‘Aimata, Queen Pomare IV: Thwarting Adversity in 19th Century Tahiti

Authors

  • Karen Stevenson University of Canterbury, Christchurch

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15286/jps.123.2.129-144

Keywords:

Tahiti, Queen Pomare/Pomare IV, British missionisation, French colonialism, To‘ohitu

Abstract

Queen ‘Aimata Pomare IV was monarch of Tahiti for 50 years (1827-77). Her reign was a time of monumental change in Tahiti. During this time Christianity became commonplace, ari‘i 'chiefs’ in the traditional political system became legislators in a European political system and Tahiti became French. Pomare IV worked through these changes, evolving from a non-Christian youth to a very politically shrewd stateswoman. This essay examines her life and her reign which was was mired in political conflict, opposition, intrigue and foreign intervention.

Author Biography

Karen Stevenson, University of Canterbury, Christchurch

Karen Stevenson is Adjunct Senior Fellow at the University of Canterbury. Her writings and research have focused on the politics and institutionalisation of culture, art and identity; the Pacific Arts Festival; and most recently on contemporary Pacific art in New Zealand. She is the author of The Frangipani is Dead, Contemporary Pacific Art in New Zealand, 1985-2000, co-editor for Pacific Arts: Persistence, Change and Meaning in Pacific Art and Re-presenting Pacific Art, and was the editor of Pacific Artists Navigating the Global Art World. Her most recent book, Hidden Treasures, highlights the art collection of the Oceania Centre at the University of the South Pacific.
Vol 123, No 2 (2014)

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Published

2014-10-06

Issue

Vol. 123 No. 2 (2014)

Section

Articles

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