PERSEPHONE ─ INFORMATION GUIDE

MAKAHIKI

MAKAHIKI

The Makahiki season is the ancient New Year festival, in honor of the god Lono. It is a holiday covering four consecutive lunar months from October or November through February or March. The focus of his season was a time for men, women, and chiefs to rest, strengthen the body and have great feasts of commemoration. During the Makahiki season labor was prohibited and there were days for resting and feasting. During this period they agave thanks to the god Lono for his care. He brought life, blessings, peace and victory to the land. They also prayed to the gods for the death of their enemies. Maka'ainana (commoners) prayed that lands of the ali'i (chief) may increase, and that their own physical health along with health of their chiefs be at the fullest.

Many religious ceremonies occurred during this period. Commoners stopped work, made offerings to the chief, and then spent their time practicing sports, feasting, dancing, renewing communal bonds. During the four lunar months of the Makahiki season warfare was forbidden which was used as "a ritually inscribed means to assure that nothing would adversely affect the new crops"

Today, the Aloha Festivals celebrate the Makahiki tradition.

FESTIVITIES
The Makahiki festival was celebrated in three phases. The first phase was a time of spiritual cleansing and making ho'okupu, offerings to the gods. The Konohiki, a class of chiefs that managed land, provided the serive of tax collector, collected agricultural and aquacultural products such as pigs, taro, sweet potatoes, dry fish, kapa, and mats. Some offerings were in the form of forest products such as feathers. The people had no money or other similar medium of exchange. These were offered on the alters of Lono at heiau-temples- in each distract around the island. Offerings were also made at the ahu, stone altars set up at the boundary lines of each community.

All war was outlawed to allow unimpeded passage of the image on Lono. The festival proceeded in a clockwise circle around the island as the image of Lono (Akua Loa, a long pole with a strip of tapa and other embellishments attached) was carried by the priests. At each ahupua'a (community) the caretakers of that community presented ho'okupu to the Lono image, a fertility god who cause things to grow and who gave plenty and prosperity to the islands. The Akua Loa was adorned with white kapa streamers and the king placed a niho palaoa necklace on the deity. During a certain time the deities couldn't be upright therefore were laid down to put horizontally as a sign of homage to the king.

The second phase was a time of celebrations: of hula dancing, of sports (boxing, wrestling, sliding on sleds, javelin marksmanship, bowling, surfing, canoe races, relays, and swimming), of singing and of feasting. Some of these games that were played were physical sports. Other games were played for your mind. However, not only were the contestants being judged, but their family name was also on the line. One of the best preserved lava sled courses is the Keauhou Holua, which is a national historic landmark. The Kanaka Maoli were also passionate about the games for their mind. These games consisted of riddles, recitation of genealogies, proverbs, and knowledge of hidden meanings. Our ancestors cherished these games and held them dear to the na'au. They also placed bets on a favorite champion which was a common practice in tradition times. Some daring to bet their lives as well. Makahiki games are still practiced today by many organizations and enrichment programs for the younger generations to learn of their ancestors.

In the third phase, the wa'a 'auhau (tax canoe) was loaded with ho'okupu and taken our to sea where it was set adrift as a gift to Lono. At the end of the Makahiki festival, the chief would go off shore in a canoe. When he came back in he stepped on shore and a group of warriors threw spears at him. He had to deflect or parry the spears to prove his worthiness to continue to rule.