Description

Book Synopsis

The double canoe constituted the backbone of Polynesian culture, since it enabled the Polynesians to enter and conquer the Pacific. In Tonga, a center of Polynesian navigation, two types were known: the tongiaki and the kalia. Contrary to most contributions, the author argues that the Tongans were not only the Western Pacific masters of navigation, but also of canoe designing. Typical of Polynesian canoes was the sewing technique which can be traced back to ancient India but was also practiced in Pharanoic Egypt and southern Europe. The legend of the magnetic mountain is to be viewed in this context. Oceanic navigation, which declined during the 19th century, had developed its own means of orientation at sea, including astronomy and meteorology.



Table of Contents

Polynesia – History – Tonga – Fiji – Samoa – Navigation – Double canoes – Tongiaki – Kalia – Boat building – Boat houses – Sewing technique – Indian origins – Oceanic orientation at sea – Astronomy – Meteorology – James Cook – François Pâris – James Hornell – Catamaran

The Tongan Double Canoes

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    A Paperback / softback by Peter Suren

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      Book details

      Publisher Peter Lang AG
      Published 20 November 2018
      ISBN-13 9783631745526
      978-3631745526
      ISBN-10 3631745524

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      The double canoe constituted the backbone of Polynesian culture, since it enabled the Polynesians to enter and conquer the Pacific. In Tonga, a center of Polynesian navigation, two types were known: the tongiaki and the kalia. Contrary to most contributions, the author argues that the Tongans were not only the Western Pacific masters of navigation, but also of canoe designing. Typical of Polynesian canoes was the sewing technique which can be traced back to ancient India but was also practiced in Pharanoic Egypt and southern Europe. The legend of the magnetic mountain is to be viewed in this context. Oceanic navigation, which declined during the 19th century, had developed its own means of orientation at sea, including astronomy and meteorology.



      Table of Contents

      Polynesia – History – Tonga – Fiji – Samoa – Navigation – Double canoes – Tongiaki – Kalia – Boat building – Boat houses – Sewing technique – Indian origins – Oceanic orientation at sea – Astronomy – Meteorology – James Cook – François Pâris – James Hornell – Catamaran

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