How did Polynesian wayfinders navigate the Pacific Ocean? - Alan Tamayose and Shantell De Silva

[@nalulumbay]

Always amaze how ancient people unfold things like finding direction, star mapping, calculating days in a year, building pyramids and the likes without technology. Genius.

[@nalulumbay]

Carlos MMV without our modern day technology then.

[@obrkenobi1170]

Aliens.

[@jimothyhasleftthechat2667]

And then there's modern people... wasting time doing the same things over and over again and complaining about problems that we don't try to help solve...

[@vivaene]

Mooleficent the problem with you is that you think these people discovered these techniques in a day. this happened over the course of a hundred years, and if anything were increasing at a much faster rate in the modern day technology.

[@quin2910]

Mooleficent You think every single one of them was working on these techniques. Also above comment

[@1503nemanja]

How the ancient Polynesians reached all those remote islands with essentially stone age technology is one of the greatest feats of human ingenuity in history. The wit and daring required to succeed at this perfectly encompasses everything that makes us human and sets us apart from simple animals.

[@dizzywilliams3557]

their boats are wonderful and not so primitive,,instead of tacking like modern sailors,their boats were often double ended,so just reverse the sail and start the nxt tack this resulted in a see-saw action to windward,which if plotted ,,is the best way NOT to miss an island.

[@treehugger3971]

Not to minimize the incredible skill these people exhibited but ever heard of salmon returning to their spawning grounds? Monarch butterflies and birds flying thousands of miles to their destination? The more we learn about animals the more intelligent we find them to be. Have you seen the Netflix show "My Octopus Teacher"?

[@africanhistory]

@@treehugger3971 but that is instinct, hardwired behavior not ingeniuity.

[@mariachi3217]

@@africanhistory and plus by generations it’s been in them, like Polynesians but they require more skill to do so.

[@tristanband4003]

They were a people of daring explorers and travellers.

[@jimpaea5473]

As a Tongan this was how my grandfather used to navigate his trip on the water and on land. The southern cross constellation was his key thing and remembered where they stood even if it was day and would name the Northern star - Tokelau , the south most star- Tonga, the Western most star- Hihifo and the Eastern most star - Hahake as these were the ancient names out ancestors used for these four main stars

[@therankingworld7627]

Your grandpa is cool

[@fedor4655]

I don't get how stars can be "the eastern most" or "the western most". Like, that depends on the rotation of the earth, right?

[@tristanband4003]

You have an awesome grandfather. Did you ever go sailing with him?

[@jimpaea5473]

@@tristanband4003 long long ago. He passed away when I was quite young though

[@illoc]

Your grandpa is definitely a master of the sea. Other Austronesian language "Tonga" means in the middle.

[@michaelney2732]

In Indonesia we have the song "nenek moyangku seorang pelaut" or "my ancestors were seafarer". I'm still amazed on the polynesian ways to see Ocean as a conector instead of barrier

[@DaniSC_l1]

lupa lagunya. dah lama ga nyanyiin

[@lenoafijian6194]

Excuse me? The heart of Polynesian people they came from Melanesia. That is where everything started.

[@jeffnaslund]

When you see it as a pathway instead of a barrier, your understanding of it changes. Then it becomes more of a ‘challenge accepted’

[@bisvizstudio1242]

@@lenoafijian6194 bruh the Austronesians started to sail from Taiwan through Southeast Asia. I mean the word "nesia" doesn't put in there without a reason. Because Indonesia is an ARCHIPELAGO. Of course they're sailors/seafarers.

[@Shel230]

@@bisvizstudio1242 brooo the frist people of Indonesia are melenisan people lol they were there 50 to 60 thousand years before Asian people came and no they didn't sail intill they got away from mainland south east Asia who you think who taught them to sail when they frist got to the pacific. melenisan people people

[@DavidMaurand]

what we will never know is how many might have perished in that vastness. such incredible risk in these undertakings, their bravery should not be discounted.

[@mrconfusion87]

Yup! Human civilization wouldn't be where it is now without all that trial-and-error (and the casualties, and learning that stem from that)!

[@melanesianwarriorofthepaci6775]

Micronesia,Polynesia they all came from Melanesia, that is the motherland and birth place where it all began.

[@sillau9]

@@melanesianwarriorofthepaci6775 nope

[@gpl992]

@@sillau9 Yeah and I dont even think that guy is actually Melanesian either.

[@gpl992]

@@melanesianwarriorofthepaci6775 what island are you from?

[@roodycrles3465]

If only Odysseus had such skills

[@kayo5011]

roody crles hahha

[@felixbabuf5726]

roody crles Tfw it takes 11 years to make a voyage that should have taken 2 weeks

[@ayeshakhanum4654]

This comment was absolute perfection

[@abheekpandya8717]

You win the internet for today, sir.

[@alexanderg1935]

roody crles Yeah, he was too busy banging everything that moved and complaining how hungry he was.

[@supercanadian0640]

Meanwhile I have trouble telling left from right...

[@cup_check_official]

I'm not shore what you mean...

