The Arctic and Pacific - the lifestyle among the inuits and polynesians – Greenland and Tahiti
The framework: Viewpoints and perspectives of ingenious people living in two different social
and cultural environments – presentation of their past, the present day and their future.
Greenland is the largest island (2.175.600 sq km and 84% covered with ice) situated between
North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. People have lived on Greenland about 5000 years. They
migrated from North America used stone tools and the first to adapt to harsh conditions of the
island. Greenland was first explored by Eric the Red at the end of the 10th century. The people of
Greenland are peace loving and have never waged a war. Today the population is about 60.000 and
80% are inuits. The inhabitants are using their traditional kayaks. The symbols of the ancient
culture is still alive. The musical and theatrical life is based on myths and sagas conveyed in the
modern form. Today fishing is the dominating trade - about 95% of the exports. The seal and
whale catch is important for one fitth of the population. Greenland is part of the Kingdom of
Dennark and since 1953 Greenland was granted a self-governement based on parliamentary
democracy.
Tahiti is located in the Pacific Ocean and around 4000 BC a great migrion began from the South
East Asia across the ocean to Pacific Islands. The voagers were using massive double outrigger
canoes called tipainua and they navigaed by stars and winds. Tahiti is a part of the " Polynesian
triangle" (Hawaii in north, Eastern Islands in southeast and New Zealand in the south). The
inhabitants of these islands originates from common ancestors and speak a similar language
(maohi). The era of European exploration began in the 1500s and the mutiny of William Bligh's
crew aboard the H.M.S. Bounty in 1750 spread tales of Tahiti as a tropical beauty. The tahitians
maintain their heritage and traditions of their ancestors. The annual Heiva-festivals celebreates
ancient traditions and competitions: oral history and recounts the adventures of gods and warriors
(javelin was the sport of the gods) surf riding, the strongmen competing with the canoes etc. Tatoo
is originated from the god Tohu and in earlier times it was a sign reaching adolescence. Since 1998
Tahiti as part of the French Polynesia became an overseas country with their own Assembly and
President.
The documentary investigates the influence of the history on the modern daily life in the two
islands:
1.General aspects: historical background and cultural heritage (literature, arts and folklore),
identity and preserving own language, social structure, the influence of climate changes,
environmental problems, livelihood (hunting, fishing, tourism) etc.
2.Social issues: healthcare, education, attitudes towards women, the assimilation to the main
population etc.
3.Individual attitudes: spiritual culture (myths, rituals and beliefs), traditions of story telling,
lifespan (birth, marriage and funeral), importance of kinship, commom values and how they
influences the way of thinking and acting etc.
© MBMN COMMUNICATIONS LTD. MMIV
