Annotation
Introduction to Cultural Concepts
The thesis addresses the impact of cultural collisions, misinterpreted histories, and the misconstrued embodied female experience through a Hawaiian lens focusing on the concepts of kapu and noa.
Concept of Kapu and Noa
Definitions
Kapu: This Hawaiian term refers to a state of taboo or prohibition, conveying special privileges or exemptions from ordinary taboos (noa). It implies sacredness and forbidding interactions with other elements of society. In this state, objects, people, and places are set apart.
Noa: In contrast, noa signifies freedom from taboos and restrictions, indicating a common state devoid of sacredness. Individuals categorized as noa can interact freely among themselves but cannot engage with those in a kapu state.
Relationship between Kapu and Noa
When individuals uphold the values of kapu and noa, they achieve pono, which is a state of balance. Breaching these codes disrupts this balance, resulting in consequences reflective of the Hawaiian moral framework called ‘aikapu, which aims to maintain harmony and social order among various societal roles, from chiefs (ali'i) to common people (maka'āinana).
Gender Dynamics in Kapu and Noa
Gender Equality
Dr. Silva emphasizes that understanding the balance of kapu extends to recognizing both masculine and feminine roles as equally essential. The thesis argues that men and women (kāne and wāhine) observe their unique responsibilities through practices like prayer for men, and menstruation for women, asserting that these rituals are equally vital to maintaining the kapu and noa system.
Moʻolelo Examples
One illustrative narrative arises from the story of Pelehonuamea and Hiʻiakaikapoliopele. Here, Pele imposes a kapu on Hiʻiaka's relationship with Lohiau, leading to tragic repercussions when the kapu is breached. This reflects the serious nature of observing these concepts across narratives, where the consequences culminate in familial disputes and even death.
The Role of Physical Space in Kapu
Cultural Separation
In various accounts, such as those by Malo, there's a deeply established boundary concerning gender roles during menstruation and worship. These include physical spaces designed for women (hale peʻa) and men (hale mua) that reinforce separation according to kapu.
Consequences of Breaching Kapu
Violations of these sacred separations can result in severe penalties, often death, showcasing the high stakes involved in maintaining these cultural practices. The kapu associated with menstruating women has been understood as a source of danger, reinforcing the notion of women as haumia in traditional contexts.
Visualizing Kapu and Noa
Hierarchical Interpretations
Figures presented within the thesis develop the concept of kapu and noa as not inherently hierarchical but as dynamic forces existing along a continuum, where neither can be considered superior or inferior.
Using Visual Tools
The artistic representations aim to present complex social dynamics in Hawaiian culture and prove that the assessment of kapu and noa should avoid simplifying these experiences as merely ‘sacred’ or ‘not sacred.’ The visual models articulate dimensions of separation and cultural dynamics, encouraging recognition of the roles of both men and women.
Conclusions
This examination reinforces that wahine waimaka lehua and kāne pule i ke akua share initiatory agency in their practices, whether menstruating or worshipping. The call to revise interpretations of these roles challenges Western biases, recognizing both men and women as sacred within their cultural contexts. Further research is warranted on those who do not fit traditional roles based on menstruation.