Hawaii: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans review – a feather-filled thriller full of gods, gourds and ghosts

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Worrisome Warbler

Hawaii: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans review – a feather-filled thriller full of gods, gourds, and ghosts

The global explorer James Cook's tragic death on the shores of Hawaii's Kealakekua Bay in 1779 still sends shivers down anthropologists' spines. While Cook had previously visited Hawaii and was identified as the god Lono, he didn't know it, leading to a cultural misunderstanding that resulted in his demise. The debate surrounding Cook's death has been ongoing, with some arguing that he was killed because of his repeated visits, while others claim that British colonialist assumptions of "native" irrationality were imposed on the Hawaiians.

However, what is less well-known is the aftermath of Cook's death and the complex cultural encounter that followed. The British Museum's latest exhibition, which explores the history of Hawaii through its treasured objects, takes a different approach to the story, focusing on the monarchy at its core. By putting the "British" narrative into perspective, the show reveals a more nuanced picture of how the Hawaiian kingdom navigated cultural diplomacy and maintained its sovereignty in the face of colonial powers.

At the heart of this exhibition is an impressive collection of Hawaiian treasures, including feathered godheads, 'uli'uli dance rattles, and intricately carved wooden bowls. These artworks not only showcase the craftsmanship and artistic genius of Hawaiian culture but also serve as powerful symbols of identity and memory for the indigenous people. The fact that these delicate, fragile pieces have survived for almost 250 years is a testament to the British Museum's dedication to preserving cultural heritage.

The exhibition is more than just a celebration of Hawaii; it's a defense of museums with global collections. By acknowledging the complex history behind each object and its significance within Hawaiian culture, the show offers a refreshing alternative to the typical "discovery" narrative often associated with colonialism. The objects on display are not relics of a dead culture but rather instruments of cultural resistance.

Ultimately, the story of Hawaii's encounter with Britain ends with the deaths of King Kamehameha I and Queen Kamamulu in 1824, who died of measles in London. Their bodies were sent back to Hawaii as a gesture of respect, and their legacy continues to inspire Hawaiian culture today. As the objects on display attest, the story is far from over. The shark-toothed club and other artifacts serve as powerful reminders that cultural heritage is not static but dynamic, evolving with each generation.

This exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in Hawaiian history, colonialism, or cultural diplomacy. It's a thrilling tale of gods, gourds, and ghosts, set against the backdrop of one of the Pacific's most fascinating cultures. By exploring the complexities of this cultural encounter, we gain a deeper understanding of the power of art to transcend borders and time, speaking to us today as much as they did two centuries ago.
 
🌺💫 just went to this exhibition and OMG it was soooo good! 🤯 the artifacts are insane 👀 like who knew feathered godheads were a thing? 🙃 and those 'uli'uli dance rattles are giving me life 💖 the way they showcase hawaiian culture is so respectful and not your typical colonial narrative 😒 we need more of this type of exhibitions! 🎨💪
 
I just saw this exhibition review and I gotta say, it sounds really deep 🤯. I mean, I knew the story about James Cook and all that, but I never thought about how it affected the Hawaiians' perspective on their own culture. The fact that they used these objects as symbols of identity and memory is so fascinating to me 😮. And what's with the whole "discovery" narrative thing? It's like, we're still discovering new things about our own cultures, right? 🤷‍♀️ I feel like this exhibition offers a fresh perspective on colonialism and cultural exchange, but I haven't actually seen it yet, so maybe I'm just missing out 🎥.
 
🤩 I just saw the exhibition at the British Museum about Hawaii's history and I'm totally blown away! The way they've curated the collection is so thoughtful and nuanced - it's not your typical "discovery" narrative that you often see in museums. I love how they're using these beautiful artifacts to tell a story of cultural resistance and resilience.

It's amazing to think about all these delicate pieces surviving for almost 250 years, it's like they're still speaking to us today! 🙏 The exhibition is like a time capsule, transporting you to another world that's both familiar and yet, utterly alien. I'm also loving the way they're highlighting the complexities of cultural diplomacy and how art can transcend borders and time.

I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical about museums at first, but this exhibit has totally won me over! 🤗 The fact that they're using these artifacts as a reminder of Hawaiian culture's strength and survival is just incredible. It's like the objects are still radiating their spirit and energy, even after all these years.

