Running head: POLYNESIAN CULTURE

Polynesian Culture
Lisa Palmer
Salt Lake Community College
OT Professional Issues I: OTA 1210 - 001
February 20, 2015
Taylor Hoyt

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Polynesian Culture

The Polynesian culture consists of about fourteen islands that are all in a area called the
Polynesian Triangle. The islands that anchor this triangle are Hawaii, Easter Island, and
Aotearoa (also known as New Zealand). In the boundaries of that triangle there are another 11
countries. Within all of these countries there is a beautiful culture full of love and joy. The
following points are things that important to them.
Respect is a major part of the Polynesian culture: They are taught and expected to
respect their elders (the oldest), chief, and the adult. They help them in any way possible and
allow them to go first in any line. The boys are also taught and expected to respect girls and
women. They are not to disrespect them in any way.
Tattoos are a great importance: Tattoos are a symbol of who they are, the tribe they
come from, and showed rank and status. In Samoa this has been a tradition for many years. The
traditional art of tattooing is still done by hand using a mallet to tap the teeth of the ink-laden
comb. This is a very painful process that can take hours, days, and weeks done mostly on men.
Many men would under go this traditional process so not to be labeled a coward. This art is
usually passes down from father to son.
They have a strong family structure: The Polynesian culture has a very sturdy family
structure that has been around for many years. The families were in tribes that consisted of many
generations and they were there for each other. They would help raise each others children and
protected one another. They were taught by grandparents about the tribes ways and even about
sexuality. The family structure is so important that they feel that when a loved one passes on that
they are still around them in spirit to guide them.
Gender roles are defined: Male and female have a definitive role in the Polynesian

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culture. These roles vary somewhat from country to county. In Samoa the man hunts, cooks,
and the woman nurtures and takes care of the home. Some countries the women have a lower
status then men and in other countries, or even islands within the same country, they have the
same status. When working with a person you may need to be in tune with what you are seeing
and if necessary ask questions to find out if there is a defined gender role for them.
Etiquette in greeting others: In some of the countries they do the hongi (touching of
noses), if not a hand shake, hug, or the cheek kiss depending on the degree of intimacy of the
relationship. They do not pass another person without saying a word of greeting. They are a
very happy and friendly people. They make people feel like they have been friends for a very
long time or are like family. It would be important to say hello or acknowledge them when
passing them in the hall or other situation.
Touch can be offensive, but is also considered very important: It is important to
know which touches are proper and which are not in the Polynesian culture. The head is a sacred
feature and should not be touched. If you must touch someones head you should ask for
permission to do so. It is customary to touch, like the arm, while holding a conversation. You
certainly do not pat like you would a dog or cat, that would be offensive especially if it is a older
person. Try to be familiar with these areas of touch when treating someone who is of the
Polynesian culture.
Respect their personal space: In the Polynesian culture it is important to realize that the
men do not allow women to help them with toileting or bathing when they are not able to do it
themselves and also the women do not allow the men to help them. It is very important to be
sensitive to this matter so that you do not make them feel embarrassed or humiliated. As an

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occupational therapist it would be vital to handle these situations delicately and to not be
offended if they request to have someone of their same gender to help them in these situations.
Polynesians are not in a hurry: These fun and loveable people like to take their time to
do things. In the countries they come from there is not the hustle and bustle of life as we know it
here in the United States. They are laid back and do not rush to get something or to get a project
done. As a occupational therapist practitioner it will be of great benefit to find out if there is
something that interests them so that they will want to work and progress quicker or to find a
constant speed they are willing to work at.
Names are of great significance: The names the Polynesians give to their children have
great meaning. These names are not easy to pronounce so it is important as a occupational
therapist practitioner to ask how to say their name. It may not be easy to say and the person may
give you a shortened version to call them.
Grateful for everything: One of the most important attributes to the Polynesian people
is gratitude. They show gratitude to their God, grandparents, extended family, and all around
them. They are grateful for everything that they have and all the beauties around them. This is
something in the culture that they want their kids to gain because they do not want them to
expect things but to see that what they have is enough and be grateful for them.
The people of the Polynesian islands are such happy people and easy to get along with.
They have strong support to help them through trying times and will usually have loved ones
around them to help. It is important to be aware of the customs that they have so we do not cross
the line of offensiveness.

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Cultural Assignment Reflection

This project was very interesting and very useful to me so that I know there are
differences that other cultures have then what I have been raised with. The Polynesian culture is
very happy and friendly, yet I did not realize that you should not touch their head unless you ask
permission to do so first. Working in the health care industry I will have the opportunity to work
with people who are from all walks of life and different parts of the world. I need to make sure
that I am sensitive to the people I help so that I do not cause them to put up walls because I am
doing something offensive to them.
By doing this assignment I know that I need to familiarize myself with the many different
cultures I have around me. I need to understand what customs and beliefs they have in regards to
their bodies and who, gender or status, should be doing things for them and what they do in their
culture. The person you are trying to help may not work with you very well if you do something
that insults their beliefs. This assignment has opened my eyes to the importance of doing
research on cultures I am not acquainted with so I can be the best possible occupation therapist
practitioner I can be.

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References

History of Tattoo. (2003, January 1). Retrieved February 20, 2015, from
http://www.pbs.org/skinstories/history/.
Kiste, R. (2014, May 4). Polynesian Culture. Retrieved February 21, 2015, from
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/468832/Polynesianculture/276577/Stratification.
Ora, K., Lava, T., Lava, F., Orana, K., Lelei, M., & Vanaka, B. (2014, January 1). Maori and
Pacific Island Customs and Beliefs. Retrieved February 20, 2015, from
http://www.amitabhahospice.org/public/helpful_info/maori.php.
Samoa Social Life and CustomsEdit This Page. (2015, January 1). Retrieved February 21, 2015,
from https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Samoa_Social_Life_and_Customs.
Samoan Tattoos, Tatau, Tribal Tattoos, Designs | Polynesian Cultural Center. (2014, January 1).
Retrieved February 21, 2015, from
http://www.polynesia.com/polynesian_culture/samoa/samoantattoos.html#.VOfNgkvZf1o.
Walker, A. (2015, January 1). Countries and Their Cultures. Retrieved February 21, 2015, from
http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Fiji.html.
Wilson, P. (2015, January 1). Countries and Their Cultures. Retrieved February 21,
2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/New-Zealand.html.