The legends of Kelea, Laie-i-ka-wai, and the Bird Maiden all
use surf riding as a “catalyst for love and desire” (p.17). In
“Kelea-nui-noho-‘ana-‘api’ api,” Kelea’s unmatched skill and grace on the wave
are cause for both her marriages. In “The Story of Laie-i-ka-wai,”
Laie-i-ka-wai uses surf riding as a test of merit, and the Bird Maiden in
“Faithless Lover Is Turned to Stone” fell in love with Ka-hiki-lani for his
determination to surf the difficult waves of Pau-malu Bay. The theme of surf
riding as a catalyst for love and desire is obvious among these three legends,
but after further reading one can’t help but see another more refined theme. These
three heroines are a representation of Hawaiian women.
Each of the heroines’ actions, inactions, and decisions
during their legends shape the general character of Hawaiian women. Qualities
such as respect, independence, equality, and beauty are expressed throughout. The
first heroine, Kelea was a chiefess who didn’t show weakness or protest to
being wife-snatched. After being kept isolated for ten years, her husband, the
king, respected her request to sightsee and understood that she couldn’t be
caged on land forever. Upon witnessing Kelea’s grace while surf riding, her
next suitor didn’t hesitate to offer the shirt off his back to cover her
nakedness as she came ashore. The following heroine, Laie-i-ka-wai, makes the
decision to marry the king only after seeing him. While surfing alongside the
king, she questions his repeated riding of short waves. She chooses the true
king in her eyes, Hala-aniani, for proving his ability to ride long waves
rather than simply boasting of it. The last heroine, The Bird Maiden, lives in
a cave without mention of any family. She falls in love with Ka-hiki lani, but
he absentmindedly accepts a kiss from another woman. He turns to stone after
being faithless and attempting to return to The Bird Maiden. The women of
Hawaii are portrayed as being free to lead their lives according to their own standards
and are respected for it.
I posted about this too. It's interesting to find a culture that portray women and men equals.
ReplyDelete