Surfboard/ Papa Hee Nalu

Surfboard/ Papa Hee Nalu

Hawai’i
culture
surfboard
sport
religion

The object in question here is what people stereotypically associate Hawaiians with, the surfboard. The surfboard is a cultural and religious manifestation of indigenous Hawaiian people’s exceptional skills in water transport and leisure. However, surfing did die down for a short time when missionaries arrived in Hawai’i and spread the Christian philosophy that there is one God and that one should devote themselves to the study of religion. This conflicted with the initial practice of praying to the Gods for great waves and ease on water. Though shortly after, surfing became popular again. This particular surfboard is made out of wood and was bought by J. S. Emerson, a Caucasian artefacts collector who was supported by Hawaiian monarchs in a bid to preserve the Hawaiian culture for future generations. He sold many of these artefacts to the Bishop Museum and his collection is widely known by Hawaiian historians.

Unknown, bought from Piimauna in Kailua, Hawaii and sold by J. S. Emerson to the Bishop Museum.

Bishop Museum, Ethnology Database

http://data.bishopmuseum.org/ethnologydb/detailed.php?ARTNO=00294

(Bought by J. S. Emerson on) June 11th, 1885

Emma Azid

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, J.S. Emerson Collection.
https://www.bishopmuseum.org/

N/A

Material Object - wooden surf board

19th century Hawaii