NOTE: This is part ten of a thirteen part article. Enjoy!!!
Part X- Polynesian History (1595 – Present)
Coral Road - Rangiroa
After 200 years of cultural contamination by European visitors, the Polynesian way of life once nurtured by isolation was about to come to an end. The final blows to Polynesian culture were delivered by missionaries, merchants and whalers. Starting as early as 1797, numerous missionary groups arrived in the name of various Christian religions with the higher purpose to eliminate everything in conflict with their narrow idealistic view of the world; namely nudism, free sexuality, art, tattooing, singing, dancing, and savagery. Sadly, the cultural vacuum encouraged prostitution, servitude, alcoholism, and death from disease. Richly embellished Marquesan artifacts were distributed to collectors all over the world. The result was a cultural collapse and a horrific decline in population.
Tattooing was outlawed in 1884, however the practice still existed in some outlying islands or was covered with clothing. Comically, as tattooing was outlawed in Polynesia, sailors who had seen and received tattoos in Polynesia brought the skill back to England and tattoo shops sprang up in the port cities. The electric tattoo machine was patented in 1891 by American Samuel Reilly. Today, tattooing is a worldwide phenomenon.
Coral Beach - Rangiroa
As the Pomare dynasty ended, the French took control of the islands. The islands became modest producers of vanilla, cotton, and copra and had limited strategic benefit during World War II. In 1946, Polynesia became an official territory of France and in 1957, the islands became French Polynesia. France used the area as a testing ground for nuclear weapons. Today the French government would like to see the islands become independent. This would save France money but create challenges for Polynesia. Currently, France offers attractive tax breaks to investors who wish to develop tourism, namely luxury hotels. Papeete is in the process of modernizing their airport. French Polynesia now has their own airline,Tahiti Nui. The tourism industry is no longer at the mercy of air carriers that could remove French Polynesia from their schedule.
More to follow, Part XI is on its way. Suzan
