Polynesia

Deprecated: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is deprecated, use preg_replace_callback instead in /www/htdocs/w006958f/polynesia/wp-includes/functions-formatting.php on line 76

Europeans and Americans were looking for coats, new routes and resources when they invaded Polynesia. They showed little respect for the milleniums old cultures.

Diseases they brought with them and slavery carried off the biggest part of the population.

But they also made expeditions to discover new sea routes and land. On these ships there were scientists who studied the Polynesians’ language. They brought first evidence of Polynesian traditions: tattoo art, holy dances, ritual acts and literature.

With the invasion of Calvinists (Christian missionaries) many of the old traditions disappeared.