For a discussion of the history of French Polynesia in its broader, regional context, see Pacific Islands. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Marquesas Islands may have been settled about 200 bce from western Polynesia. The era of European exploration began in the 1500s when “ships without outriggers” began to arrive. ; populations spread gradually from the larger and more hospitable valleys on the southeastern coasts of the large islands to occupy more arid and rugged areas throughout the group. In 1521, Magellan spotted the atoll of Pukapuka in what is now the Tuamotu Islands and, in 1595, the Spanish explorer Mendaña visited visited the island of Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas. Nuku Hiva is the Marquesas’ principal island. The landscape of the Marquesas is characterised by high volcanic mountains and rugged steep cliffs. For young females of the Marquesas Islands, the first coital experience reportedly is earlier than it is for young males before menarche —and occurs unplanned with an adult male (Suggs, 1966, p. 63). Polynesian culture - Polynesian culture - Traditional Polynesia: Linguistic evidence suggests that western Polynesia was first settled some 3,000 years ago, by people of the Lapita culture. The Marquesas Islands (French: Îles Marquises or Archipel des Marquises or Marquises. The Marquesas Islands, like the Society Islands, appear to have been settled from western Polynesia by about 200 b.c. Every four years, Nuku Hiva hosts the Marquesas Arts Festival, a celebration of the renowned artistic talent and deeply rooted traditions of these islands. History and Cultural Relations. It has proved harder to establish when eastern Polynesia was settled. Due to the cold Humboldt stream coming from the Antartic there are no coral reef formations around the islands. The Aranui The best way to experience the primitive beauty of these faraway islands is to take an adventure cruise aboard the Aranui V. Its rugged wooded terrain rises to Mount Tekao (3,888 feet [1,185 metres]) and is drained by small streams. The Marquesas; History; The Marquesas in detail. Among ali‘i, an experienced chiefess, usually a blood “aunt,” instructed and trained the young males. It is also widely regarded as the most beautiful of the Marquesas. Among the first islands to be settled by the Polynesians during the great South Pacific migrations, the Marquesas served as a dispersal point for the whole Polynesian triangle from Hawai’i to Easter Island and New Zealand. About Tahitian History. The Marquesas Islands are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Marquesas islands are basically of volcanic origin on which one typically finds black lava, basalt and red tufa. Hiva Oa, largest island of the southeastern Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, central South Pacific. The volcanic island’s mountainous slopes rise directly from the sea, reaching an elevation of some 4,000 feet (1,200 metres) at Mount Temetiu. Pacific Island Guide to Family History Research; General Information [edit | edit source]. There is neither a coastal plain nor a fringing The Marquesan Dog or Marquesas Islands Dog is an extinct breed of dog from the Marquesas Islands.Similar to other strains of Polynesian dogs, it was introduced to the Marquesas by the ancestors of the Polynesian people during their migrations. French Polynesia - French Polynesia - History: This section focuses specifically on the history and development of the area and country now known as French Polynesia. Research Help [edit | edit source]. It is possible that some islands were occupied soon after the arrival of Lapita colonists in western Polynesia. 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