Hawaiian maiden gelatin silver print, Honolulu

Hawaiian maiden gelatin silver print, Honolulu

Hawaii
women
native clothing

The source at hand shows a young Hawaiian woman, with her breasts exposed in native Hawaiian Hula attire. The lack of westernisation in the late 19th century implies she is from a poorer class and could not afford to wear westernised clothing. This implies that the long term effects of westernisation were either slower than perceived or less successful. Moreover, this could have also meant that this maiden did not go to a westernised school or was even educated at all.
This maiden is wearing traditional Hula dancer attire. The Hula dance is still a native Hawaiian art dating from before Cooke’s exploration.

Unknown, Honolulu

Davey Photo Co, Honolulu

Late 19th century

Anonymous

British Museum
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=3063223&partId=1&searchText=gelatin&place=20422&page=1

N/A

Visual - photograph

19th century Hawai'i