9.2 Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Pacific Art

The Pacific Islands have a rich cultural heritage that has been shaped by centuries of interactions between different cultural groups. The art and artifacts created in these communities provide important insight into the beliefs, values, and traditions of the people who lived there. This study guide will explore several key examples of cultural interactions in the Pacific Islands, including the Staff God, the Buk Mask from the Torres Strait, Tamati Waka Nene, a Navigation Chart, and the Presentation of Fijian Mats and Tapa Cloths to Queen Elizabeth II. Through these examples, we will gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which different cultures have interacted with each other in the Pacific Islands and the significance of these interactions in shaping the cultural heritage of these communities.

Staff god

Staff-god in its barkcloth wrapping, late 18th–early 19th century, wood, paper mulberry bark, feather, 396 cm, Rarotonga, Cook Islands (© Trustees of the British Museum)

• A type of religious artifact used in Pacific Island cultures, such as those of Polynesia and Melanesia
• Represented a deity or spirit and served as a symbol of spiritual power
• Typically carved from wood and adorned with decorative elements such as feathers, shells, and other natural materials
• Used in religious rituals and ceremonies to communicate with the gods, request their protection, or seek blessings
• Can reflect the cultural beliefs, spiritual practices, and artistic traditions of Pacific Island societies.
• The design, style, and materials used in a staff god can provide insight into the cultural context in which it was created and used.
• Staff gods often represented male deities and were considered symbols of masculinity and power, reflecting the patriarchal nature of many Pacific Island societies.
• Staff gods can provide important information about the spiritual and cultural beliefs of Pacific Island peoples and their relationships with the gods and spirits they worshiped.

Buk (mask)

Mask (Buk), Torres Strait, Mabuiag Island, mid to late 19th century,turtle shell, wood, cassowary feathers, fiber, resin, shell, paint, 21 1/2 inches high (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

• A specific type of Buk mask originating from the Torres Strait Islands, located between the northern coast of Australia and southern coast of Papua New Guinea
• The Torres Strait Islands have a rich cultural heritage, and the Buk masks made there reflect the unique blend of indigenous and colonial influences found in the region
• Buk masks from the Torres Strait are typically carved from wood and feature intricate designs, including patterns and imagery inspired by the local flora and fauna, as well as cultural motifs from the surrounding region.
• These masks were often used in traditional dances, ceremonies, and other cultural events, and could serve a variety of purposes, including storytelling, spiritual communication, and cultural preservation.
• The use of specific materials, such as the intricate shell and pearl inlays that are often found on Buk masks from the Torres Strait, is an important part of their cultural significance.
• Buk masks from the Torres Strait represent a unique form of Pacific Island art and can provide important insights into the cultural, spiritual, and historical context of the Torres Strait Islands and the surrounding region.

 Tamati Waka Nene

Gottfried Lindauer, Tamati Waka Nene, 1890, oil on canvas, 101.9 x 84.2 cm (Auckland Art Gallery)

• Tamati Waka Nene was a Maori warrior and chief from New Zealand in the early 19th century.
• He played a significant role in the interactions between Maori and European settlers in New Zealand, working to establish peaceful relations and to protect Maori land and culture.
• Tamati Waka Nene was depicted in several works of art, including paintings, carvings, and sculptures, many of which were created to commemorate his life and legacy.
• These artworks serve as important visual representations of Tamati Waka Nene and the historical context of his life and the interactions between Maori and European settlers in New Zealand.
• The artistic styles used to depict Tamati Waka Nene reflect the cultural influences present in New Zealand at the time, including elements of Maori, European, and Pacific Island artistic traditions.
• In these artworks, Tamati Waka Nene is often depicted as a strong and proud warrior, with symbols of his rank and status prominently displayed.
• The depiction of Tamati Waka Nene in Pacific Island art provides important insight into the cultural, political, and historical context of New Zealand during the early 19th century, and is an important example of the interactions between cultures in the Pacific Islands.

Navigation chart

Navigation chart (rebbelib), probably 19th century C.E., wood, shell, 67.5 x 99 x 3 cm, Marshall Islands, Micronesia  © Trustees of the British Museum

• Navigation charts were used by Pacific Island peoples, including the Polynesians, Micronesians, and Melanesians, to navigate the vast Pacific Ocean and to find their way to new islands and territories.
• These charts were often created on pieces of cloth, bark, or other materials and were often decorated with intricate designs and symbols.
• The navigation charts often incorporated elements of local mythology and cosmology, reflecting the beliefs and cultural practices of the island peoples who created them.
• The use of navigation charts was an important aspect of Pacific Island culture, as they allowed these peoples to explore new territories and to establish trade and cultural exchange with other island communities.
• The navigation charts served as important tools for maintaining and transmitting cultural knowledge from one generation to the next, and are a valuable record of the cultural and navigational practices of Pacific Island peoples.
• The study of Pacific Island navigation charts provides important insight into the cultural, historical, and navigational practices of these island communities, and is an important example of the interactions between cultures in the Pacific Islands.

Presentation of Fijian mats and tapa cloths to Queen Elizabeth II

Presentation of Fijian mats and tapa cloths to Queen Elizabeth II during the 1953–54 royal tour, silver gelatin print, 16.5 x 22 cm (Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand)

Mat, Fiji, date unknown, pandanus leaf, 176.5 x 77.5 cm (Auckland War Memorial Museum)

• The presentation of Fijian mats and tapa cloths to Queen Elizabeth II was a significant cultural exchange between the Fijian people and the British royal family.
• The mats and tapa cloths were traditional woven textiles created by Fijian women, and were often used for both functional and ceremonial purposes.
• The presentation of these textiles to the Queen served to showcase Fijian cultural practices and to establish a connection between the Fijian people and the British royal family.
• The presentation of Fijian mats and tapa cloths to Queen Elizabeth II is a significant example of the interactions between cultures in the Pacific Islands, and demonstrates the importance of cultural exchange in these communities.
• The study of this cultural exchange provides important insight into the cultural practices and traditions of the Fijian people, as well as the role of traditional textiles in Fijian culture.
• It is also an example of how the exchange of cultural objects and practices can play a role in promoting understanding and cooperation between different cultural groups.

In conclusion, the Pacific Islands are a fascinating example of cultural interactions across time and space. The Staff God, Buk Mask, Tamati Waka Nene, Navigation Chart, and Presentation of Fijian Mats and Tapa Cloths to Queen Elizabeth II all serve as powerful examples of how different cultures have come together to create unique and vibrant communities. These works of art and artifacts showcase the strength and resilience of Pacific Island cultures and their ability to adapt and evolve over time. They also serve as important reminders of the ways in which cultural exchange has shaped the world we live in today and the importance of preserving these cultural traditions for future generations.