananas, and cocoanuts; also the flesh of swine and certain fish, among them thekumu,moano,ulua,honu,ea,hahaluaandnaia; and men and women were allowed under no circumstances to partake of food together. Hence, when Liholiho, in 1819, openly violated this fundamentaltabuby eating with his queen, he defied the gods of his fathers and struck at the very foundation of the religious faith of his people.The generaltabusdeclared by the supreme chief or king were proclaimed by heralds, while thepuloulou—a staff surmounted by a crown of white or blackkapa—placed at the entrance of temples, royal residences and the mansions oftabuchiefs, or beside springs, groves, paths, or bathing-places, was a standing notification against trespass. Generaltabuswere declared either to propitiate the gods or in celebration of important events. They were either common or strict, and frequently embraced an entire district and continued from one to ten days.During the continuance of a commontabuthe masses were merely required to abstain from their usual occupations and attend the services at theheiaus, or temples; but during a stricttabuevery fire and every light was extinguished, no canoe was shoved from the shore, no bathing was permitted, the pigs and fowls were muzzled or placed under calabashes that they might utter no noise, the people conversed in whispers, and the priests and their assistants were alone allowed to be seen without their places of abode. It was a season of deathly silence, and was thought to be especially grateful to the gods.Some of the royaltabus, centuries back in the past, were frivolous and despotic, such as regulating the wearing of beards and compelling all sails to be lowered on passing certain coast points; but, however capricious or oppressive, thetabuwas seldom violated, and its maintenance was deemed a necessary protection to the governing classes.
THE TABU.Strictly speaking, the ancienttabu, orkapu, was a prerogative adhering exclusively to political and ecclesiastical rank. It was a command either to do or not to do, and the meaning of it was, “Obey or die.” It was common to the Polynesian tribes, and was a protection to the lives, property and dignity of the priesthood and nobility.The religioustabuswere well understood by the people, as were also the personal or perpetualtabusof the ruling families; but the incidentaltabuswere oppressive, irksome and dangerous to the masses, as they were liable to be thoughtlessly violated, and death was the usual penalty.Everything pertaining to the priesthood and temples was sacred, ortabu, and pigs designed for sacrifice, and running at large with the temple mark upon them, could not be molested. It was a violation of perpetualtabuto cross the shadow of the king, to stand in his presence without permission, or to approach him except upon the knees. This did not apply to the higher grades of chiefs, who themselves possessedtaburights.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.Favorite paths, springs, streams and bathing-places were at intervalstabuedto the exclusive use of the kings and temples, and squid, turtle, and two or three species of birds could be eaten only by the priests andtabunobility.Yellow was thetabucolor of royalty, and red of the priesthood, and mantles of the feathers of theooandmamocould be worn only by kings and princes. Feather capes of mingled red and yellow distinguished the lesser nobility.Women weretabuedfrom eating plantains, bananas, and cocoanuts; also the flesh of swine and certain fish, among them thekumu,moano,ulua,honu,ea,hahaluaandnaia; and men and women were allowed under no circumstances to partake of food together. Hence, when Liholiho, in 1819, openly violated this fundamentaltabuby eating with his queen, he defied the gods of his fathers and struck at the very foundation of the religious faith of his people.The generaltabusdeclared by the supreme chief or king were proclaimed by heralds, while thepuloulou—a staff surmounted by a crown of white or blackkapa—placed at the entrance of temples, royal residences and the mansions oftabuchiefs, or beside springs, groves, paths, or bathing-places, was a standing notification against trespass. Generaltabuswere declared either to propitiate the gods or in celebration of important events. They were either common or strict, and frequently embraced an entire district and continued from one to ten days.During the continuance of a commontabuthe masses were merely required to abstain from their usual occupations and attend the services at theheiaus, or temples; but during a stricttabuevery fire and every light was extinguished, no canoe was shoved from the shore, no bathing was permitted, the pigs and fowls were muzzled or placed under calabashes that they might utter no noise, the people conversed in whispers, and the priests and their assistants were alone allowed to be seen without their places of abode. It was a season of deathly silence, and was thought to be especially grateful to the gods.Some of the royaltabus, centuries back in the past, were frivolous and despotic, such as regulating the wearing of beards and compelling all sails to be lowered on passing certain coast points; but, however capricious or oppressive, thetabuwas seldom violated, and its maintenance was deemed a necessary protection to the governing classes.
THE TABU.
