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The extended family forms the basis of all Polynesian societies. The
extended family may contain up to four generations. A village was made up of
several extended families. Common ancestors linked most people and families
in a village.
Villages owned their land for hundreds and hundreds of years. Over time each
village established and developed rules and traditions.
An important part of village life in Polynesia were the systems that
involved leadership, decision making and power. Because of these systems of
leadership there are many complex rules and relationships between people in
a village.
Extended families were lead by elders. These elders made the decisions
affecting the extended family. The elders were given the utmost respect at
all times. The elder's decisions were not questioned.
The leaders of extended families and villages could become leaders in two
ways:
- By being appointed by the Gods (ancestry).
- By being chosen by the people of the village according to the personal
traits and abilities of the leader.
Leaders who were appointed by the gods were treated as though they were gods
themselves. The villagers believed that these leaders were their links to
the gods.
Villagers held both types of leaders in very high esteem and treated them
respectfully.
This material has been produced by UNITEC Institute of Technology
under contract to the Ministry of Education.
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