Posted by MT on July 10, 2004 at 22:51:46:
In Reply to: Interesting Coming from a Samoan point of view! posted by Tonga Mo'oni on May 06, 2004 at 17:16:05:
Hi,
I'm a researcher from Sunny California.And I was just skimming through websites on the net relating to Polynesian origins, to see what other resources could be helpful on a dissertation I will be unfolding in late Fall 2006.
I wanted to reply to Mo'oni's statement on Tonga being the 'first' island to be settled among the 'first' Polynesians-- and this is according to the Lapita pottery found on the islands. This also refers to Kekela's theory on the pottery originating from Samoa and then being transferred to Tonga.
In both instances, you are both right, but in both instances too-you are both wrong.
The history of Lapita pottery extends as far as the Asian mainland where many would believe our origins are from.*I personally feel this is *part* true-but I don't want to overrun this post with my own beliefs, as I am just replying to this particular subject. The Lapita pottery has it's origins in Asia, and can be traced directly to the Melanesians in particular-not so much within the Polynesian race. Hence the importance of pottery in the Polynesian culture for centuries. Pottery was brought to Polynesians by the Melanesians, but pottery, like many other aspects of the Melanesian culture were halted in the Polynesias...this aligns with the theory of the intermixing of the Melanesians and Samoans to procreate later day Tongans. The pottery was an influence of the Melanesian culture, not the Polynesian culture. Also to back the theory of such intermixing, is the scientifically studied lapita pottery found in Tonga. The first 'Polynesian' island to be introduced to the pottery, not the first 'Polynesian' island to be settled. Pottery is not a strong point in the Polynesian culture, and never was. Lapita pottery was introduced, but was never produced-there is no way we could have inherited the skill, this is due to lack of natural materials, that if was, then Samoans and Polynesians alike would undoubted be practicing to this day. As with any new innovative items to make way to the trading islands, pottery in some ways was like a new flavor introduced by Snapple- it's new, no one has tried it, and so it sells *sorry for the poor example* but I'm sure it underlines the main point. Samoans and other Polynesians take a more liking to woodcraft and carving-as it has been for years. We excel in the skill.
The usage of pottery is well known among the Melanesians- and was among those before them. It was a matter of Melanesians visiting the Polynesian islands that firmly proves their existance and intermixing within the Polynesian culture. The culture has since been driven out by forces within the Polynesian culture- referring to King Malietoa for example, and others alike, who protected the Polynesian race- either protected or was not liking to their kind for whatever reasons.
In such cases, Tonga should not be ruled out as being one of the initial islands in the origins of Polynesia, but should also not be mistaken to be the first island to be settled by Polynesians according the the Lapita pottery. Pacific studies can trace Lapita pottery to the extent of the Melanesian culture, it somehow loses it's track when we journey more westward. Some say we are the descendents of the 'Lapita' people, I beg to differ, Lapita seems to be an influence on our culture, but by far, has no originating factor that lies within the Polynesian culture, but I think we have evolved from more than one source. There is new studies that are confirming our origins as far as S.America-which I believe was once pursued by the late Thoryl H., where his theories of Polynesians originating from South America were shot down by the scientific world-has now resurfaced with new studies and new evidence that even confirms Northern American relations to our people. This does not exclude our Asian ties, as we all know that Native Americans originated from Asia like the Polynesians. Similar isolationism and similar cultural ties, brings us closer to the Natives of America.
AND then again, that's another show.
Hope this brings a bit of clarity-but as with all my research and studies, it is a 'take it' or 'leave it' subject of matters.
Thank you,
MT