Diamond Head from the deck of the Mai Tai
catamaran.
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Mary L., her husband and grown
children returned from a week vacationing in Hawaii. Mary met her husband there 42 years ago and they
hadn’t been back since. It was enjoyable
to hear her stories of fun, adventure, discovery and reminiscence they shared
together as a family. You see, Mary is a great story teller and when she gets
going she can have us roaring with laughter.
She couldn't help herself and purchased a book on Hawaiian quilts in
the museum’s gift shop titled The Hawaiian Quilt: A Unique American ArtForm by Linda
Boynton Arthur, PhD. Since quilting
is the genre under which the TAG-5 met, we were all interested in hearing her book review―she
read/consumed it cover-to-cover before arriving back home on the mainland. This book is not a typical “how to” quilting
book, but is about the history of Hawaiian textiles, Hawaiian quilt origins and
authentic Hawaiian history. The book has amazing image plates.
Mary read a passage from the book regarding the
first people arriving in Hawaii from the Marquesas Islands ca. 300-700 CE. This
is the same Early Medieval timeframe we have been studying in Europe—it
is now etched in our brains. As a side
note, these two sets of islands are ~2,400 miles from each other. In her book, Dr.
Arthur states:
“For
the next 1,300 years, the Hawaiian Islands were unknown to both the Western and
Asian Worlds.”
Even though contact with others was limited,
if not nonexistent, there are so many similarities to other cultures such as: political hierarchy, spiritual beliefs, taboos, and myths used to explain life,
creation and the world which is historically important to the majority of
people. Fresh in our minds are the ancient Celts with their pagan beliefs and who shared similar worship practices. As with the
ancient Celts, tattoos/body art held great spiritual
and social significance for ancient Hawaiians. This is before Christianity entered into both cultures and things changed.
It is another reminder to not just look, but really
observe what’s happening elsewhere in the world. Mary L. says:
“Our
studies are enhancing everything! Boom―click―everything is more interesting and exciting,
tying things together no matter where you go.”
Regarding a motif Mary L. observed at the
museum, she says:
“I
also must point out the 'Ohio Star' quilt motif on the ancient Kapa mat and the
use of block printing not found elsewhere fits my constant harping that nothing
is really new in design. “
Kapa mat,
In her book, Dr. Arthur states:
“Textiles of all kinds were
considered items of personal wealth . . . Textiles were used in gift exchanges
between chiefs and kings, for trading and as payment of taxes from commoners to
chiefs.” “Textiles proclaimed social status.” “The most valuable items
for trade were the feather garments of royalty, followed by sleeping mats made
of soft flax (maka loa mats), . . . and fabric made from barkcloth (kapa) used
for clothing and bed covers."
Feather capes
Hawaiian
quilting was introduced to the islands by the wives of missionaries in
1820. The design was most likely influenced by the Baltimore Album Quilts
popular circa 1840. No, quilting as we
know it is not ancient in Hawaii, but nonetheless significant and unique. We
have always looked at these quilts in awe because of the amazing amount of
handwork and design involved. Dr. Arthur’s book presents significant
information and insight into this historical art form and it is particularly worth
reading.
Hawaiian quilt,
Lei Mamo, unidentified maker, late 19th century, cotton, plain weave,
appliquéd, quilted with running and overcastting stitches, Honolulu Museum of Art Public Domain via
Wikimedia Commons.
Who
would have thought a simple vacation to Hawaii would reap this much
information!
Mary B.
Additional information:
- Book: The Hawaiian Quilt: A Unique American ArtForm by Linda Boynton Arthur, PhD
- http://www.hawaii.edu/cpis/dance/gallery/kaeppler.htm
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