Ceremonies /Name Selection

Photos Steve West / Jim Welch
Text Kawika Sands / Steve West
Extract from Paddlers Guide to Outrigger Canoeing

To Purchase On-Line

 

Performing traditional, Hawaiian-style ceremonies, incorporating ‘local’ perspectives and content or performing a completely local ceremony, are all fine, no matter where you live. My reasoning for this relates to one familiar debate in Hawaiian cultural discussions, exactly when did Hawaiian culture become ‘Hawaiian’? Going back in time, the kanaka maoli, the first inhabitants of the Hawaiian archipelago, brought with them Tahitian and before that Marquesan culture. Then there is the journey back through Samoa and on back to Southeast Asia. All along this path, the existing culture changed and developed and probably changed again.

Therefore, it can be argued that Hawaiian culture, as we know it, is the latest ‘photograph’ of the development of this branch of Polynesian culture. That being the case, the ceremony has also changed along the way. It follows that if the ceremony has changed from the past to present-day, it's not surprising that it will continue to change wherever the wa`a takes it. However, I will argue that one who pretends to be in any way conversant with Hawaiian customs and language, and presumes to use a Hawaiian term, ought to know the proper pronunciation.

 

Selecting Wa`a Names (Hawai`i)

Prayer before race, Huahine, Society Islands, Hawaiki Nui Va`a.

 

You are of course free to name your canoe as you wish. However, traditionally speaking, since the wa`a is regarded to have mana [spirit] of it's own and is to be considered one of the ohana [family] you should give the same consideration as if you are naming a child of your own. In Hawaiian traditions it is not unusual to name it for the surrounding waters or lands, the people or persons who are responsible for it's acquisition, the ones for which it is intended, for inspirational or historical reasons and so on. However, trying to translate a name or phrase into Hawaiian for naming purposes can be a little tricky. When there is no direct translation, it is necessary to look at the meaning of the phrase as a whole to be translated instead of the individual words.

 

Tahitian Words/Language

Hawaiian Dictionary On-Line 

 

Burial Ceremonies

It’s not uncommon that departed long-time watermen and women would be cremated and have their ashes spread upon the ocean in which they played. Nor is it uncommon for a remembrance ceremony to be held, without the formality the spreading of ashes. Like most Polynesian ceremonies, sunrise appears to be the most poignant time to hold such ceremony. Paddling onto the water before the sun rises, va`a can come together in silence. Once the sun has risen, words can be spoken by whomever needs to express their self – often regarding the life of that person, but it can also be to express an apology to or regrets. The idea is to create positive mana energy and to let that person go in peace. Symbolically, prayer is followed by the practice of throwing flower leis into the ocean.

 

Watermen’s’ Burial Poem

Bury me deep in the clear blue sea

Where the crashing waves will spray over me

Where my soul will rise with the risen sun

And be surfing [paddling] still when the day is done.