Skip to Main Content

MANA Experience: Arts & Culture

Research guide for MANA students.

MANA

The cultures of Pacific Islanders are built on ancient beliefs that support living an honorable and noble existence. Traditional Polynesian music, dancing, and cuisine are strongly ingrained in the culture.
Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia are the three geo-cultural sub-regions that make up the region. These differences were made by early European explorers based on their perceptions of cultural, physical, and language differences among Pacific Island peoples.

There are many languages and cultures spoken by this diverse group of people in these regions like Hawaiian, Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian. This guide is about this rich heritage, arts, and culture. Read More

**  According to Hawaiian and Pacific Islander culture, Mana is known as spiritual energy that is a source of power and strength. **

Note: You should sign in with your El Camino library credential to be able to watch the videos in this libguide.

Molokai, Hawaii Indigenous Experience

This video represents some of the traditions and cultural practices of Hawaii.

Spirit of the land: Hawaii

Hawaiians have a rich cultural and historical heritage. They inherited their values, art, and legend from ancient Polynesia, where they lived before sailing to the islands that became today's Hawaii. In recent years, efforts have been made to revive these traditions and teach them to the next generation.  

The funeral in Tonga

In the kingdom of Tonga, funerals are extremely important culturally. The mourning process is highly ritualized in Tonga. This documentary video takes viewers behind the scenes of Tongan funeral ceremonies and explains how the deceased is elevated to the role of ancestors as part of the rites.

Papua New Guinea Skull Art

The people of Papua New Guinea have a tradition of decorating their skulls with shells, beads, and feathers. They believe that the spirit of the dead man lives on in the skull, and they use it to summon ancestors for guidance.

The Cook Island: Perfect Paradise

A very short video about The Cook Islands. The Cook Islands are made up of 15 islands, with only two being inhabited and made up of three main island groups: The Northern Group (Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Penrhyn), The Middle Group (Mitiaro, Mauke and Rakahanga), and The Southern Group (Mangareva, Takutea, Pukapuka). The Cook Islands are located in the South Pacific Ocean.

Maori Indigenous Art

The Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of The Land of the Long White Cloud. They have a rich culture and history that is full of stories, traditions, and customs. This document reveals Maori art and tradition filled with beauty, belief, strength, and fear. It has been passed down through generations as a way to express their culture, spirituality, and beliefs. 

Guam Cuisine

Guam is a small island in the Pacific Ocean with a rich culture and history. The cuisine is influenced by its Asian, Spanish, Filipino, and Pacific Island heritage.

Ask-A-Librarian