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Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner Summer 2008. Sharks & Hawaiian Culture. Knowledge of shark names used by ancient Hawaiians Found extensively in legend, place-names folklore, customs Gods & Demi-gods ‘aumakua. Disclaimer. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays
Sharks and Hawaiian Culture
MARE 394Dr. Turner
Summer 2008
Sharks & Hawaiian CultureKnowledge of shark names used by ancient Hawaiians
Found extensively in legend, place-namesfolklore, customs
Gods & Demi-gods
‘aumakua
DisclaimerMany “modern” comments on sharks & Hawaiian culture characterized as inaccurate, irresponsible, imprecise
Language/relationship not necessarily “one size fits all”
DisclaimerStatements like: “Sharks are sacred” “Sharks were important food for Hawaiians” “Hawaiians did not kill sharks”
May be true for some species or some individual sharks but difficult from existing records
DisclaimerAncient Hawaiian culture was very complex in consideration of sharks
Recognized that different kinds were to be treated in species ways unique to:
- species - individual sharks
Sharks & Hawaiian CultureKnowledge of shark names used by ancient Hawaiians is incomplete
Likely specific terms relating to sharks due to dependence on ocean & extensive familiarity with ocean life
Sharks & Hawaiian Culture34 species recognized (modern biologists)9 kinds of sharks in Hawaiian Dictionary
some probably not known – deep sea forms; unique (cookiecutter, Megamouth)
Rest probably lost
Hawaiian words for sharksGreat white shark & Tiger shark most significant
Large dangerous sharks – niuhirefers to both species
Hawaiian words for sharkslālākea – reef shark with white finsWhitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus)
laukāhi‘u – “much hit tail”; thresher shark (Alopias spp.)
Hawaiian words for sharkslele wa‘a – “friendly shark; leans on canoes”Whale shark (Rhinocodon typus)
Hawaiian words for sharksmanō kihikihi – “angular shark” hammerhead shark (Sphyrna spp.)
manō pā‘ele – “black-smudged shark” blacktip reef (Carcharhinus melanopterus) or blacktip shark (C. limbatus)
Hawaiian words for sharksmanō ‘ula – “red shark; no known species; might mean “sacred” or “special”
Basking Shark?
Hawaiian words for rayshīhīmanō (lupe) – stingrays (Dasyatidae) & eagle rays (Actobatus narinari)
Sharks & Hawaiian CultureViewed in several ways
- Teeth used as cutting edge/knife before Western contact
- Skins used for membrane of temple & hula drums
- Considered to be the equal of ali‘i
- Meat rarely eaten by men; forbidden by women
TeethOnly some uses for shark teeth are known
Sharpest and thinnest “edge” available
Cut designs into kapa bamboo stampers & wooden kapa beaters
Decoration; ornamentation
LeiomanoClubs, daggers, other weapons or tools made from shark teeth
Koa war club – tiger or great white shark teeth
LeiomanoFist weapon – tiger or grey reef shark teeth
Fist club – great white shark
Knives/Daggers – great white shark
LeimanoGreat white shark & Tiger shark most significant
Tiger shark teeth more common in tools & weapons but are also more common sharks
Large dangerous sharks – nuihirefers to both species
Tattoo YouAn old Hawaiian legend tells of a woman who freed herself from a shark by telling it that he was her ‘aumakua
The shark let her go and said he would recognize her in the future by the tooth marks he left on her ankle
TattooSince then, it is said, some Hawaiian people tattoo their ankles to let sharks know that their ‘aumakua is a shark
TattooThe shark tooth pattern is also a popular design in kapa, or barkcloth
A feather cloak in the Bishop Museum, belonging to Kiwalaa`o, a fellow warrior of King Kamehameha, is decorated with five equilateral triangles -- a motif depicting shark teeth
TattooTraditionally in Hawaii, the male is tattooed on the inside of the right leg, done as an alaniho, or genealogical tattoo
TattooIn Hawaiian tradition, you are tattooed on the leg like that for these reasons:
- the leg is the foundation of who you are as a person, just as your family is your foundation
TattooIn Hawaiian tradition, you are tattooed on the leg like that for these reasons:- the body is split in 2 halves, the left side being female and the right side being male
