- Polynesian Triangle
The Polynesian Triangle is a region of the
Pacific Ocean anchored by three island groups: Hawai‘i,Easter Island (Rapa Nui) andNew Zealand . The many island cultures within this vast triangle speakPolynesian languages which are classified by linguists as part of the Malayo-Polynesian subgroup and thus ultimately derive from the proto-Austronesian language spoken inSoutheast Asia 5000 years ago. Polynesians also share similar cultural traditions, arts, religion, and sciences. Anthropologists believe that all modern Polynesian cultures descend from a singleprotoculture established in the South Pacific by migrant Malayo-Polynesian people ("see also"Lapita ).The seven main Polynesian cultures are from:
*
New Zealand (Aotearoa in contemporary Māori)
* Hawai‘i
*Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
*Marquesas (Te Fenua ‘Enata / Te Henua Kenana)
* Sāmoa
*Tahiti
*Tonga Fiji has aMelanesian culture but one with significant Polynesian influence. It is sometimes mistaken for being a part of Polynesia.ee also
External links
* [http://www.bishopmuseum.org/ Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum]
* [http://www.polynesia.com/ Polynesian Cultural Center]
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