ANCIENT HAWAII Meaning and
Definition
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Ancient Hawaii refers to the historical period and cultural era that predates the arrival of European explorers and settlers in Hawaii. Spanning from around 300 AD until 1778 AD, ancient Hawaii is characterized by the development and establishment of the indigenous Hawaiian society, known as the Native Hawaiian civilization.
During this period, Hawaii was a highly organized society governed by a hierarchical system that involved various social classes. Power was centralized in the hands of the ali'i, or chiefs, who were believed to have divine ancestry and ruled over different regions or islands. They were supported by the warrior class and the lower classes included skilled workers, farmers, and commoners.
Religion played a central role in ancient Hawaiian society, and the people practiced a polytheistic religion with a belief in numerous gods and goddesses. They paid homage to them through rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices offered in sacred places called heiau. The kapu system, a set of strict rules and taboos, regulated social behavior and ensured order and stability within the society.
Agriculture was vital for ancient Hawaiians, who cultivated various crops such as taro, sweet potatoes, coconuts, and breadfruit. They also engaged in fishing and coastal activities to supplement their diet. The early Polynesian settlers brought with them the knowledge of making canoes and navigating vast distances across the Pacific Ocean, enabling them to explore and settle in the isolated Hawaiian Islands.
Overall, ancient Hawaii was a society rich in cultural customs, traditions, and practices that developed throughout centuries of isolation. This period laid the foundation for the unique Hawaiian identity and heritage that still resonates in contemporary Hawaiian culture today.
Etymology of ANCIENT HAWAII
The word ancient comes from the Latin word antiquus, which means old or former. It entered the English language in the late 14th century and was derived from the Old French word ancien. Ancien was itself derived from the Latin word ante, meaning before or in front of.
The word Hawaii has its origins in the Hawaiian language, and the exact etymology of the term is not entirely clear. One theory suggests that it may have come from the Proto-Polynesian word hawaiki, which referred to the ancestral homeland of the Polynesian people before their migration to the Hawaiian Islands. Another theory suggests that Hawaii is derived from the Proto-Hawaiian word Hawa-i, meaning place of the gods or Homeland.
