In the Pacific Islands, Taro is believed to be one of the earliest cultivated plants. Taro is a tropical plant that primarily is grown as a root vegetable. Taro is a starchy plant that consists of carbohydrates that provides natives with the energy they need. Taro is a big factor when it comes to the culture of Pacific Islanders. The whole process of planting the seed of the Taro, harvesting it, and then feeding it to the people is a whole cultural history in itself.
I am Samoan and Hawaiian and grew up hearing origin stories of Taro as much as I ate it. In Hawai’i the native word for taro is “kalo” which appears in many creation stories of the Hawaiian people. For example this creation story of the Hawaiian people shows how “kalo” is the source and strength of the Hawaiian people.
They say that Papa Honomaku, the Earth Mother and Wakea, the sky father came together and birthed a beautiful girl named Ho’ohokukalani, the stars.
Ho’ohokukalai and Wakea came together to create a child who was born premature and alu`alu, watery or deformed. They named the child Haloa Naka Lau Kapalili, buried it into the ground and after Ho’ohokukalani wept upon the grave the kalo plant sprung forth.
Wakea and Ho’ohokukali came together again and created their second child, the strong baby boy also named Haloa. The kalo in the earth became the sustenance for the younger brother Haloa the Man, and the genealogy of the Hawaiian people was forever linked to the sacred kalo.
As you can see taro or “kalo” has deep roots in the Hawaiian culture. That is why controversy is sparked when there are big named companies who come into Hawaii and try to patent or take over the taro fields. To Native Hawaiians, the planting of taro is not only to feed their families, but is a cultural and sacred tradition embedded in the people. They do not farm/plant taro for economic gain. This is a struggle that many other Pacific Islands are facing.
More to come!
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