A Vision of Makahiki

Compiled by

Nancy Lawrence

The MakahikiSeason

• Began with the rising of the Pleiades• Celebrated the god, Lono• Time of harvest rituals and games• Period for peace and taxation

The Pleiades

( or Na Huihui o Makali’i )

The Moon and Makali’i ( or Pleiades ) announce the arrival of the Makahiki season.

In ancient Hawaiian religion, LONO was a god of:

Peace

Sports

Agriculture

Healing

Crafts

Cultural practices.

An image of Lono called Akua Loa was carved on the top of a long wooden staff over 12 feet in height. Another wooden pole was tied as a cross-piece just below this carving. Upon this pole hung long sheets of white kapa that represented the billowing clouds of the heavens--one of the symbolic essences of Lono.

Lono’s staff was carried around each island to district boundary markers and altars where taxes and tributes were collected

Gourd masks were associated with festivities honoring the god Lono. The man not paddling,

carries a religious image representing Lono.

Taxes and tributes in the form of cultivated crops, artisan handiwork, fishing nets, feather cloaks, helmets, yards of kapa (tapa cloth), calabashes, canoes, stone tools and implements, and woven mats were collected by the priests of Lono for the island chief.

Conch Blower greets the dawning of the Makahiki

Ho’okupu, or offerings of gifts, were presented at Makahiki festivities.

Presentation of Ho’okupu

Makahiki

A time of harvest and plenty.

The peaceful Makahiki season was marked by feasting and by a relaxation of the kapu system.

During the Makahiki season, the high chief and his court made a progress around the island to receive

tribute.

Ali’i and commoners gathered for competitions during the peaceful time of the Makahiki season. The competitions helped warriors keep in shape.

During Makahiki, Ali’i and commoners alike took part in sporting activities such as the Holua Slide.

Konane (checkers)Bo

ard

Uma (Arm Wrestling )

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Ulumaika(bowling)

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Hei (String Figure Game)

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Kukini (Foot Race)

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Pala’ie

(Loop and Ball Game)

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Haka Moa

(Chicken Fight)

Image Acknowledgements for Makahiki Slideshow

Slides 6, 8, 11, 16: http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/a_makahiki.shmlE. Kalani Flores, Hawaiian cultural advisor to the Internet magazine, AlohaSlide 3: www.cv.nrao.edu/~pmurphy/images/ astro/pleiades.pngSlide 4: www.starastronomy.org/.../ AlM/pictures/MOONPIX2.GIFSlide 14: www.hawaiireserves.com/ HRI/Images/Lono.jpgSlide 5: www.hbws.org/waterforlife/chapter3/ ch3_images/boxing.jpg Slide 7: hawaiiantrading.com/herb-kane/image-pg/ visitor-otherworld.jpg Page 81, Voyagers by Herb KaneSlide 9: www.aloha-hawaii.com/afh_gif/ a_makahiki_7.gifSlide12:www.honoluluadvertiser.com/specials/stateofthehawaiians/cover.

jpgSlide 18: www.kalo.org/opio/ makahiki.JPGSlide 10: www.all-travel.com/images/ Pleasant/conch_blower.jpgSlide 15: www.kualoa.com/images/ History_Council_chiefs_painting.jpgSlide 13: by Herb Kauwainui Kane 1991Slides 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25:Thanks to Kuulei, Lihau, and Kamalu Peters.

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