Ancestry Tale Retold by DNA

Thanks for this post! It is good to know that geneticists and cultural anthropologists are working to discover more about the cultures of Oceania! I am of both ethnic Polynesian and Micronesian descent and lived on various islands across the Pacific most of my life. From my upbringing, education, research and stories passed down to me from the elderly, I believe that while people from certain islands can be traced to a common ancestral origin through DNA, we must also be aware that there were many smaller migrations throughout the Pacific and this contributes to the heritage of most islanders of Oceania. This is due to the Oceanic tradition of expert navigation without modern equipment and interaction with other cultures throughout the course of unwritten history.

Yes, the Polynesians are for the most part proven descendents of the Lapita people who first originated around PNG through DNA and cultural evidence. Since ancient times, the Maori have traced their heritage to the mythical land called "Hawaiki". To further connect the cultural link, early Polynesian settlers named their new home after their old home. This is exemplified in the old names for Samoan islands - Upolu & Savaii (2000-500 BC), Uporu & Havaii on Tahiti (300 AD) and Upolu on Hawai'i (500 AD). These names were changed after European settlement. There is also the theory (no solid DNA evidence) proposed by Norwegian adventurer and ethnographer, Thor Heyerdahl, that the natives of South American civilization did trek to the Pacific, whether for exploration, trade or by accident. He proved his point during his famous Kon Tiki expedition in 1947. A few years ago, scientists found DNA evidence that linked chicken bones in Peru to those from Polynesia. This is just another small clue to ancient travel between Polynesia and the Americas.

Linguistically speaking, Polynesian language is slightly different from select ones in Micronesia although there is a link to indigenous Taiwanese (fyi, the Chamorro language is more related to Taiwanese as it is non-Oceanic Austronesian like Palauan, Carolinian, Yapese, whereas Polynesian and some Micronesian languages such as Marshallese are classified as Oceanic Austronesian). Today, there are some Chamorro words that are very similar and almost the same to those in Taiwanese. For example, the Taiwanese word for eyes is "mata", which is the name of the part of the ancient Chamorro canoe called the outrigger (of the smaller vessel called the "galaide" or the swiftest voyaging vessel known as the "sakman" that should be perpendicular to the direction of the current in some cases. This is one of many linguistic ties.

Heritage is a different case for some Micronesian islands, which archaeologists agree were inhabited earlier than Polynesian islands. For example, earliest settlement of Guahan (indigenous name for "Guam) was estimated around 2500 BC but around 1750 BC (earliest carbon dating of artifacts). On Guahan, there are said to be a few pre-contact migrations to the island. They have excavated remains of the earliest inhabitants and their DNA is closely related to peoples from certain parts of Indonesia and the northern Philippines. Their bone structure is noticeably different from the later inhabitants of the Marianas, who had cranial outgrowths on the backs of their skulls where the trapezius muscles attach (indicating greater muscle mass). This has not been found anywhere else in the world, except for later remains on the island of Tonga in the South Pacific. You can also see the diverse and unique heritage of Pacific Islanders just by traveling to each island group and seeing the amazing features of the people! Oceania is truly a melting pot!

To further the link, modern Micronesian master navigators, such as the late Mau Piailug and Manny Sikau (as well as less than 2-3 dozen navigators on the Caroline islands) show that some communities still navigate the Pacific Ocean without the use of modern equipment developed by the West. The ancestors of Oceanic civilizations were expert navigators and could travel hundreds to thousands of miles without the use of modern equipment - using only the sun, moon, stars, direction of the currents, surrounding wildlife and myths to keep them on track in the ocean! Isn't this amazing? Their closeness to Nature and the Spiritual Realm allowed them accomplish what would be considered difficult today without modern tools and technology. They could see beyond what was right in front of their eyes, they could pierce the darkness with their vision.

There are many stories across the Pacific of ancient people interacting with one another as well as several migrations patterns on different islands. For example, the Carolinian islanders settled the northern Marianas and cohabited with the ancient Chamorro people. Nowadays, you can only own land in the CNMI if you are of Chamorro or Carolinian descent. Contrary to Western belief, the Pacific Islanders have been traveling across the Ocean and interacting with other islanders for hundreds of years, whether it be for resources, exploration, or other reasons. They lived harmoniously with the environment, used and respected the power of Nature as many ancient societies have done. There are many stories of interaction and starting anew on other islands, even intermarrying and assimilation between people from different islands. And for most islanders, the culture was largely matriarchal with the culture and language being passed down by the mother. This is why, on Guahan for example, we still retain the ancient language and traditions carried on despite the brutal colonial warfare and oppression, forced intermarriage with the native women and colonization the people were subject to. It is today that we are at risk of losing the language.

In fact, most if not all indigenous groups of the world are at risk of losing their language and cultural heritage. I, along with others, hope to raise awareness of issues occuring in the Pacific today, such as the military buildup of Guahan, Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination as well as protecting indigenous tribes and people across the globe. What we can learn from all indigenous people is that we MUST respect and honor the land. This is the key to survival of all humanity. What we give to the Earth is what we reap. Liberty is our Divine gift. We, the People of the World, the Creatures of the Land, Sea, Sky; the Land itself, are meant to be Free, live harmoniously and prosper!

Thanks for reading! Please support global cultural preservation and environmental causes! These issues not only affect one tribe or culture, it ultimately affects us as One Humanity.

 - Primitiva

"We the warriors born to live on what the land and sea can give, defend our birthright to be free, give our children liberty." Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, "E Ala E"

"Ua mau ke ea o ka'aina oi ka pono." Translation - "The life of the land is perpetuated in Righteousness." State Motto of Hawaii

"Guahu i Taotao'tano" meaning "We are the People of the Land" (Taotao'tano is the word for "human" in Chamorro which literally translates to "people of the land")

http://weareguahan.com/ - The US Military is requesting the Guam government to sign over land that was once an ancient Chamorro village and is sacred to the Chamorro people (this land includes an ancient Chamorro village with artifacts scattered throughout including an ancient burial site). The military wants to convert the land known as "Pagat" into a live fire range. This is one of the issues we are faced with on Guahan. Please support this cause and protect our land and heritage!

http://www.uncontactedtribes.org/ - Protect uncontacted tribes around the world