The Evolution of Polynesian Culture

By the first millennium CE, a culture we would recognise as Polynesian and at least partly moldy had formed. Culture of these islands was interesting and mostly different to what was going on in Europe at the time. Most cultures were matrilineal, that is, your status and succession was based upon who your mother was, not your father. As colonisation continued further east, however, Polynesian society moved to a more cognatic system. This may have been a response to men being on long voyages often and women being left in charge of the home front. And tapu, the idea of something being sacred or forbidden, are formed during this period as well. Tri