Strictly speaking, the ancient tabu, or kapu, was a prerogative
adhering exclusively to political and ecclesiastical rank. It was a
command either to do or not to do, and the meaning of it was, "Obey
or die." It was common to the Polynesian tribes, and was a protection
to the lives, property and dignity of the priesthood and nobility.
The religious tabus were well understood by the people, as were
also the personal or perpetual tabus of the ruling families; but the
incidental tabus were oppressive, irksome and dangerous to the masses,
as they were liable to be thoughtlessly violated, and death was the
usual penalty.
Everything pertaining to the priesthood and temples was sacred,
or tabu, and pigs designed for sacrifice, and running at large
with the temple mark upon them, could not be molested. It was a
violation of perpetual tabu to cross the shadow of the king, to
stand in his presence without permission, or to approach him except
upon the knees. This did not apply to the higher grades of chiefs,
who themselves possessed tabu rights.
Favorite paths, springs, streams and bathing-places were at intervals
tabued to the exclusive use of the kings and temples, and squid,
turtle, and two or three species of birds could be eaten only by the
priests and tabu nobility.
Yellow was the tabu color of royalty, and red of the priesthood, and
mantles of the feathers of the oo and mamo could be worn only by kings
and princes. Feather capes of mingled red and yellow distinguished
the lesser nobility.
Women were tabued from eating plantains, bananas, and cocoanuts; also
the flesh of swine and certain fish, among them the kumu, moano, ulua,
honu, ea, hahalua and naia; and men and women were allowed under no
circumstances to partake of food together. Hence, when Liholiho, in
1819, openly violated this fundamental tabu by eating with his queen,
he defied the gods of his fathers and struck at the very foundation
of the religious faith of his people.
The general tabus declared by the supreme chief or king were proclaimed
by heralds, while the puloulou--a staff surmounted by a crown of white
or black kapa--placed at the entrance of temples, royal residences
and the mansions of tabu chiefs, or beside springs, groves, paths, or
bathing-places, was a standing notification against trespass. General
tabus were declared either to propitiate the gods or in celebration
of important events. They were either common or strict, and frequently
embraced an entire district and continued from one to ten days.
During the continuance of a common tabu the masses were merely required
to abstain from their usual occupations and attend the services at the
heiaus, or temples; but during a strict tabu every fire and every light
was extinguished, no canoe was shoved from the shore, no bathing was
permitted, the pigs and fowls were muzzled or placed under calabashes
that they might utter no noise, the people conversed in whispers,
and the priests and their assistants were alone allowed to be seen
without their places of abode. It was a season of deathly silence,
and was thought to be especially grateful to the gods.
Some of the royal tabus, centuries back in the past, were frivolous
and despotic, such as regulating the wearing of beards and compelling
all sails to be lowered on passing certain coast points; but, however
capricious or oppressive, the tabu was seldom violated, and its
maintenance was deemed a necessary protection to the governing classes.