Sharks and Hawaiian beliefs
Before missionaries introduced their concept of one God to Hawai'i in 1820, Polynesians had an intricate nature-oriented belief system.
Sharks were viewed in complex ways. Before contact with the West, shark teeth provided their most frequently used cutting edge, functioning as a knife.
Sharks skins were used for the membrane of temple and hula drums of large size. Most important, because of their dangerous nature, some sharks were considered to be the equal of high ali’i, and to some, ali’i was attributed the dangerous devouring nature of sharks.
Although shark meat from certain species was occasionally eaten by men, it was forbidden to women because of the association of sharks with religious concepts of kapu, power, and high ali’i status.
Concept of ‘aumakua
The Aumakua is a benevolent guardian spirit or family protector, a dead ancestor's spirit that takes on another form for a very specific purpose.
It could come in the form of clouds, trees or animals, a sea turtle, a hawk, a lizard, a pueo (owl) or any other animal, plant or mineral.
The owl, the eel and the whale were also famous 'aumakua."
But the best known of the 'aumakua seems to be the shark.
How is the 'aumakua determined?
Sometimes these spirits are called upon by surviving family members through special rituals. Usually this was done to ask for protection, comfort and spiritual support or to grant requests for mercy and to ask for warnings of pending disasters or destruction.
Another way would be some kind of sign when an 'aumakua made itself known, by behaving in a non-threatening manner, or even coming to the aid of a family member in a dangerous situation. The recognition between human and animal is instant and mutual.
Many a canoe paddler has told of being lost or in danger between the islands, only to be guided by his 'aumakua in the form of a dolphin or shark to a safe landing
Sharks as ‘aumakua
A frequent assumption is that an entire species was regarded as ‘aumakua. However, usually only an individual animal might be possessed by an ‘aumakua, and then only as the occasion might demand.
Some families, for example, believed that the spirit of an ancestor could appear as a shark, perhaps to chase fish into their nets, or to guide a lost canoe to safety. This does not imply that these families regarded all sharks as their ‘ ‘aumakua; neither does it mean that a particular shark was always an ‘aumakua.
To be precise, it means that an ‘aumakua had chosen to take possession of a particular shark for a particular purpose. But for these families, the killing or eating of any shark was an act of filial disrespect, for which the ‘aumakua might punish them by bringing sickness or even death.
Every Hawaiian has an 'aumakua, and sometimes two (one each from their mother's side and their father's side), and many still believe in this concept.
But these days many people don't know anymore what their families aumakua is, or what it meant, or they feel it is an outdated believe. The ones that do believe are able to combine their nature-oriented beliefs of spirits with their Christian faith.
Most Hawaiians will not speak about their 'aumakua with anyone outside their families.
Niuhi: A Fierce Predator
It is likely that niuhi referred to both species of dangerous sharks in Hawaii, the tiger and the great white.
Ancient Hawaiians probably distinguished between them, but only this one term survived through oral traditions.
Tigers occur fairly commonly in Hawaiian waters.
In contrast, great white sharks occur only rarely. The teeth of great whites were used in Hawaiian tools and weapons. The triangular design in feather cloaks and tattoos is very likely based on the shape of the tooth of a great white shark. The fierceness of the predator also being associated with the wearer.
It may be possible that great white sharks were more abundant in Hawai’I during a period when monk seals may have colonized the main islands.
Whether a given species is rare or common now, it is highly likely that all sharks were more abundant in ancient Hawai’i.
Today’s high population, heavy fishing, and extensive disturbance to nearshore waters take their toll on all the organisms in Hawaiian seas.
Hawaiians did kill sharks, but only for specific purposes, and given that they used nothing more than a canoe and a spear or fishhook, obviously they took sharks in small quantities. And they wasted nothing.
Much of this text is referenced from the book “Sharks of Hawaii” by Leighton Taylor
For detailed information about the concept of ‘Aumakua go to these websites:
Herb Kawainui Kane www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dar/sharks/pdf/APaperbyHerbKane.pdf
Kahu Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr. www.moolelo.com/sharks.html |
Sharks and Hawaiian beliefs
