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5. The forming of society The nautical symbolism, which represents the founding of a family, also functions at the level of society. Myths recounting the creation of society generally involve a marriage between a girl native to the island and an immigrant. The girl is often depicted as being very close to nature; she grew, as it were, from the soil of the island, an image that marks her as a source of fertility. In contrast the man from outside usually possesses gold jewellery and on the basis of the symbolic meaning of these ornaments (severed heads) he is a successful hunter. Their marriage lays the foundation of society. On Dawera and Dawelor the mythical marriage ceremony is represented by means of boat symbolism. The story of the creation is reflected in the construction ritual of the great house, the building that traditionally represented the whole community, and which forms a symbolic boat and helmsman - the main post of the house. In essence, the house building ritual corresponds to the boat building ritual and to the imagery of sexual union linked to it. The first female ancestor is again represented by a boat, the 'drainage hole' of which is 'sealed' by a helmsman, the first male ancestor. This portrays the sexual union - the marriage - of the first ancestors which brought society 'into service'. | |