[@ShauryamAkhoury]

+Tell Me This I SEA what you did there

[@JustNatax3]

The Ace Of Spades Well does your everyday survival depend on left an right?

[@utkarshgupta2943]

The Ace Of Spades that's an Ace comment😃

[@fluffy-hellhound]

- Look at the back of one of your hands. - Extend your thumb as far out as you can If your index finger and thumb form an "L," that is your left hand. If it does not, that is your right hand.

[@TheDoodLbot]

TBH a lot of us were probably introduced to the concept of wayfinders from 'Moana'. This video is obviously a more historical approach. Great video 👍

[@genghiskhan6809]

TRUE

[@benjamin3813]

Future glory of Zion nice 1 brah...U Hawaiian or Poly?

[@Banzybanz]

We had a chapter from the Kon Tiki expedition in 8th (or 7th?) std English. Makes me quite nostalgic.

[@fulahno]

Civilization V for me

[@jcsoto6481]

I raccomend the film KONTIKI ;-)

[@devisankhla4788]

*meanwhile Columbus lands at america.."india!!!"*

[@kira2hot4you37]

When Pacific islanders were already venturing & inhabiting Pacific islands Europeans were still afraid to venture far out at sea in fear of "falling of the edge". They thought the world was flat when Pacific islanders already knew it was round.

[@bea3guima]

And probably felt superior to any native people. Classic colonizer hahaha

[@hadhamalnam]

@@kira2hot4you37 bruh Europe knew the Earth was a sphere from the time of the Ancient Greeks, they even had decent estimates for its size despite never having circumnavigated

[@HudaefCares]

@@hadhamalnam Doesn't change the fact that they were afraid of "falling off the edge".

[@andrewhall7930]

You are misinformed and regurgitating spurious facts. Please Watch: Knowing Better In Defense of Columbus. He knew the islands in the Carribbean weren't India.

[@MetaDecker]

I'm always amazed at how different people from different continents in ancient times without having had any contact to each other figured out all the same technologies and used similar methods of navigation and mathematics.

[@frankmartin8471]

The North Star is quite obvious if you pay attention to it. The Polynesians had no writing. They had the technologies they needed, and the navigators had a mental construct of the locations of dozens of islands. They didn't use a Western style coordinate system. They used relational locating. They also used their astounding memories. Today, we can't even do our grocery shopping without the aid of shopping lists.

[@biscaynesupercars]

The human mind and ingenuity is amazing when its forced to be and allowed to create with no distractions

[@leisafaimalie8746]

When your ancestors were rocking the game thousands of years ago and you're a Samoan who can't swim well😂😭

[@tkl0773]

Leisa Faimalie Kalofae ia oe😂😂 Alofa atu

[@genunsaved5441]

Leisa Faimalie sad

[@genunsaved5441]

Angelle Nanai why did you repeat the same thing...

[@friendsdontlie8291]

I learned to swim at 3. Why didn’t you just go to da beach 🏖 lol

[@batanghenyoreviews8406]

Im a pure filipino and i got a thalassophobia.

[@imafucknrockstarr]

There are still Polynesian's practicing these techniques today. If you want to really know what it is like to be a Polynesian navigator, research Nainoa Thompson and the Hōkūleʻa. I wish this video incorporated more about the other people of Polynesia - Samoans, Tahitians, Fijians, Tongans, etc. It would have been nice to hear the different languages as well, not only ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

[@aidiero]

As a Malay from south east asia working at the sea,i notice all this without learning from anyone...just need to be aware of the surrounding

[@kira2hot4you37]

The navigational knowledge Nainoa Thompson used & passed on to his apprentice is a Micronesian navigational knowledge he learned frm a Micronesian master Navigator named Mau Piailug who taught Hawaiians back in the 70s & 80s.

[@fatutoa2823]

@Ezkill2324 Six9oneaeracode we already knew how to navigate. Theres still polynesian outliers like taumoko who still knew the ancient art of polynesian navigation.

[@islandguy6928]

Fatu Toa Papa Mau Taught the Taumokos homie what are you talking about.There are no authentic sea masters left in Polynesia.

[@fatutoa2823]

@@islandguy6928 no he didn't. That's a nice lie there. Anyways next! Lol

[@yantiherni7426]

European explorer: we are the best sailor Polynesians: Hold my canoe

[@Strawberry-12.]

yanti herni there is a different between sailing and navigating and Polynesians where deffently the best navigators (which is more impressive). Europe meanwhile were probably the best ship builders.

[@subnormalbark2683]

Vikings: Hold my axe

[@Strawberry-12.]

Subnormalbark no Polynesians where better

[@theonetheone6495]

The Vikings had the greatest ships got a time, Polynesians traveled before the Vikings.

[@Unborn-Stillborn]

European people ... we created the modern world with all its luxuries of modern science that the rest of the world benefits from. Polynesian : hold my canoe ...

[@MFBOOM888]

As a Samoan I am proud of what my ancestors achieved. They were nicknamed "the Island of the Navigators" by early French Explorer Louis-Antoine Bougainville for their advanced knowledge in star mapping, using wind patterns, using the sun rise and set points, wave currents etc to navigate the seas.