Strictly speaking, the ancienttabu, orkapu, was a prerogative adhering exclusively to political and ecclesiastical rank. It was a command either to do or not to do, and the meaning of it was, “Obey or die.” It was common to the Polynesian tribes, and was a protection to the lives, property and dignity of the priesthood and nobility.The religioustabuswere well understood by the people, as were also the personal or perpetualtabusof the ruling families; but the incidentaltabuswere oppressive, irksome and dangerous to the masses, as they were liable to be thoughtlessly violated, and death was the usual penalty.Everything pertaining to the priesthood and temples was sacred, ortabu, and pigs designed for sacrifice, and running at large with the temple mark upon them, could not be molested. It was a violation of perpetualtabuto cross the shadow of the king, to stand in his presence without permission, or to approach him except upon the knees. This did not apply to the higher grades of chiefs, who themselves possessedtaburights.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.Favorite paths, springs, streams and bathing-places were at intervalstabuedto the exclusive use of the kings and temples, and squid, turtle, and two or three species of birds could be eaten only by the priests andtabunobility.Yellow was thetabucolor of royalty, and red of the priesthood, and mantles of the feathers of theooandmamocould be worn only by kings and princes. Feather capes of mingled red and yellow distinguished the lesser nobility.Women weretabuedfrom eating plantains, bananas, and cocoanuts; also the flesh of swine and certain fish, among them thekumu,moano,ulua,honu,ea,hahaluaandnaia; and men and women were allowed under no circumstances to partake of food together. Hence, when Liholiho, in 1819, openly violated this fundamentaltabuby eating with his queen, he defied the gods of his fathers and struck at the very foundation of the religious faith of his people.The generaltabusdeclared by the supreme chief or king were proclaimed by heralds, while thepuloulou—a staff surmounted by a crown of white or blackkapa—placed at the entrance of temples, royal residences and the mansions oftabuchiefs, or beside springs, groves, paths, or bathing-places, was a standing notification against trespass. Generaltabuswere declared either to propitiate the gods or in celebration of important events. They were either common or strict, and frequently embraced an entire district and continued from one to ten days.During the continuance of a commontabuthe masses were merely required to abstain from their usual occupations and attend the services at theheiaus, or temples; but during a stricttabuevery fire and every light was extinguished, no canoe was shoved from the shore, no bathing was permitted, the pigs and fowls were muzzled or placed under calabashes that they might utter no noise, the people conversed in whispers, and the priests and their assistants were alone allowed to be seen without their places of abode. It was a season of deathly silence, and was thought to be especially grateful to the gods.Some of the royaltabus, centuries back in the past, were frivolous and despotic, such as regulating the wearing of beards and compelling all sails to be lowered on passing certain coast points; but, however capricious or oppressive, thetabuwas seldom violated, and its maintenance was deemed a necessary protection to the governing classes.
Strictly speaking, the ancienttabu, orkapu, was a prerogative adhering exclusively to political and ecclesiastical rank. It was a command either to do or not to do, and the meaning of it was, “Obey or die.” It was common to the Polynesian tribes, and was a protection to the lives, property and dignity of the priesthood and nobility.
The religioustabuswere well understood by the people, as were also the personal or perpetualtabusof the ruling families; but the incidentaltabuswere oppressive, irksome and dangerous to the masses, as they were liable to be thoughtlessly violated, and death was the usual penalty.
Everything pertaining to the priesthood and temples was sacred, ortabu, and pigs designed for sacrifice, and running at large with the temple mark upon them, could not be molested. It was a violation of perpetualtabuto cross the shadow of the king, to stand in his presence without permission, or to approach him except upon the knees. This did not apply to the higher grades of chiefs, who themselves possessedtaburights.
The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.
The Puloulou, or Tabu Mark.
Favorite paths, springs, streams and bathing-places were at intervalstabuedto the exclusive use of the kings and temples, and squid, turtle, and two or three species of birds could be eaten only by the priests andtabunobility.
Yellow was thetabucolor of royalty, and red of the priesthood, and mantles of the feathers of theooandmamocould be worn only by kings and princes. Feather capes of mingled red and yellow distinguished the lesser nobility.
Women weretabuedfrom eating plantains, bananas, and cocoanuts; also the flesh of swine and certain fish, among them thekumu,moano,ulua,honu,ea,hahaluaandnaia; and men and women were allowed under no circumstances to partake of food together. Hence, when Liholiho, in 1819, openly violated this fundamentaltabuby eating with his queen, he defied the gods of his fathers and struck at the very foundation of the religious faith of his people.
The generaltabusdeclared by the supreme chief or king were proclaimed by heralds, while thepuloulou—a staff surmounted by a crown of white or blackkapa—placed at the entrance of temples, royal residences and the mansions oftabuchiefs, or beside springs, groves, paths, or bathing-places, was a standing notification against trespass. Generaltabuswere declared either to propitiate the gods or in celebration of important events. They were either common or strict, and frequently embraced an entire district and continued from one to ten days.
During the continuance of a commontabuthe masses were merely required to abstain from their usual occupations and attend the services at theheiaus, or temples; but during a stricttabuevery fire and every light was extinguished, no canoe was shoved from the shore, no bathing was permitted, the pigs and fowls were muzzled or placed under calabashes that they might utter no noise, the people conversed in whispers, and the priests and their assistants were alone allowed to be seen without their places of abode. It was a season of deathly silence, and was thought to be especially grateful to the gods.
Some of the royaltabus, centuries back in the past, were frivolous and despotic, such as regulating the wearing of beards and compelling all sails to be lowered on passing certain coast points; but, however capricious or oppressive, thetabuwas seldom violated, and its maintenance was deemed a necessary protection to the governing classes.