Central Washington University ScholarWorks@CWU All Master's Theses Master's Theses Summer 2015 Small Islands, Big Heart: Reproducing the Marquesas Islands Through The Body Patrick E. Molohon Central Washington University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd Part of the Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Other Anthropology Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Molohon, Patrick E., "Small Islands, Big Heart: Reproducing the Marquesas Islands Through The Body" (2015). All Master's Theses. 278. https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd/278 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Master's Theses at ScholarWorks@CWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@CWU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SMALL ISLANDS, BIG HEART: REPRODUCING THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS THROUGH THE BODY __________________________________ A Thesis Presented to The Graduate Faculty Central Washington University ___________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science Resource Management ___________________________________ by Patrick Evan Molohon July 2015 CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Graduate Studies We hereby approve the thesis of Patrick Evan Molohon Candidate for the degree of Master of Science APPROVED FOR THE GRADUATE FACULTY ______________ _________________________________________ Dr. Lene Pedersen, Committee Chair ______________ _________________________________________ Dr. Kathleen Barlow ______________ _________________________________________ Dr. Mark Auslander ______________ _________________________________________ Dean of Graduate Studies ii ABSTRACT SMALL ISLANDS, BIG HEART: REPRODUCING THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS THROUGH THE BODY by Patrick Evan Molohon July 2015 Through the analysis of a Marquesan family in a touristic setting in Tahiti, this thesis explores the notion of the Polynesian body as a site of struggle between the gaze of cosmopolitan French tourists on the exotic other, and the resistance and self-interiorizing of the body by Marquesans. Many contemporary Marquesans choose to migrate to the more urbanized, popular tourist destination of Tahiti, for work, schooling, and medical procedures. Removed from their native land, Marquesans build upon traditional cultural practices and worldviews, while simultaneously actively creating innovative aspects of their experience in the new setting, on and within the body. Based on data gathered through ethnographic research, participant observation and interviews in August, 2014, Pape’ete, Tahiti, I analyze how tourist performances, food preparation, consumption and distribution, as well as tattooing create and affirm Marquesan culture in the diaspora. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Believe it or not, this might be the hardest page to write in my entire thesis. The good news is, that there are not any specific requirements for how to write it (which means less editing for my thesis committee). Speaking of my committee, they mean the world to me. I have been so very blessed to have people who could mentor me in so many ways. Of course, Dr. Lene Pedersen has been my thesis chair, and for this I am so grateful. Dr. Pedersen was a favorite instructor of mine, going back to my first college years. She sparked my interest in anthropology, and became a role model for what I wanted to do with my career. Perhaps most important to my confidence, she always laughed at my bad jokes. I have always tried quite hard to make her proud, and I certainly would not be in the position I am without her help. She always stuck by my side during my academic career at Central Washington University, and was patient with all of my mistakes. There was a time during which I struggled developing this thesis topic, and she was very supportive and involved in helping me put this together. I could not have asked for a better thesis chair. I very much mean it when I say, she picked the right profession. Not only is she an extremely intelligent individual, but she motivates and inspires. When I graduated and walked across the stage this past June, it was very moving to have Dr. Pedersen give me the master’s hood. I can only hope that one day, I can be half the anthropologist she is. Dr. Mark Auslander has also been such a positive influence on this thesis, and my growth as a scholar. He has shown me through great example just what it takes to be great in academia. His knowledge is quite vast, and he always has been eager to discuss theory, and push me further iv when I thought I had given all that I had. He has this presence that makes you want to do better, to work harder, for the spirit of learning itself. Dr. Kathleen Barlow is a kind spirit, and so very wise and supportive. Going back to my undergraduate degree at CWU, she was always an excellent instructor who encouraged me to do the best I could. As a thesis advisor, she always took great time and energy to look over my documents, and send me relevant material. While she was not officially on my committee, Dr. Hope Amason was a great help to me. She read countless drafts of my writings, and helped prepare me for speaking at two different conferences. She exemplifies someone who is passionate, and cares for their informants, and their students. I was her TA this past year and it was a great blessing to learn from her how to engage and motivate students. I am very appreciative of all her help in preparing this thesis, and nurturing my growth as a human being. My family has helped me in so many ways. Being adopted, I cannot begin to express thanks for the chance they took on me. They have poured time, resources, and love into helping me get through high school, and through these two degrees. I hope to make you proud, mom, dad, Linda, Lisa, Paul (both), Jennifer, Jim, grandpa, Aubrey, Joe, and everyone. Especially to my family members who have passed on, I hope to continue your spirit. To make you proud as you watch over me. For my birth mother, I am so sorry I could never meet you. But I am thankful for you. I do not have all the words, and perhaps you did not either. But I feel that is ok. I appreciate you for giving birth to me, for loving me enough to give me up to a safe family. You gave me my v life, my heritage, my strengths, and my flaws. Thank you. As you will see, you gave me this opportunity. My greatest thanks go to the Hakatoa family in the Marquesas. You put up with me. You blessed me. You taught me. You cared for me while I was sick. You fed me. You remade me into who I was born to be. To all of you: thank you. Especially to Vari’i, to Tekiva, and to Kahu. I cannot thank everyone who has helped me; this is because I believe that I am a product of everything that everyone has ever put into me. But I can list the following people whom have inspired me. I do apologize for anyone that has been left out. Pete and Sandra Barlow Vivianne Berchel Helen Johnston, Carol Nolph Jim Anderson, Robert Sparks, Shawn Riley at Capital High School Shervin Ressideh, Matthew Thompson, Justin Snider, Steve Wilson, Josh Hudson, Daniel Neale, Kevin Fuentes Joakim Noah, Jonas Valanciunas, Colin Kaepernick, Klay Thompson Dr. Patrick Chapman at SPSCC Anna Yost Ardie Fesuluai, Richie Fesuluai, Pasi Taumoepeau, Glendal Tautua, Manu Tuito’elau Saeed Mohamed, Hillary Matson, Chelsea Roberts, Bello Djoulde Dr. Jay Ball, Dr. Toni Sipic, Dr. Michael Johnson, Dr. Nelson Pichardo, Dr. Jason Knirck, Dr. Patrick McCutcheon, Dr. John A-P. Julieta Barboza vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 Research Purpose .................................................................................... 2 Research Significance ............................................................................. 4 Methodology ........................................................................................... 5 Study Area ............................................................................................... 9 Negotiating Tahiti-The Marquesas ....................................................... 10 My Arrival In Tahiti .............................................................................. 12 The Hakatoa Household ........................................................................ 15 Outline ................................................................................................... 17 II CRACKING THE SKULLS OF THE “SYSTEM” IN A POLYNESIAN PERFORMANCE ............................................................ 20 III FATTENING YOU UP: FOOD TRANSACTIONS AND MORAL TRANSFORMATION ............................................................................... 39 IV THE WHO OF THE GIFT: RECIPROCITY AS A DIMENSION OF SOCIAL POSITIONING ........................................................................... 47 V MY SKIN IS OUR SKIN: SEALING RELATIONSHIPS AND PROTECTING IDENTITY ........................................................................ 55 VI “DO NOT FORGET YOUR PEOPLE.” A CONCLUSION AND A BEGINNING .......................................................................................... 72 REFERENCES ............................................................................................ 81 APPENDIXES ............................................................................................ 86 Appendix