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Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner Summer 2008

Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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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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Page 1: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays

Sharks and Hawaiian Culture

MARE 394Dr. Turner

Summer 2008

Page 2: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Sharks & Hawaiian CultureKnowledge of shark names used by ancient Hawaiians

Found extensively in legend, place-namesfolklore, customs

Gods & Demi-gods

‘aumakua

Page 3: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

DisclaimerMany “modern” comments on sharks & Hawaiian culture characterized as inaccurate, irresponsible, imprecise

Language/relationship not necessarily “one size fits all”

Page 4: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 5: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 6: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 7: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 8: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Hawaiian words for sharksGreat white shark & Tiger shark most significant

Large dangerous sharks – niuhirefers to both species

Page 9: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Hawaiian words for sharkslālākea – reef shark with white finsWhitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus)

laukāhi‘u – “much hit tail”; thresher shark (Alopias spp.)

Page 10: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Hawaiian words for sharkslele wa‘a – “friendly shark; leans on canoes”Whale shark (Rhinocodon typus)

Page 11: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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)

Page 12: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Hawaiian words for sharksmanō ‘ula – “red shark; no known species; might mean “sacred” or “special”

Basking Shark?

Page 13: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Hawaiian words for rayshīhīmanō (lupe) – stingrays (Dasyatidae) & eagle rays (Actobatus narinari)

Page 14: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 15: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

TeethOnly some uses for shark teeth are known

Sharpest and thinnest “edge” available

Cut designs into kapa bamboo stampers & wooden kapa beaters

Decoration; ornamentation

Page 16: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

LeiomanoClubs, daggers, other weapons or tools made from shark teeth

Koa war club – tiger or great white shark teeth

Page 17: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

LeiomanoFist weapon – tiger or grey reef shark teeth

Fist club – great white shark

Knives/Daggers – great white shark

Page 18: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 19: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 20: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

TattooSince then, it is said, some Hawaiian people tattoo their ankles to let sharks know that their ‘aumakua is a shark

Page 21: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 22: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

TattooTraditionally in Hawaii, the male is tattooed on the inside of the right leg, done as an alaniho, or genealogical tattoo

Page 23: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 24: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 25: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 26: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

TattooStill popular today as either ‘aumakua or good luck in the ocean

Page 27: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 28: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Fishing nuihiTrained like pet pigs; tickled; patted on head

Once used to being touched; rested chin on head of shark

Page 29: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Fishing nuihi

Slipped noose around sharks head with palms facing outward

Tightened noose at center of body

Page 30: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 31: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 32: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Kapa‘aheoOne day the fishermen swam out to protect the girls when they saw Kapa‘aheo on shore

Page 33: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Kapa‘aheoSurrounded girls; speared shark several times; Finally shark swam away

Later found man dying on shore from “spear” wounds

Page 34: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Kapa‘aheoDied and transformed into stone

Page 35: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Nuihi: Tigers & Great WhitesMany sharks use vision to find foodExcellent vision; maybe colorMany Hawaiian legends derived from the shark

Page 36: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Nuihi: Tigers & Great WhitesKamehameha’s mother – craving for nuihi eye; spirit of shark vision

Led to keen vision of Kamehameha’s reign

Page 37: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Hawaiian gods & sharksKamohoali‘i – Pele’s older brother; most celebrated shark god

Kua – king shark of Ka‘ū; ancestor of Ka‘ū folk

Page 38: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 39: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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”

Page 40: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 41: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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)

Page 42: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

‘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

Page 43: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

Kahu manō – shark keeperEither a relative of deceased or kahuna

Page 44: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 45: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 46: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 47: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

What sharks were ‘aumakua?

Page 48: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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

Page 49: Natural History of Sharks, Skates, and Rays Sharks and Hawaiian Culture MARE 394 Dr. Turner

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