Introduction to World History to 1600 - #17

[abe-no-seimei.livejournal.com]

Introduction to World History to 1600 (Terran)
Monday 1:00-3:00 pm

Seimei came in, a fan held to his nose. He nodded briefly and then stopped. Statue still, he lingered until a violent sneeze shook his body. Sighing, he waved the fan toward the discussion question and sat at his table while Mitsumushi busied around keeping his tea cup filled.

In 1400–1500, the production of moai on Rapa Nui reached its apex. What was their significance to the culture and what reasons are theorized for the decline of creation and erection.

Comments

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna walks in to the class almost by accident, sits down and continues to stare out the window, trying to keep one ear on the conversation.

[sakuracchyan.livejournal.com]

Sakura arrives in class and sits down in a desk somewhere near the back of the classroom, a notebook and pen sitting idle on her desk. She has no will to contribute to discussion today, not truly. Then again, has she contributed to discussion in the past?

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

The moai, all of which are male, are believed to represent the ancestors of the Polynesian chieftains that ruled the island. These chiefs legitimated their authority via their ability to mediate with powerful ancestor-gods on behalf of their people, to secure earthly blessings such as a bountiful harvest. Contrary to popular conception, the moai do not face the sea. Although they sat on ahu platforms near the seashore, where they could straddle the sacred border between the Earth, Sea, and Sky, they faced inland so they could watch over the people.

One of the reasons theorized is the decline in resources used to make them.

[absolutesnark]

Piper wanders into class and takes notes.

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor snickers and tries not to make the obvious joke.

[lisacuddy.livejournal.com]

This is purely my own thoughts, but the area is also called Te Pito te Henua, which means Navel of the World, which indicates to me a culture that is a bit more balanced in its perceptions of gender roles, even if the moai were male figures. Considering which chakra the navel is of course, although that concept is not of that culture, I find the parallel interesting. There's something sexual about the entire thing, although that may be my colonial upbringing talking.

I've also read that the production of the statues could have lead to a complete ecological disaster that descended into blood-thirsty anarchy. That may be a bit extreme, but the lesson on greed and the dangers of exploiting the environment for our own devices may be more important than the truth in this case.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

A note flies over Lisa's head and lands on her notes. Lisa - where are you getting this stuff? I've read about half the library and am mostly clueless here. - Alanna.