Christina Thompson Bücher

Wie lebt es sich mit einem Mann, der einer vollkommen anderen Kultur angehört? Der glaubt, dass die Toten uns im Schlaf besuchen kommen und dass unser Ursprung in einem mythischen Land namens Hawaiki liegt? Ein Mann, dessen Vorfahren lange Zeit gar als Menschenfresser galten? Christina Thompson erzählt die Geschichte ihrer ungewöhnlichen Liebe zu einem Maori - und zeichnet zugleich das Porträt einer faszinierenden Kultur voller Zauber, Gewalt und Aberglauben.

For over a millennium, Polynesians have inhabited the remote islands of the Pacific, a vast triangle from Hawaii to New Zealand to Easter Island. Before European explorers arrived, they were the sole inhabitants of these islands. Polynesians, both closely related and widely dispersed, trace their ancestry to epic voyagers who embarked on remarkable journeys across the ocean. The mystery of how these early Polynesians discovered and colonized such distant islands—without writing or metal tools—has puzzled scholars since the eighteenth century, known as the Problem of Polynesian Origins. This enigma is particularly personal for the author, whose Maori husband and sons descend from these ancient navigators. In this exploration, she delves into the rich history of these ancestors and the contributions of sailors, linguists, archaeologists, folklorists, biologists, and geographers who have sought to understand this legacy for three centuries. Blending history, geography, anthropology, and navigation science, the narrative offers a vivid tour of one of the world’s most intriguing regions, capturing the essence of Polynesian exploration and its significance in human history.