TattooIn Hawai’i, the men are tattooed on the left leg to bring balance to the feminine side and the women are tattooed on the right leg to bring balance to the masculine side
Ancient Hawaiian mummies show ancient people tattooed ♂ & ♀ on both legs
TattooStill popular today as either ‘aumakua or good luck in the ocean
Fishing nuihiSharks were attracted with chum (pig, rocks, kukui nut shells) in a bag/net
Trained like pet pigs; tickled; patted on head
Once used to being touched; rested chin on head of shark
Fishing nuihiTrained like pet pigs; tickled; patted on head
Once used to being touched; rested chin on head of shark
Fishing nuihi
Slipped noose around sharks head with palms facing outward
Tightened noose at center of body
Nuihi: Tigers & Great WhitesStories of sharks attacking cattle were infrequent and often reported as tigers
Most likely Great Whites
Story of Kapa‘aheo, kohala shark god – probably great white as well
Kapa‘aheoYoung girls would swim in Kohala; would often disappear
When swimmers disappeared fishermen noticed that a mysterious stranger named Kapa‘aheo could be seen on shore
Kapa‘aheoOne day the fishermen swam out to protect the girls when they saw Kapa‘aheo on shore
Kapa‘aheoSurrounded girls; speared shark several times; Finally shark swam away
Later found man dying on shore from “spear” wounds
Kapa‘aheoDied and transformed into stone
Nuihi: Tigers & Great WhitesMany sharks use vision to find foodExcellent vision; maybe colorMany Hawaiian legends derived from the shark
Nuihi: Tigers & Great WhitesKamehameha’s mother – craving for nuihi eye; spirit of shark vision
Led to keen vision of Kamehameha’s reign
Hawaiian gods & sharksKamohoali‘i – Pele’s older brother; most celebrated shark god
Kua – king shark of Ka‘ū; ancestor of Ka‘ū folk
Hawaiian gods & sharksKa‘ahupāhua – chiefess of shark god of Pu‘uloa (Pearl Harbor) vowed to protect all from sharks - guardian since early 1900’s
Engineers did not ask permission; Collapsed dock; problems
Hawaiian words relating sharksho‘omanō – to behave like a shark, eat ravenously, pursue women ardently
kahu manō – an attendant or guardian on an individual shark filled with a special spirit
manō – general name for shark
niuhi – “large grey man-eating shark”
Hawaiian words relating sharks‘aumakua – family or personal god taking the form of a living organism; shark common
manō – general name for a shark
kapua – demi-god or supernatural being, possessing several forms, human & animal
Hawaiian words relating sharksmanō kanaka – a shark born to human mother sired by shark; human whose spirit possesses a shark; turns into shark
‘unihipili – spirit of dead person present in remains; transferred into living form (shark)
‘aumakuaUnder certain conditions, with the assistance of surviving family members, a deceased relative could be reincarnated into the form of a shark - ‘aumakua
Beneficial guardian, family protector, fishing helper, ‘unihipili – spirit that would do bidding
‘aumakua – also owls, mudhens, sea turtles, eels, caterpillars, sea cucumbers, rocks, plants
Kahu manō – shark keeperEither a relative of deceased or kahuna
Kahu manō – shark keeperTook ‘awa at dawn & dusk for three days
Until he saw that the body assumed form of shark – recognizable marks (tattoo, scars)
After 2-3 days more after strengthening of new shark – sent for relatives
Kahu manō – shark keeperRelatives see that deceased had become a shark
If shark was around later would recognize it as their family protector in the sea
What sharks were ‘aumakua?Whitetip reef sharks – frequent same caves, docile, relatively harmless; predatory power of big sharks
Blacktip reef, Grey reef, Galapagos, sandbar, hammerhead – aggregate in large number for reasons other than feeding
Packing behavior – remain in contact with other sharks for years
What sharks were ‘aumakua?
Lālani kalalea - protruding line of dorsal fins of sharks above the water
Numbered 2-4 in march to 68-171 in June
Oblivious to people, prey, baited hooks
1° pregnant ♀ sharks
Hawaiian proverbs & sayingsHe manō holo ‘aina ke ali‘iThe chief is a shark that travels on land
Uliuli kai holo ka manōWhere the sea is dark, sharks swim
He niuhi ai holopapa o ka mokuNiuhi shark that devours all on the island
E ao o pau po‘o, pau hi‘u ia manōCareful lest you go head & tail into the shark