Even though I'm not Polynesian, (I'm Micronesian). I'm still glad that I and others still get to see some representation of our island peoples. :)
Mmm, I would agree with you to a certain degree. While I think the concept of Moana is nice, I don’t necessarily agree with it, nor do I think it’s a good idea. Here are some concerns that I (and others) have had with this film:
First off, the creators themselves (according to imdb) “In the October 20, 2014 interview with Huffington Post, director Ron Clements recalls the experience of visiting the islands of the South Pacific to gain artistic and authentic references for the film” which you know, would be cool, except for one thing: not all of the South Pacific believed/believe in Maui. From my understanding, and readings I’ve done, Maui was Polynesian-centric. So why are they crediting the South Pacific as a whole? To homogenize Polynesia (and the South Pacific) as the same is disrespectful. We may have similarities, but we are not the same.
Secondly, they’ve NEVER specified where Moana comes from. I’ve seen people say she’s supposed to be from Aoeteroa, she’s supposed to Maori. But I’ve never seen it confirmed that she is in fact Maori. So ????? all the it says is that she comes from a chief and family of navigators. Which ???? why does that make her Polynesian?
Thirdly, from the photos I’ve seen, Moana’s dad Tui has a pe’a. Which that specific tattoo comes from Samoa, and yet Moana’s outfit isn’t anything I’ve seen in indigenous Samoan photography? Her “skirt” or whatever the hell it is she’s wearing could almost be mistaken for Tongan.. But idk, it doesn’t look right to me.
Fourthly: wtf are these tattoos? that doesn’t look tribal at all. it looks like they threw together a bunch of designs that they thought were tribal on a brown animation and called it Polynesian. how fuckin disrespectful?
and lastly, I’ll keep saying and saying it until I die: but Polynesia is not the only thing that comes from the South Pacific. South Pacific cultures are not just one big culture. We aren’t just one big tribe called Polynesia. We are all different islands with different cultures and different gods and goddesses. I’m fuckin sick and tired of white people taking our shit and not acknowledging the shit that they’ve done to us.
and i will let it be known now: if i fucking see anyone cosplaying as Tui and they attempt to draw the pe’a on their body - i will fucking square up and beat the shit out of you. my culture is not a fucking costume, and especially when it comes to the samoan tatau.
jbbartram-illu
gummygunk
baratheonpilled
kianamaiart
origamiaround
ellievsbear