[@jellydia4382]

~w~ as a Tahitian I am proud someone talks about Polynesia ❤

[@OmnipotentO]

Those guys were ridiculous 3500 years ago. Incredibly smart and crafty people 🤯

[@loyalloyal6840]

They were all built like monster trucks too. King Kamehameha of Hawaii was 7ft and the Late Queen of Tonga (Tallest Queen Ever) was 6'3.

[@spaceapes6978]

When I was at the Polynesian Center in Hawaii they also told us that the navigators would use the temperature of the water as a guide. Based on how warm or cold it was they knew if they could estimate how much closer they were to their destination. Truly remarkable how in tune they were with their surroundings

[@DAI.seeeee]

Great thing about water temp we followed the el-nino and la-nina climate temp that travels through the pacific back and forth north to south the same voyage that whales dolphins and sharks follow

[@KickonsHub]

Some would even use their testicles. It is the most sensitive instrument on the body, and could be used to gauge far away swells and potential storms

[@Leo-zk9rd]

In AP art history, I learned about these objects called mattangs and rebbelibs which were made of sticks and shells and they were navigational tools which showed the ocean swells and the positions of islands. The amazing thing is that they weren't taken on journeys, but memorized by the navigator. It's crazy to me that they could remember and navigate the ocean currents.

[@latenightthinker4737]

they had to, their lives depended on it

[@roquinsiongco9948]

This video neglects to acknowledge Micronesia and Melanesia- other regions in the Pacific. This is especially important to know because Hawai'i actually lost the tradition of navigation (through colonization) and had a Micronesian navigator bring it back. This video can easily be more accurate and more encompassing of others in the Pacific.

[@navimana]

It also uses Hawai'ian terminology to describe things as opposed to the more ancient and older Polynesian languages like Samoan, Tongan or Fijian (granted it's possible that's because a lot of knowledge in those languages are gone but still) it's descriptive yet missed so much.

[@endlesstate9774]

itsyaboi pretty sure they got their info from Hawaii. Which is why hawaii has a lot of influence in it.

[@xxfreshpineapplesxx]

As a Micronesian from the tiny island of Saipan, way finding was a tradition passed down by our elders!!! Papa Mau, the father of all wayfinders taught the Hawaiian people how to find their way through the Ocean. He was from the Caroline Islands in Micronesia. Papa Mau’s influence is still great till this day amount our people but is constantly overshadowed by his predecessors in Hawaii. I hope they give credit where credit is due and start acknowledging that Hawaii isn’t the only island in the pacific. More importantly, the pacific is made up of 3 regions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. We were all great wayfinders because our ancestors were well traveled throughout the pacific and Asia. Papa Mau showed they ways of our ancestors, let’s make sure we remember where we came from, the first rule in wayfinding!!!!

[@jedipug4809]

Jane Lee Vlogs 670 Represent!

[@juniyananajukyu]

Roquin Siongco totally agreed!

[@faanengaaw7357]

Proud to say im a descendant of these great seafaring people. ❤️ Pls pray for us for we are losing our ways to the western world🙏🏽

[@justanotherguy2824]

We all can learn from each other. Western civilisation achieved great advancements, but this does not make it better or superior. More and more people in the West understand this and appreciate other native cultures. Greetings from Europe!

[@samiral-hajeed917]

@@justanotherguy2824 the west is clearly superior

[@samiral-hajeed917]

Youre losing your ways because the west is better

[@grappling.enthusiast]

@@samiral-hajeed917 Shut up lmao

[@siddjoshi2053]

Good work, Alan, Shantel and Ted-ed team.

[@elocinaqui24]

this might be the coolest thing i’ve ever heard about humans doing. much respect.

[@TheScienceBiome]

“Born too late to explore the world, born too early to explore the universe...” *sigh* “born just in time to contemplate ones existence and be depressed about it”

[@crossthekira99]

The Science Biome We know less about our oceans than we do about space. A least 2 new species of animal are discovered every year. Most are found in jumgles and rainforests. Our planets cave systems are highly unexplored. We just discovered over 100 different waterfalls in yellowstone this year. Originally we thought there was only about 20-50. Antartica and the south pole are highly unexplored. We still discover stone age tribes in south america and islands in the pacific. It's never too late to explore here.

[@degiguess]

actually there's still plenty to discovery about our own world stop complaining and make something of yourself

[@steampunkastronaut7081]

You meant "Born just in time to learn the path of wiseness."

[@TheWizardYeof]

Ooh Kurzgesagt

[@jgill3881]

oof

[@vtutone3740]

Very amazing that my ancestors managed this. Whenever I think I am lost, I remember that I will find my way just as my people always have.

[@irreversiblyhuman]

Forever grateful to sea masters of the Pacific for enriching the human heritage. Polynesians will always have a soft place in my heart, as their ancestors courage and ingenuity are truly inspirational.

[@keendesiree18]

"Aue, aue! Te fenua, te mālie! nā heko hakilia, we know the way!"

