Tag Archives: Polynesian Culture

Bark Cloth: The Oldest Mourning Garment?

Bark cloth has long been crafted in Borneo to create mourning garments after the death of a loved one
Posted on November 20, 2014 by MaryFrances Knapp (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Reflecting on the material items various countries associate with death and dying can be telling on both a ritualistic and practical level (ex. “Western” culture’s penchant for wearing black to funerals; South Korea’s move towards “burial beads” in the wake … Continue reading →

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New Zealand: Death Tattoos & the Maori

New Zealand's "ta moko" tattoos are traced back to Maori death and memorial rituals
Posted on July 10, 2014 by MaryFrances Knapp (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Traditional New Zealand death rituals use expression and creativity as a cathartic means to get through the grieving process while memorializing a loved one. It’s a philosophy that is perhaps best represented in the Maori tradition of tattooing, known as … Continue reading →

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The Tulafale’s Role: Samoan Oratorial Traditions for Death and Funeral

Appointed family orators facilitate the process of death and funeral in Samoan culture
Posted on April 3, 2014 by Zoë Byrne (Editor in Chief, SevenPonds)

The Samoans, one of the largest Polynesian populations in the world, cherish the importance of storytelling and tradition by appointing a select family member as an orator chief, known as a “tulafale.” The tulafale holds the major responsibility of spreading … Continue reading →

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