Tapu (Polynesian culture)

Tapu (or tabu ) is a concept that appears in many Polynesian cultures, for example in the culture of Māori and Tongan. It denotes something sacred or consecrated. The corresponding word in the Hawaiian language is kapu.

In the tradition of Māori and Tongan is tapu ( Māori ) or tabu ( Tonga ) something sacrosanct, inviolable, holy things. Things or places that are tapu must not be touched or visited. In some cases, may not even be talked about tapu.

Often this concept is used to protect vital resources from overexploitation. In Hawaii, kapu was limited using the before the arrival of Europeans fishing in such a way that the total income was substantially higher than at any time thereafter. In the world of Māori tohunga (eg priests ) used the taboo to protect about a fish pond. In some place names, the word tapu emerged as a syllable, for example in wai -o- tapu, translated holy water.

The German word taboo (english: Taboo ) has its origin in this word and its meaning. Taboo was used by James Cook became the first Europeans after his visit to Tonga in 1777, before the word as taboo in the early 20th century found its way into Germany.