[@friendsdontlie8291]

Keen Desiree Gabales howl! Earth, calm! Headaches that is what it translates

[@minatonamikaze4819]

TheDay Cometh o think either tongan or Tahitian

[@friendsdontlie8291]

Minato Namikaze or Samoan

[@metalnordeste8998]

@@friendsdontlie8291 Hawaiian or Maori

[@ajedwards3447]

TheDay Cometh it’s Tokelauan ... not Tongan, Tahitian, Samoan, Hawaiian or Maori as the others have mentioned.

[@jaypzl]

I see a lot of mentions about the movie Moana. I loved the movie myself and even advised on Moana materials for the Disney parks. From what I know before Moana, what I saw in the making of it and what I saw in the movie, Disney respectfully portrayed our seafaring culture - albeit thru their lens. It was beautifully done and visually I don't think anyone could have done it better and shared it with more people. Now, if you're truly interested in learning about wayfinding and Pacific Island cultures, I encourage you to do your own research. Moana is just a small sample of our rich history that is hardly well known until recently. There are still a lot of unknowns, which makes it even more fascinating! -jp

[@stubbsmusic543]

Wow! I really admire their ingenuity, observational skills and sheer courage. Truly impressive and admirable.

[@papashogun8794]

Thank you TedEd for shedding some wonderful light on the history of Polynesia in a beautiful and educated way. Mahalo

[@speedstriker]

This is absolutely badass. Science fiction based on this way of understanding the world would be very cool.

[@kuryamtl]

This is amazing. Some serious use of observation, scientific method, and complex mathematics (at least without the use of the computer) to navigate. Utter amazing.

[@tavioka6243]

Im Micronesian & we are still traveling by the winds & stars❤️

[@kamerad_marzuki3631]

Proud to be a Polynesian (Malayo Polynesian). greetings from Indonesia!

[@dalastkanakamaoli9058]

Um polynesian? You just said you were from Indonesia

[@Unknownuser1077-8oa]

Actually you are Austronesian not Polynesia, have you ever heard about your history of your ancestors came from taiwan

[@SopokistaJr]

@@Unknownuser1077-8oa Polynesians are from Austronesia

[@tsurugi5]

@@dalastkanakamaoli9058 polynesians are a subset of austronesians

[@moejohnson933]

Nianoa Thompson explained this whole thing to us. Such a cool experience. An amazing man and a huge inspiration to me.

[@taiyoctopus2958]

Living on the island of Hawai'i for almost half a decade one of the things I loved most was the clouds... every day they would form... as the air moved into the mountains and scrunched up... it's what creates the dubbed "coffee belt" on Kona with some great opportunities to growing coffee as rainfall is guaranteed almost every day. The cloud would bring shade from the tropical sun, rain and tropical showers to cool things down further, and were just awesome to look at everyday. Much different than the cloud formations I'm used to from where I grow up. I love the clouds there.

[@cup_check_official]

Not to be pacific but not all seas are oceans you sea btw, I always wave but ted-ed never notice

[@AtomicDeath48]

I sea what you did there.

[@cup_check_official]

Wait, i am not fin-ished yet

[@dodom.8741]

Don’t make me become salty

[@noahsimon7658]

Don't be a beach

[@TheFoxiest77]

oh wow, so many ocean puns. you guys have got me hooked

[@darwinherrera5151]

It's remarkable to realize that this civilization had done incredible strategies to endure and survive ancient times.

[@syahrules]

As an austronesian, I would love to travel to the polynesian islands and the rest of the micronesia one day to learn more about the different cultures we have from one another. It's amazing how we look so similar to each other, yet share no similar values at all

[@skylinelover9276]

Austronesian+ Papuan= Polynesians Austronesian+ negritos= Micronesians

[@Illiterate.Irishman]

Polynesia and the Pacific islands always facinate me. I'd love to visit one day

[@garcalej]

I am in awe of this accomplishment.

[@MarDamas]

I feel like I’ve seen a musical number about this before.

[@kanakamaoli4108]

I want first state that as someone of Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) descent I want to apologize to my fellow Pacific Island brothers and sisters (specifically my brothers and sister from Micronesia) for the ignorance that this video expresses. As a Kanaka Maoli (who knows my people's history), I know that while we did sail across the Moananuiākea (the Pacific) and settled in Hawaiʻi our knowledge of wayfinding was lost to time and only reclaimed with the help of Master Navigator Papa Mau Piailug from Satawal, Yap (in Micronesia) who taught Kanaka Maoli like Nainoa Thompson, Bruce Blankenfeld, Chad Kalepa Baybayan, Milton "Shorty" Bertlemann, and Chad ʻOnohi Paishon. In the 1970s, when we were trying reclaim that lost knowledge, we here in Hawaiʻi sought out individuals that still retained their knowledge of wayfinding and Papa Mau was one of only 6 people alive in the world (at the time) who knew this ancient artform and it was unusual for Master Navigators to teach pupils outside of their own culture (Papa Mau being of Satawal). Wayfinding methods were used all across the Moananuiākea (all across the Pacific) as we island people didn't just originate on these islands (there were waves of migration into the Pacific most likely stemming from Southeast Asia that traversed the Pacific going to and settling in places like Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Palau, Guam, Yap, Chuuk, Tahiti, Samoa, Rapa Nui, Aotearoa, and Hawaiʻi. Unfortunately, the artform (as a whole) across the Pacific was nearly lost and only brought back because of Papa Mau Piailug, our brother from across the Moananuiākea in Satawal which makes it the Micronesian wayfinding navigation. TED-Ed, for a KZbin channel that claims to celebrate the ideas of teachers and student around the world, you folks clearly didn't do your due diligence on this topic. And lastly, I want to thank my Micronesian brothers and sisters for helping us reclaim wayfinding and say that I recognize you as it is was not Polynesian wayfinding that navigated the Pacific Ocean, it was Pacific Island wayfinding navigated the Pacific Ocean

