User:Hanmariep/Evaluate an Article

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Hawaiian religion

Why you have chosen this article to evaluate?
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I chose this article because I am fascinated by Hawaiian mythology and religion and I feel as though it is not talked about nearly as much as other mythologies or religions.

Evaluate the article
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Hawaiian religion and mythology is polytheistic, meaning there are many gods/goddesses that are acknowledged in this religion. Hawaiian chants are often considered "Kapu" or sacred to the Native Islanders, and the chiefs or hierarchy would use these chants to keep a close relationship with their gods. Hawaiian history also had what they called their "Kahuna" which were thought of as the leaders of the "Maka'ainana" or common-people. The Kahuna were very wise and helped to carry on the religions and beliefs of the Hawaiian culture for many generations, almost how the elders in Native American history were idolized and maintained a close relationship with their own gods.

Prayer was incredibly prominent in Hawaiian history. The Hawaiian people would pray to their gods using chant most of the time, but even during daily life, they would pray to the applicable god for common things such as building a home etc... These prayers were also brought forth to what they called a "Heiau". The Heiau's were sacred areas of land which usually contained some sort of structure upon them where the people would bring offerings to their gods through their Ali'i or chief. One very interesting thing about Hawaiian religion is that the gods are powerful, but so was man. Hawaiian culture sees "mana" or power in their gods, but also within themselves, which almost created a direct link between the gods and with man. There are not many cultures who believe that they are powerful enough to compare themselves with their gods, but Hawaiian religion saw differently.

Hawaiian culture and religion is thought to be a descendent from the Polynesian culture and religion. Since the early inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands were more than likely travelers from Polynesia or Tahiti, their beliefs were heavily influenced by the cultures before them. Hawaiian and Polynesian beliefs were more largely focused on natural phenomena. They had four major gods; Kane (god of sky and creation), Ku (god of war and male pursuits), Lono (god of peace, rain, and fertility), and Kanaloa (god of the ocean). Similar to other religions during this time, the Hawaiians used gods to better understand how nature worked, and how it is important to maintain a moral compass.

Eventually, with the death of King Kamehameha the Great, his wives convinced Kamehameha II to toss out their old religions with the newfound Christian missionaries that had seemingly taken over their land. According to the article, some Hawaiians chose to follow the Christian religious beliefs that were introduced, and others chose to remain true to their original historic beliefs. Unfortunately, like so many other ancient religions, Christianity heavily influenced it to change.