Culture of the Oan Isles: Difference between revisions

The '''culture of the Oan Isles''' refers to the customs, traditions, and prevalent aesthetic tastes that pervade people who live in [[the Oan Isles]]. Because the Oan Isles is the ancestral home of the [[Oan people]] who in turn make up by far the largest ethnic group, their customs and tastes dominate the rest of society. Furthermore, [[Mauism]], infuses rituals, customs and symbology into the culture of the Oan Isles due to being the majority religion as well as having being practices in the country for centuries. Before Mauism and [[Thaerism]] were introduced in the Oan Isles, there existed various folk beliefs. These led to the formation of superstitions, myths and legends that persist in the form of beliefs or aesthetic features and customs despite being persecuted starting with [[Ahua the Great]].

 

==National symbols==

===National haka===

The lyrics of the official national haka of the Oan Isles (titled the ''Boy and the Sea'' also known as ''Te Tamaiti me he Moana'' in Oan) were written by Uma Te Puru, a poet and writer, in 3 AU (1003 CE) to celebrate the unification of th3 Oan Isles by [[Ahua the Great]]. It is chanted in various occasions such as sporting events. At the time it was one of many war chants or haka. However, the version used by the Nga Toka was official declared the national haka in 120 AU (1120 CE) by decree of Apauhana II. It remains one of the oldest national chants/anthems in the world. It is chanted without instrumentation with a fixed rhythm and beat. There is an official choreography but it is not compulsory. Different tribes, subtribes and clans use different choreographies. If it is being performed by one person or a group of people who have rehearsed, they can make up their own moved.

{|

|''Behold, the blue bird calls to you<br>He speaks with a voice of thunder<br>"Put aside the blades of war"<br>"I have chosen my special one" <br>"He is a boy with thighs of bronze" <br>"He will unite you in the name of Heaven" <br>"Rise people of the Isles" <br>"Defeat the barbarian, white as death" <br>"Take your canoes, I will be with you" <br>"I have given you the boy and the sea" ''

|}

===Royal haka===

The Royal haka was written in 1321 following the Mauist victory over the Thaerists. It was written by Upake Tupuni. It was written to celebrate the triumph of Mauism over Thaerism. The song featured symbology and mythology that was associated with Mauism. Although it is similar to the National haka in that it speaks about the role of Ahua the Great in uniting the country, it places heavier emphasis on legitimizing the Royal line through its descent to Ahua the Great and its links to Maui. The Royal haka is specifically interesting because it is narrative as opposed to being a long quotation like the first haka is. It is usually sung in ceremonies that pertain to the Oan monarchy and the Royal family. It is written in the form of praise poetry. In the reign of [[Rangitake the Great]], Opehana Taukuna added the last five verses to indicate that unlike his father Tamatea II, the monarch must be willing to sacrifice himself for the nation as he believed his father was unable and unwilling to do.