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

Thank you for educating me about these important distinctions.

[@Tokito_Muichiro14.]

I've just been reading about our tupuna by an author Percy Smith (circ.late 1800s-1920s).New Zealand. I hope this helps you. Kia Ora.

[@moekontze116]

Well said. 🇼🇸

[@KenWallaceFilms]

Just finished reading "Sea People" which is a fascinating account of the west's attempts to understand how, when and why Polynesians populated the Pacific (including the erroneous theories and still unanswered questions). It's an in-depth look at the tools historians have used over the years, and how their conclusions are often based on faulty methodology, cultural prejudices and personal agendas. The final chapters talk about the modern Polynesian navigators and the reclaiming of that nearly lost ancient knowledge.

[@karlashdown5228]

As a Maori i would just like to share the fact there is more to Polynesian Culture & the Pacific than just the Hawaiian Island Chain. Interesting little piece even putting aside it's narrow focus on Polynesian Heritage & Custom's.

[@disneyprincessintraining2725]

My gosh, this makes me want to move to a Polynesian island and just be immersed in their culture and learn from them! I wish I could navigate and sail like that. Pretty sure they don’t do this kind of sailing too much (sorry if that’s wrong, I’m white) Seeing how intelligent and resourceful these people are and always have been is incredible!!!

[@Abelhawk]

I remember when I spent time in Brazil and saw the Southern Cross for the first time. It's like a glorious kite in the sky. I miss it now that I'm back in North America.

[@chiragjain2152]

Polynesians are the best sailors of world.

[@damianosoutskas6988]

No

[@damianosoutskas6988]

@wan marwan do you mean "NO"

[@LSPD1909]

Damianos Outskas haven’t produced even an argument to anyone better.

[@damianosoutskas6988]

@@LSPD1909 >:(

[@kbNanakuli]

Damianos Outskas what a compelling point

[@MelanieAnneAhern]

They learned from a demigod silly

[@gilangrr21]

That made me chuckle, have a like :D

[@grainfrizz]

Melanie Anne Ahern ikr

[@Ryan-iz5pq]

What can I say except

[@zaclegoattack]

Monsier your welcome...

[@mikaelabeatrizbalaga6824]

Yep, they learned from one of Poseidon's sons...

[@3689dyf]

Thank you for doing a video on my people 🇹🇴

[@majermike]

your people are gods

[@bonda_racing3579]

Sorry to ask but what nation is that flag from ? Micronesia? or the other Polynesian nations. I am from the Caribbean islands am very interested in how our pacific neighbors lived and thrived.

[@sumonty7451]

@@bonda_racing3579 Tonga :)

[@espncooper6868]

What an intriguing video. Thank you Alan Tamayose for sharing your knowledge

[@josealyneria2871]

The ancient people of Oceania: Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia.

[@giswabitaraearsyaskiya8213]

Austronesia too

[@DarkFlameMaster1000]

@@giswabitaraearsyaskiya8213 Austranesians are Southeast Asians, they're not part of Oceania

[@nenabunena]

Polynesians and micronesians aren't that ancient

[@silvers2211]

They were called "Austronesians"

[@wawanhardsound6307]

The correct is Austronesian people....because polynesian is part of them. Austronesian spread from Madagaskar to Rapa nui near Chile

[@88macchan_]

I have so much respect for my ancestors and I am proud to be a Polynesian :)

[@tiahaley301]

The canoe is from the Fijians called the drau if you see the design it’s Fijian ... best warship back in the day ! Captain Cook when first came about to Tonga he decided to stay far away because these canoe are known to be very fast !

[@albertbatfinder5240]

I would encourage anyone who wants to know more about this subject to get hold of “We, The Navigators” by David Lewis (1972). An undeniable classic, Lewis recounts his voyages as guided by contemporary traditional navigators from the Caroline islands. Possibly the greatest literary crossover between empirical science and ocean adventure.

[@johngergen4871]

Yes, Lewis, author “We the Navigators”. I used it as a book report for my Anthropology class Pacific Islanders. To bad Ted does not offer resources for more comprehensive Information.

[@kukumundi]

Thank you Mau Piailug and Nainoa Thompson for saving this wonderfully complex art from extinction!

[@sillau9]

Facts..👏🏻👏🏻💯 (R.I.P. to Mau Piailug)

[@starcherry6814]

Such brilliant travellers! Better than Columbus!

