Social, economic and political
differences that exist among different people living in diverse parts of the
world are closely connected to the environments that the populations have
occupied. Societies living on Polynesian island exhibited different political
and socioeconomic characteristics during the pre-colonization period. The differences
highlighted are closely related to the terrain and climate that characterized
areas covered by different Polynesian islanders. While people living in drier,
unproductive lands had poorly developed societies, the wetter and more
productive regions had high populations that in turn resulted in well developed
political and economic stratus.
Maoris’ aggression on Morioris’
was motivated by the news of a modest and peaceful community that was occupying
a land they could utilize. Although Chathams was not as productive as other
regions, population density of the Maoris forced them to search for land to
ease their population density. This illustration best underlines superiority
that emanates from environmental diversity. While Morioris were a peaceful
people willing compromise their values and accommodate violent foreign
aggressors, Maoris had been shaped by nature to fight against their challenges
and as a result they killed many original inhabitants of Chathams.
Generally, Polynesian societies
varied widely depending on; geographical isolation, terrain occupied,
fragmentation of the regions, marine and marine resources and the general
climate of the areas. While some region experience tropical climates because
they lie close to the equator, others experience cold subarctic climates. The
productivity of the diverse areas differs widely and so does the population. Geographical
formation of the Polynesian region awarded some regions with shallow soils that
can hardly be used for agriculture while other regions due to volcanic ashes or
sedimentation have deep soils that can be used for farming.
Although steel and iron tools
were not popular amongst the Polynesian societies, some communities developed
more elaborate wood and stone tools either for hunting, fishing, fighting or
farming. Simple communities did not need to advance their production techniques
because their demands were low while more complex communities needed more equipment
to improve on their production. Artifacts developments were also more
pronounced in the complex societies that they were among the simple Polynesian
societies.
Geographical formations provide
some communities with building and construction raw materials while it denied
others. Regions with limestone as the main surface foundation did not witness
development of large monuments and statues while regions with granites and
other rocks presented the people with materials building statues, tombs and
monuments. Geographical formation of the areas also gifted the people thereof
with other farming, fishing and hunting tools.
As asserted by Diamond1
Political development of the Polynesia societies differed greatly based on the
populations. High population regions had stratified societies where
specialization amongst the people was also encouraged. Powerful chiefs ruled
such regions. The chief were hardly involved in any production activities and
they were charged with the responsibilities of leading their people.
Hierarchical arrangements also existed amongst these communities and people
within hereditary families were treated specially by the people.
According to Pulitzer2,
in the poorly developed societies, specialization amongst the people was low or
did not exist in some societies. Everyone produced what they needed. Families
were sparsely dispersed and leadership amongst the people was of little
influence. Chiefs lived like the other members of the society and they were
engaged in production like everyone else. There existed little or no difference
in lifestyles led by chiefs and the people they represented. Although the
environment presented a lot of challenges to the people, unique problems that
would result in advancement of production techniques were fewer.
Every society is founded on many
factors which makes it different from others. Polynesia Island societies represent
an ideal example of how different geographical and environmental factors can
influence the society formation and development. Different examples can be
drawn from different parts of the world.
References
1Diamond, J. steel guns and germs.
New York: Harper; 2005.
2Pulitzer,
P. steel guns and
germs: The Fate of Human Societies: Palo Alto, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company; 2002
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