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Accepted Paper
Pilina Pasifika (Indigenous Pacific Relationships between Humans and Nature)—Decolonizing Digital Discourse in Pasifika Wonder Tales
kuʻualoha hoʻomanawanui
(University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa)
This presentation explores Indigenous Pacific wonder tales depicting human and non-human interactions in traditional concepts of kinship relationships between them. Such retellings decolonize and disrupt mainstream concepts of hierarchical relationships often gendered through a patriarchal lens.
Paper long abstract
Digital media provides new opportunities for Indigenous peoples to share traditional knowledge, including wonder tales, as well as to create and reimagine wonder tales in new ways for both local and lobal audiences. Thus, it has been a resource for Indigenous communities to connect with younger generations, and to support and encourage each other. This presentation explores the powerful ways in which digital media is reaching new audiences in reimagining and retelling Indigenous wonder tales that depict human and non-human interactions that present traditional concepts of kinship relationships between humans and non-humans. Such reassertions and re-presentations work to decolonize and disrupt mainstream concepts of hierarchical relationships (placing humans above all other living and non-living entities), often gendered through a patriarchal lens. I will explore select new examples of such, including the Rotuman etiological tale Sina ma Tinirau (Sina and the Eel) (2021), a Māori retelling of a Maui the demigod legend, and the Hawaiian animated film, Kapō Maʻi Lele (And Her Flying Lady Parts) (2025).