Society Islands
| Native name: Îles de la Société | |
|---|---|
Flag
|
|
 |
|
| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 17°32′S 149°50′W / 17.533°S 149.833°WCoordinates: 17°32′S 149°50′W / 17.533°S 149.833°W |
| Archipelago | Society Islands |
| Major islands | Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Huahine |
| Area | 1,590 km2 (610 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 2,241 m (7,352 ft) |
| Highest point | Mont Orohena |
| Administration | |
|
France
|
|
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Largest settlement | Papeete (pop. 133,627 urban) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 235,295 (2012) |
| Pop. density | 148 /km2 (383 /sq mi) |
The Society Islands (French: Îles de la Société or officially Archipel de la Société; Tahitian: Tōtaiete mā) includes a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It is, politically and legally, part of French Polynesia. The archipelago is believed to have been named by Captain James Cook during his first voyage in 1769, supposedly in honour of the Royal Society, the sponsor of the first British scientific survey of the islands; however, Cook, himself, stated in his journal that he called the islands Society "as they lay contiguous to one another."
The islands are divided, both geographically and administratively, into two groups:
The islands became a French protectorate in 1843 and a colony in 1880. They have a population of 235,295 inhabitants (as of 2012[update]). They cover a land area of 1,590 square kilometres (610 sq mi).
The islanders explain their origins in term of a myth. The feathered god Ta'aroa lay in his shell. He called out but no-one answered, so he went back into his shell, where he stayed for aeons. When he came out he changed his body into the multi-layered dome of the sky. Other parts of his body he transformed into Papa-fenua, the earth. Other parts he made into Te Tuma, the ata, or shadow of his phallus. Ta'aroa said, "Cast your eyes on my phallus. Gaze upon it and insert it in the earth." He came down to earth at "Opoa in Havai'i" (now Ra'iatea), one of the most sacred places in the Society Islands. Other gods were created, and these ran directly into the time of the people. The high chiefs or ari'i rahi were descendants from the gods, reckoned to be forty generation previously. In their presence commoners showed respect by stripping to the waist. The high chiefs erected marae as places of worship.
In the generations before Europeans arrived, a cult called 'Oro-maro-'ura developed: the cult of the red-feathered girdle. This became a tangible symbol of the chief's power. Key followers of the 'Oro cult were the 'arioi, who lived separately from the common people. They wore scented flowers and adorned themselves with scents and scarlet-dyed cloth. The head of each 'arioi group was heavily tattooed from ankle to thigh and known as a blackleg. Both male and female blacklegs were a privileged group but they were forbidden to have children. Their babies were all killed at birth. They received and gave lavish presents. They had a wide range of artistic skills and could be priests, navigators and lore specialists. Only good-looking men or women could become 'arioi. They played a crucial role in ceremonies associated with birth, deaths and marriage.
...
Wikipedia