[@Driftwoodgeorge]

123 people don't like this," must be Vikings.

[@aamatya08]

Actually much much better because Columbus went the complete opposite way and was lost. The small islands that these people landed at, you would need pin point accuracy to hit and land at.

[@thevaiomoungas114]

Lol

[@friendsdontlie8291]

Yes because Columbus forgot the FREAKING CONTINENT IN THE MIDDLE

[@brandonbohr.7301]

No

[@xxfreshpineapplesxx]

As a Micronesian from the tiny island of Saipan, way finding was a tradition passed down by our elders!!! Papa Mau, the father of all wayfinders taught the Hawaiian people how to find their way through the Ocean. He was from the Caroline Islands in Micronesia. Papa Mau’s influence is still great till this day amount our people but is constantly overshadowed by his predecessors in Hawaii. I hope they give credit where credit is due and start acknowledging that Hawaii isn’t the only island in the pacific. More importantly, the pacific is made up of 3 regions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. We were all great wayfinders because our ancestors were well traveled throughout the pacific and Asia. Papa Mau showed they ways of our ancestors, let’s make sure we remember where we came from, the first rule in wayfinding!!!!

[@quizdragonstudios8296]

Yeah we've all seen Moana

[@MagentaLooks]

Me neither

[@whiskey419]

I've never seen it too.

[@lindan7238]

Quizimododragon Studios has isn't The point though :/ this is a more historical one

[@imafucknrockstarr]

Yes, because Moana is an extremely accurate representation of my ancestors and how they navigated the Pacific -__-

[@geraldsoria1764]

Dominique Kahale-Webster well at least it gives them the basic information of wayfinding, i remember my kumu implanting wayfinding into our studies.

[@calska140]

Reflection on the under side of clouds? That is incredible. I didn't know humans were capable of that. i am in utter awe.

[@razonjoanify]

Pormpuraaw, Gauguin Ymithirr, Kuuk Thaayaorre in Australia and a tribe in the pacific (forgotten the name) that has retained their languages which doesn’t use “left or right” for direction and expression of time, they use cardinal directions to express space, time and location... I.e. could be expressed as...”my bag is just in front of you to the right” would be “my bag is north east of you...”. In oceanic languages there was usually two ways of expressing geo directions... one based on inland/ seaward axis and one based on land or near land (like body water on land like rivers)... these systems uses up down or left (on an inland body of water) or right to left (inland toward the sea) axis depending on where you, where as the sea based systems integrates northwest-southeast axis...

[@jm5390]

The ancient Polynesians are probably the most amazing navigators I can fathom. To use simple tools, the environment, and the sky to traverse an ocean 1/3 the surface area of Earth is nothing short of genius!

[@amberschreiber7802]

and let us never forget the most honorable Eddie Aikau from the Hōkūle’a’s first failed mission!!🥺❤️

[@chertfoot1500]

"Eddie would go"

[@rons9404]

"We read the wind and the sky when the sun is high,We sail the length of the seas on the ocean breeze,At night we name every star, We know where we are,We know who we are, who we are...

[@dragongirl7978]

What the heck, I already thought these people were completely badass from Moana, but now I'm like, they are badass super geniuses. Like seriously, I want a Polynesian wayfinder to teach me science.

[@fahamidaakter461]

Here me who doesn't have 1% knowledge about navigation and thousands of years ago they rocked their adventure with their everyday visualization. Respect 👏👏

[@applewhite4286]

2 Hawaiian Canoes, the Hokule'a and the Hikianalia did the Mālama Honua voyage in 2017. Hikianalia is the sister canoe to the Hokule'a.

[@boceksiadam]

Ancient people are so cool. They knew all the useful stuff, while only know trivia.

[@DeoMachina]

Don't be hard on yourself! You can read and write, and work a computer. Each society forgets the knowledge it doesn't need, and learns the things that are more important at that time.

[@columbus8myhw]

Don't compare the average person from our time to the experts from then. Our experts are pretty damn nifty. They build rockets and do brain surgery.

[@ayazamikanz5299]

But they can't paint flowers.

[@oiaueamsad7956]

+Razor Maroon We paint with the flowers. We wear the flowers. We put them on our heads, wear them in our ta'ovalas sometimes and yeet.

[@credinzel6996]

Only the experts of ancient civilization. These guys had to work hard to navagate the ocean. Just like you have to work hard to program.

[@kenposney4600]

Really well done...except for one glaring omission. At time 4:35 this talks about how in 2017, there was a "worldwide voyage using only these techniques". What happened to the first modern attempt to prove these Polynesian concepts in 1976, Hawaii to Tahiti, led by Captain Elia David Kuʻualoha "Kawika" Kapahulehua and Navigator Pius "Mau" Piailug?

[@chertfoot1500]

yeah, the Hokule'a has gone nearly everywhere!

[@HulittyJing]

THEY KNEW THE WAY!!

[@alejandrobasaldua5930]

Thank God, finally an answer! I have always wondered about this.

