Figure of Ku-ka’ili- moku

Figure of Ku-ka’ili- moku

Hawaii
19th Century
Sculpture
Ku-ka’ili- moku
Culture
Religion
Art
Figure

The image shows a wooden figure likely to represent Ku-ka’ili- moku, the God of war. Having such a variety of these figures and having such grand figures would show the significance behind this to the people of Hawaii. This is extremely significant as it shows the Hawaiian culture and traditions, rather than how Hawaiians had to adapt after missionaries occurred, it shows the truest form of the natives traditions. Furthermore, to have a figure of approximately 4’6” in height and to have such craftsmanship shows the skills of the Hawaiian people within this era, they utilised resources around them to create something for them to be proud of and to showcase their traditions, which appears to contradict the ideas of some missionaries in their beliefs that the natives are ungodly and uncivilised beings, making them therefore be incapable.

Unknown

The British Museum,
Online Collections

http://britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=513221&partId=1&searchText=hawaii&sortBy=fromDateDesc&page=5

1860-1869

Sotira Eren

The British Museum
Collection Online

N/A

Material Object - wooden sculpture

19th century Hawai'i