REVITALIZATION MOVEMENTS

Background of Revitalization Movements A culture has been severely disrupted

and decimated, often as a result of an invasion so that the people find themselves in a state of near powerlessness.

The population has declined radically, and the traditional economy is no longer viable.

Classic Study

1969 The Death and Rebirth of the Seneca by Anthony F.C. Wallace.

Details the resurgence of the Seneca, inspired by the prophet Handsome Lake (1735-1815).

The catalyst for a revitalization movement is usually a prophet who communicates a vision received after falling into a trance.

The Message of the Prophet The prophet’s message usually runs

along the lines that the people’s current suffering is the result of supernatural punishment for their neglect of their traditional beliefs.

They are told that if they return to their traditional rituals (usually with a new element), then they will be rewarded by the elimination of their oppressors and a restoration of their fortunes.

In the case of Handsome Lake, he promulgated the Code of Handsome Lake.

Outcomes of Revitalization Movements Sometimes revitalization movements are

predestined to collapse due to unfulfilled expectations.

Sometimes they are accompanied by violent insurrection, such as the caste war between the Maya and the Mexicans in the 19th century and the conflicts inspired by the Ghost Dance in the US in the 19th century.

The Hawaiian Renaissance

Most commoners lost their land in the 19th century.

Native Hawaiians today make up only 9% of the population.

Only .1% of the population speak Hawaiian, and is only the majority language on Ni’ihau island (pop. 130).

Only 55% of native Hawaiians finish high school. The have the lowest household income of all ethnic groups.

Efforts began in the 1970’s to revive Hawaiian culture.

This meant reviving traditional Hawaiian music, the hula, sports (surfing, canoeing, and seafaring), and crafts. Efforts were also made to revive the Hawaiian language.

Some aspects of traditional Hawaiian religion were revived, especially expressing reverence for sacred places.

Ka-ulu-a-Paoa Heiau – Kaua’i Dedicated to Laka

Ha’aklamanu Sulphur Banks, The Big Island

Worshippers on Mana Loa

Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination Another strain of the Hawaiian

renaissance is the sovereignty movement.

Groups like the Hawaiian Kingdom Government seek to restore Hawaiian independence, the monarchy, and return land ceded in the 19th century to Hawaiians.

Attitudes towards tourism and development

Despite the fact that tourism generates 40% of the state’s income, Hawaiians of the renaissance movements are generally hostile towards tourism and development.

They are especially active in protecting the environment as an outgrowth of their religious concepts about the land.

Demonstration on Molaka’i protests GMO: a’ole GMO!

The life of the land is perpetuated in rightousness!

Kamahameha III