Hawaii 1778–1854:Some aspects ofMaka'ainanaresponse to rapid cultural change∗
| Autor: | Caroline Ralston |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 1984 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | The Journal of Pacific History. 19:21-40 |
| ISSN: | 1469-9605 0022-3344 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/00223348408572478 |
| Popis: | Hawaiian society as a homogeneous, monocultural entity1 and have focused their analyses on the interrelations between the ruling Kamehameha elite and influential foreign immigrants.2 Further they have tended to interpret the crea tiQn ofa nation state, conversion to Christianity, the individualization of land tenure and related changes as rational, often beneficial, progress in the paths of Western civilization.3 I do not wish to dispute the pattern of changes presented in previous accounts or much of its inevitability, but by concentrating on the maka'ainana (the ordinary Hawaiian men and women) I want to suggest that Hawaiian experiences and responses to the massive changes that occurred dur ing the first 70 years of contact were not homogeneous, and to reveal the costs and lack of benefit endured by the majority of Hawaiians.4 The previous neglect of maka'ainana can be attributed to world-wide historiographical trends, to evidential problems, and because it has been too easy to see the maka'ainana submitting willingly or passively, depending on in terpretation, to chiefly dictates. There was no outspoken protest or resistance against the series of events which appear to have been highly detrimental to the well-being of the ordinary Hawaiian people. Despite the difficulties, however, it is possible, from the archaeological and mythological evidence available for ancient Hawaiian society and from the more voluminous and predominantly Eurocentric sources for the post-contact period, not only to construct an outline of the maka'ainands lives and experiences, but also to find fragmentary evidence to suggest that acquiescence on the Hawaiians' part was not automatic or un |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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