The development of a people is based on three categories which contain the quality of food supply, the relationship to other peoples and the religion whereas the latter probably most influences the intellectual advancement. This is because man's intelligence increases when he observes the different aspects of nature and life which have an effect on him. To understand natural phenomena and to gain a relation to those he creates gods, ghosts and supreme beings. Thus his fancy and imagination develop expressed by songs and legends in which the people combine facets of life, death and nature with supernatural creatures. Literature and art evolve by and by indicating cultural progress. Although the Hawaiians had an oral culture and therefore no written language, their intellectual advancement developed fast because of their uncountable songs and legends they repeated at fireplaces and feasts.1
What kind of religion did the Hawaiians create that made them develop so fast? Which gods and ghosts did they invent to explain the natural phenomena they didn't understand or they filled with their imagination? Through summarizing the main Hawaiian gods and godesses below, I will give the necessary basis of knowledge to analyse the interpendent relationship between them and the Hawaiian people. This mutual influence abounds mainly in legends and songs, in worship and in the structure of the Hawaiian society. In conclusion, the results are brought together to decide how much the religion influenced ancient Hawaiian society and how distinctive the relationship between men and gods was. In doing so I will basically refer to Martha Beckwith‘s book Hawaiian mythology from 1940.
Table of Contents
- I Introduction
- II The various Hawaiian gods
- III Different kinds of worship
- IV The influences of religion on the Hawaiian society
- V The relationship between Hawaiians and gods in legend
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the role of religion in ancient Hawaiian society and the relationship between the Hawaiians and their gods. It examines how religion influenced the intellectual and cultural development of the Hawaiian people.
- The various Hawaiian gods and their roles.
- Different forms of Hawaiian worship and religious practices.
- The impact of religion on the structure of Hawaiian society.
- The portrayal of the god-human relationship in Hawaiian legends and songs.
- The significance of the Makahiki festival.
Chapter Summaries
I Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by establishing the importance of religion in the development of a people, highlighting the interplay between understanding natural phenomena, the creation of gods and spiritual beings, and the consequent development of culture through oral traditions like songs and legends. The author emphasizes the Hawaiian people’s rapid intellectual advancement despite lacking a written language, and frames the study by outlining the scope of the research: summarizing the principal Hawaiian gods and goddesses to analyze their interdependent relationship with the Hawaiian people, primarily through legends, songs, worship practices, and societal structures. The ultimate goal is to determine the extent to which religion influenced ancient Hawaiian society and the nature of the human-divine relationship, primarily referencing Martha Beckwith's "Hawaiian Mythology."
II The various Hawaiian gods: This chapter delves into the Hawaiian pantheon, emphasizing the existence of numerous gods and goddesses, each representing a specific aspect of life or nature. It highlights the four main gods—Kane, Ku, Lono, and Kanaloa—and other important deities like Keawe, Na Wahine, Papa, and Wakea. The chapter explores differing scholarly interpretations of the gods' origins, suggesting both human apotheosis and their conception as nature deities. The creation myths, particularly the Kumuhonua legend, are examined, revealing the narrative of Keawe and Kane’s roles in shaping the world and its inhabitants. The chapter provides detailed descriptions of each god's attributes, responsibilities, and symbolic representations, including Kane’s association with life and creation, Ku's association with war and male fertility, Lono's association with peace, harvest, and culture, and the roles played by other figures in the Hawaiian cosmology.
Keywords
Ancient Hawaiian religion, Hawaiian mythology, Polynesian religion, gods and goddesses (Kane, Ku, Lono, Kanaloa), worship, legends, songs, Makahiki festival, societal influence, human-divine relationship, cultural development.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this academic paper preview?
This preview summarizes an academic paper exploring the role of religion in ancient Hawaiian society. It examines the relationship between the Hawaiian people and their gods, analyzing how religion impacted their intellectual and cultural development.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the various Hawaiian gods and their roles, different forms of Hawaiian worship, the impact of religion on Hawaiian social structures, the portrayal of the god-human relationship in legends and songs, and the significance of the Makahiki festival.
Which Hawaiian gods are discussed in the paper?
The paper focuses on the four main gods – Kane, Ku, Lono, and Kanaloa – and other important deities such as Keawe, Na Wahine, Papa, and Wakea. It explores their attributes, responsibilities, and symbolic representations within the Hawaiian cosmology.
How does the paper approach the study of ancient Hawaiian religion?
The paper utilizes a multi-faceted approach, drawing on legends, songs, worship practices, and societal structures to understand the relationship between the Hawaiians and their gods. It also considers different scholarly interpretations of the gods' origins.
What is the significance of the Makahiki festival?
While not explicitly detailed in this preview, the Makahiki festival is mentioned as a key theme, suggesting its importance in understanding ancient Hawaiian religious practices and societal life. Further information would be found within the full paper.
What sources are referenced in this paper?
The preview explicitly mentions Martha Beckwith's "Hawaiian Mythology" as a key reference for the study.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into several chapters: an introduction setting the context and scope of the study; a chapter detailing the various Hawaiian gods; a chapter on different forms of worship; a chapter on religion's influence on Hawaiian society; and a chapter exploring the god-human relationship in legends.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Ancient Hawaiian religion, Hawaiian mythology, Polynesian religion, gods and goddesses (Kane, Ku, Lono, Kanaloa), worship, legends, songs, Makahiki festival, societal influence, human-divine relationship, cultural development.
What is the overall objective of the paper?
The paper aims to determine the extent to which religion influenced ancient Hawaiian society and the nature of the human-divine relationship.
What is the scope of the research outlined in the introduction?
The introduction outlines a study summarizing the principal Hawaiian gods and goddesses, analyzing their relationship with the Hawaiian people through legends, songs, worship practices, and societal structures.
- Quote paper
- Elisabeth Yorck (Author), 2009, The relationship between Hawaiians and their gods, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/192059