If you haven't seen it yet, trust me, you need to check it out ASAP! 💥
 
🤝 I'm kinda disappointed that it took so long for museums like the British Museum to showcase Hawaiian history in a more nuanced way. Like, shouldn't we be learning about these cultures from their own perspectives already? 🤓 It's cool that they're putting the "British" narrative into perspective and highlighting the monarchy at its core, but we need more of this kind of storytelling to help break down our Eurocentric biases. 👏 The artworks on display are definitely stunning, though! 💥 I'm excited to see how this exhibition sparks a bigger conversation about cultural diplomacy and sovereignty in Hawaii's history 🌺👑
 
🤔 I mean, what's up with all these "god" stories? Like, Cook was just trying to explore new lands, not worship some dude from ancient Hawaii 🙄. And can we talk about how messed up it is that he ended up dead because of his own assumptions? Anyway, this exhibit sounds pretty cool, I guess. It's awesome that they're showing the real story behind these objects instead of just presenting them as relics or whatnot. The feathered godheads and 'uli'uli dance rattles are straight fire 🔥. And I love how it highlights the power of art to bring people together across time and space. Maybe we can all learn a thing or two from the Hawaiians about cultural diplomacy and resistance? 🤝
 
🤩 I'm low-key obsessed with this new exhibit at the British Museum! They're really doing it justice by showcasing the intricate culture of Hawaii in all its glory 💎 I mean, who knew that feathered godheads and 'uli'uli dance rattles were such powerful symbols of identity and memory for the indigenous people? 🌺 The way they've woven together history, cultural diplomacy, and colonialism is so masterful 🕸️ It's like a thrilling tale of gods, gourds, and ghosts, but with a totally different spin on it 😎 What I love most about this exhibit is that it's not just a celebration of Hawaiian culture, but also a defense of museums with global collections 🌐 They're acknowledging the complexities of each object and its significance within Hawaiian culture, which is so refreshing 👏
 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around how different things were back in the 80s when I was growing up 🤯. It seems like we've come a long way since then. This exhibition at the British Museum is pretty cool, but I do think it's a shame that Cook's death is still getting so much attention all these years later 😔. I mean, can't people just put things into perspective? And what's up with all this fuss over Hawaiian art and culture? It was always beautiful to me, but I guess not everyone appreciated its value back in the day 💕.

I love how they're showcasing all these amazing artifacts that have survived for so long 🤩. It's crazy to think about the craftsmanship and technique that went into creating those feathered godheads and intricately carved wooden bowls 🔥. And can you believe that the objects on display are still being used by the Hawaiian people today? It's like they're saying, "Hey, we may have been impacted by colonialism, but our culture is still alive and well" 💪.

Anyway, I'm definitely going to check out this exhibition when it comes around. It sounds like a fascinating look into Hawaii's history 🌴. Maybe it'll even make me appreciate the past more than I do already 😊.
 
I'm skeptical about how much the British Museum really knows about Hawaiian history... all these treasures they're showing off might be just loaned items, you know? 🤔 They could've sourced them from some black market collector somewhere. And what's with this "defense of museums" vibe? Like, are they trying to spin something? The fact that the objects have survived 250 years is pretty suspicious if you ask me...
 
idk why museums can't just showcase old stuff without all the drama tho 🤷‍♀️ like i'm still trying to figure out what's going on with king kamehameha's shark-toothed club lol it's cool that britain is acknowledging their colonial past and trying to make amends, but can we talk about how the hawaiians were already super advanced and had a complex society way before europe even arrived 🤯 like what would've happened if they hadn't been all colonized and instead just continued to thrive on their own? anyway, the exhibition sounds like it's gonna be lit 🎉 gotta check it out when i'm in london 👍
 
omg u gotta see dis exhibition!! 🤯 i mean, it's like who knew that hawaii had such an epic history with britain?! 🇬🇧 the way the british museum is reppin' the hawaiian culture is lowkey amazing 🙌 and those artifacts tho!!! 🔥 feathered godheads and 'uli'uli dance rattles? i need them in my life 💀💃 the show's def not just about the past, it's also like, a reminder of how museums can be used to celebrate cultural heritage 🎨🔍 and how art can bring ppl together across borders and time ⏰ so yeah, if u love history, colonialism, or just cool artifacts, u gotta check out dis exhibit 🔗
 
🤔🌺️ I'm low-key fascinated by this exhibition 🎨👑! The way it humanizes Hawaiian culture 👥💖 is so important 🙏. Like, we should be learning more about the history behind those gorgeous feather godheads ✨ and 'uli'uli dance rattles 🔔. It's all about nuance and context 📚, you know? 💡 Not just some simplistic "we discovered this cool stuff" narrative 😐. The fact that these artifacts have survived for so long is like, a testament to the resilience of Hawaiian culture 💪🌴. I'm hyped to learn more 🤓! 👀
 