[@harrymiram6621]

8/10=overall presentation. Better than average narration. XLNT visual information

[@wiremucurtis4865]

When people only know about your culture from a Disney film :/ FML

[@oiaueamsad7956]

Iooo I feel the painnn but we got that island tokousa and ofa in usss xD

[@theresahall6197]

I get it might be a little annoying but outside Polynesian people not many people know you. Moana talk about the culture. There was a silly person who thought Moana was culture appropriation. Moana wasn't even in the myths. The myths focus on maui and his family.

[@shadowboxing7029]

I don't really mind if people don't know much about my Polynesian culture in particular, at least outside of my country. It's nice to have a little recognition but I think it's more important that we know more about ourselves.

[@hubbletrubble7875]

@@theresahall6197 but what if moana is part of maui's family bum bum bummmmmm watch the film theory

[@stanislawwitkowicz918]

Polynesian culture is facinating and deserves more recognition. I know "Moana" is not a perfect way to show it, but in comparison to all Disney's movies with other cultures it's _amazing_ and can really encourage to study the subject. Well, it did so to me...

[@karlzzzyzz]

Ancient Polynesian : navigate the Sea only using the sky Meanwhile me an indonesian : * having trouble using a compass

[@sillau9]

Well Indonesians ain't the one that inhabited all those islands,it was the Polynesians..your not Polynesian,your Indonesian,not the same thing..

[@gelasmerah1551]

@@sillau9 Same ancestor tho, the one who sails from Taiwan bringing their knowledge of seafaring

[@sillau9]

@@gelasmerah1551 still not the same credit..Polynesians had to figure out how to voyage longer distance,make bigger boats,and survive the long distance,etc..so no..

[@PlaceStillMatters]

Sun, moon, stars, planets, ocean currents, and clouds were used in navigation. Impressive!

[@BoyProdigyX]

I'm so grateful for places like this, where some of the lesser known histories of the world, like mine shown here, are brought to light. Thanks! 🤙🏽 Aloha!

[@bulatog380]

Malayo-Polynesians, the greatest sailor-navigators. My ancestors don't have advanced tools, only keen senses and plain courage which made them traverse the seas from New Zealand to Africa.

[@andrewblack7852]

Never mentioned the flash on the horizon the ancestors could produce for the navigator in a pinch. My friend was stearing hokulea with master navigaymtor mau palug. Mao was asleep in the canoe.. he woke up and said you are off course. He was that keyed in. The sound of the waves hitting the hull was changing, telling him in his sleep that their course was changing.

[@chertfoot1500]

In Blakenfield's book, I think it was, Mau said he started learning that when he was a baby. His grandfather would put him in a tide pool...

[@JuandelaCruz001]

Yes, their roots are indeed from SE Asia. As a Filipino (part of the Malay-Polynesian race), I did hear that many years back, someone was doing a doctoral thesis on the navigational prowess of our forebears and had been apparently the first peoples/tribes to circumnavigate the globe. Sadly I didn't pay much attention and now I wonder what became of it.

[@MananagKiVato]

Austronesians all share a common ancestor with taiwan's Atayal tribe around 3000+ years ago.

[@randomly_random_0]

it's not a race. It's a subgroup of Austronesian language family

[@JuandelaCruz001]

LagiNaLangAko23 Yep, though honestly I can't remember it now?

[@robertfindlay2325]

David Lewis, a Kiwi medical doctor resident in the UK, did his PhD on Polynesian navigation in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and proved the techniques to European satisfaction by sailing his catamaran Rehu Moana around the parts of the Pacific using only Polynesian techniques. I believe he sailed it back to the UK via the Straits of Magellan. I think his PhD was undertaken through the Australian National University in Canberra.

[@navimana]

Malay-Polynesian isn't a race

[@gameboyhotline3712]

Long live the queendom of Hawaii

[@sketchyinteractions5449]

You doth dab on 37% onth thine haters

[@MetaDecker]

What if the haters dab back?

[@eceetv4280]

Well then you gotta bottle flip the haters.

[@un-ironicproductions6096]

Hawaiian culture is dying

[@friendsdontlie8291]

Thetshow // I didn’t understand a single word you said learn your grammar

[@vincentleapai5409]

Samoa 🇼🇸. The sacred place of the Pacific. Proud Polynesia ❤

[@islandvibez]

Outrigger canoes are so worthy, they enabled travelling voyages across the oceans of planet Earth. We call these bangka, or Paraw.

[@kidneedonor8088]

And they knew the earth was round since time began. Our teachers told us they thought the earth flat but they were wrong. People ALWAYS knew the earth was round.

[@hadhamalnam]

Imagine being one of the first people who accidentally drifted too far from shore and after traveling through open ocean for days or weeks, suddenly landing on an uninhabited island

[@dalastkanakamaoli9058]

Wasn't accidental polynesians were looking for land we were not scared of the ocean like the Europeans

[@xXZiiLERXx]

Wasn't an accident. You should watch a KZbinr named, Cogito. He's talks about how it would be impossible to "accidentally" drift towards the specific islands the poly's sailed to. Its very interesting.

[@frankmartin8471]

Why imagine an accident? Is that the what you're familiar with?