I'm low-key obsessed with this new exhibit at the British Museum 🤯! It's not just about Hawaii, it's about how cultures interacted all those years ago. I love how it puts a fresh spin on history, showing that there are multiple sides to every story 📚. The objects on display are stunning, from the feathered godheads to the intricately carved bowls - they're like nothing you've ever seen before! What really gets me is how this exhibit highlights the agency of Hawaiian culture, rather than just treating them as an afterthought. It's a powerful reminder that our cultural heritage is dynamic and alive, not just some static relic of the past 💫. If you haven't checked it out yet, do yourself a favor and get to the museum ASAP! 🎟️
 
🌴 just saw the exhibition at the British Museum about Hawaii's history 🤯 it's crazy how these ancient objects have survived for so long 🕰️ the feathers, rattles, and carvings are stunning but what I loved most is that it humanizes the culture 🌟 showing us that they weren't just victims of colonialism, but active participants in their own history 💪
 
I'm totally stoked about this new exhibit at the British Museum 🤩🌴 #HawaiiExhibit #BritishMuseum #CulturalDiplomacy

The way it puts the "British" narrative into perspective is like, mind-blowing 🤯💥 I mean, we've always been taught that colonialism was all about brutal oppression, but this show shows us that there's more to the story than that 💭 #HistoryRevisited

I love how they're showcasing these incredible Hawaiian treasures, like those feathered godheads and intricately carved wooden bowls 🤯🎨 They're not just pretty objects, they're symbols of identity and memory for the indigenous people 👑 #HawaiianCulture

And can we talk about how this exhibit is a defense of museums with global collections? 💪🏽 It's all about preserving cultural heritage and acknowledging the complexities of our shared history 🌎 #MuseumLove

The fact that these delicate pieces have survived for almost 250 years is just, wow 😮👀 It's like they're still speaking to us today, telling us their stories and sharing their significance 💬 #CulturalResistance

This exhibit is a must-see for anyone interested in Hawaiian history or cultural diplomacy 🎉 I mean, it's not just about the past; it's about how we can learn from each other and build bridges across cultures 🌈 #GlobalCitizenship
 
🤯 I think what really gets me is how these artifacts are more than just relics, but actually carry a lot of weight for the indigenous people. It's like, they're not just museums pieces, but actual symbols of identity and memory. And it's crazy to see how these objects have survived all this time, almost 250 years! 🤯 The way the exhibition is set up, showing how the Hawaiian monarchy navigated cultural diplomacy and maintained its sovereignty, it's really eye-opening. I mean, we often get this simplistic "discovery" narrative with colonialism, but this show is like a refreshing slap in the face, reminding us that the story is so much more complicated than that. And let's be real, who needs a shark-toothed club to tell you that cultural heritage is not static? 🦈
 
🤯 The British Museum's latest exhibition on Hawaii is like a masterful puzzle that slowly unravels the complexities of colonialism and cultural diplomacy in 18th century Hawaii 🌴. By showcasing Hawaiian treasures like feathered godheads and intricately carved wooden bowls, the show humanizes the monarchs and highlights the agency of the Hawaiian people 💡. It's refreshing to see a museum not just display relics but also provide context on how these objects were used in cultural practices 📚. The exhibition is not just about Hawaii; it's also a powerful commentary on museums and their role in preserving cultural heritage across borders 🌎.
 
I just read about this exhibition at the British Museum and I gotta say, it's like they're showing a whole new side of Hawaiian history 🤯! The way they're highlighting the monarchy and cultural diplomacy is so refreshing. And can you believe all these artifacts have survived for almost 250 years? 🙌 It's crazy to think about how fragile they are yet still intact. I mean, I remember when I was a kid, we used to learn about Hawaii in school and it was all about the "discovery" narrative... but this exhibition is like, yeah, there's so much more to it than that 🤷‍♀️. The way they're showcasing these beautiful artworks as symbols of identity and memory for the indigenous people is just incredible 💖. I'm definitely gonna check out this exhibit when I get a chance 📚
 
I gotta say I'm kinda impressed by this exhibition 🤩. They're really giving a fresh spin on the whole Cook's death thing and it's actually super interesting to learn more about the monarchy and how they navigated those colonial powers 💼. It's not just about some relic being all old and stuff, but actual people with their own history and identity 👑. The fact that these pieces have survived for so long is wild too - it's like a time capsule 🕰️. What I love most though is how they're not shying away from the tough parts of history but instead trying to give us a more nuanced understanding of what went down 🔍.
 
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