[@jonathang1700]

@@dalastkanakamaoli9058 Initially it was likely a combination of a high degree of skill and also good fortune. Obviously you could not find an island you do not know exists at first without some luck. But they likely developed many techniques to understand where they were in many ways on those first journeys and once nearing land could skillfully target it. Once they made their discoveries they would be able to discern their way between islands. extraordinarily impressive

[@Sikasays]

@@jonathang1700 alot of islands were known to exist because they watched birds that couldn't float fly off on migrations.

[@nikoliu5797]

I'm 100% Tongan and I need a GPS to go outside and get the mail.

[@jean-pierredevent970]

@Mat K Hey I have visited Okinawa in 1998 with a choir with as conductor Hiroshi Gibe. We stayed in the hotel Tiara in Naha for a night which was in the red light district it was said. I was very impressed by what I felt there. It was like there was a kind of spiritual soul present. But I can't go back, way too expensive for me. I have visited the Philippines though and it's far from being the same but something of the gentleness and friendliness is present there too. I don't know if you think there is much difference please???

[@markfoai2132]

Because you live in a farm not the coast 😅

[@wes326]

Polaris not only shows true north, but the angle from the horizon to Polaris shows your latitude. Helpful in the northern hemisphere.

[@jayminor9757]

There is a fascinating book about trans oceanic flying, written in 1954 by Guy Murchie. He delves deeply into the history of navigation and the Polynesians get a good bit of space in the chapters dealing with the subject. The book contains a multitude of beautiful etchings and wood cuts that illustrate the subjects being dealt with perfectly. Anyone who is impressed with this video would enjoy it immensely.

[@Housewarmin]

*Immediately starts singing Moana songs.* A WAY A WAY. We set a course to find!!!! I am MOANAAA!!! What Can I say except You’re welcome!!!

[@Chris7ianGMZ]

It would had been very interesting if they had used this information when she was sailing.

[@XD192]

Auē** 😊

[@oopsy444]

Sincerelyy Eccentric damn you beat me to it.

[@grainfrizz]

Tatou o tagata folau vala’auina Le atua o sami tele e o mai Ua ava’e le lu’itau e lelei Tapenapena Olo, olo vaka Aue, aue Nuku i mua Te manulele e tataki e Aue, aue Te fenua, te mālie Nae ko hakilia kaiga e

[@CadetGriffin]

_You're measuring the stars, not giving the sky a high five._

[@mountainrock7682]

Polynesian canoes: Wa'a Kaulua Philippine canoes: karakoa

[@CCCC-rv7km]

Ancient people were absolutely brilliant!!

[@mctulkyviperbit6166]

The most resourceful people on the planet, with so little resources they traveled so far.

[@curtisthomas2670]

The Polynesians probably amassed the largest trove of ocean navigation techniques and skills of any civilization. Besides those outlined hete they also used rainfall, winds, waves swells and currents, color of the ocean etc

[@eeeaten]

thankfully those skills and understandings were retained and shared again by micronesians, who kept them going while they were lost in polynesia.

[@micahbush5397]

Columbus's naysayers: "The ocean is too vast, you'll never make it to Asia before your stores run out, if treacherous currents don't sink your ships first." Ancient Polynesians: "Let’s sail into this enormous ocean and hope we don't run out of islands."

[@kimisahaja3551]

The history of south east asia is quite vast. Our ancestors may all come from a single place. The similarity of natives in both region apply strong proof of the theory.

[@MananagKiVato]

Kimi Sahaja Melanesians come from mainland southeast asia, and everybody else comes from Taiwan, although polynesians are a mix of melanesian and the lapita which come from taiwan.

[@quin2910]

Kimi Sahaja Africa? Humans started out in Africa and expanded to the rest of the world

[@MikeRoberts1964]

So the current theory goes....

[@captain_swaggin4065]

Mike Roberts well we all descend from a common ancestor who was most likely East African

[@steveboy7302]

+Captain_swaggin thats only an accepted theory however there are others who dispute this theory

[@bobstickman4480]

Clicked immediately expecting lots of moana references. Was not disappointed

[@ducker09]

My ancestors left home lack of water / warfare. They just drifted . Some found lands others were never heard of again 😮

[@eeeaten]

that's not how polynesians found new lands. ocean exploration was done not out of desperation but with much preparation and planning. big ocean-going waka were built, provisions were accumulated, they waited for the right weather conditions and sailed into the wind, searching for islands, then using the wind to sail easily home. no aimless drifting required.

[@frankmartin8471]

I think some people need to learn about the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Mau Piailug, and Nainoa Thompson.

[@IRosamelia]

*I'm Impressed!!!!*

[@martinezlopau9859]

Polynesians are amazing!

[@cameron4225]

expecting lots of MOANA in the comments...

[@mennoastfalck2267]

1 hour later and the comments section is like a wayfinder in a poorly-built wa'a kaulua, drowning in Moana comments

[@Aresftfun]

THANK YOU this is really important in the argument that early settlers navigated to the americas.

[@thisweekendsadventure]

To be exact, New Zealand and other islands were navigated by a bird named the Long Tail Cuckoo, which travels south during the summer months.