As a Polynesian scholar who has spent years immersed in the vibrant and intricate tapestry of my ancestral stories, I found myself captivated by Disney’s latest offering, “Moana 2.” Growing up with these tales woven into the fabric of our daily lives, it was a delight to see them reimagined on such a grand scale.
Initially shown in 2016, Disney’s film titled Moana was followed by a sequel, known as “Moana 2“, which hit theaters on November 27, 2024. Both movies have been phenomenal at the box office, drawing crowds to cinemas eager to rejoin Moana on her journey of wayfinding in the sequel. Interestingly, although they are works of fiction, both Moana and Moana 2 draw inspiration from Polynesian legends and historical contexts.
The movies narrate the tale of Moana, a young girl hailing from Motunui Island, who cannot resist the ocean’s summon. Disregarding her parents’ wishes, she embarks on an adventurous voyage alongside the demigod Maui. Their first mission is to replenish Te Fiti’s heart, followed by the recovery of the lost island of Motufetū. While the plotlines and characters may not fully adhere to Polynesian folklore, Disney has been appreciated for maintaining cultural accuracy. Interestingly, directors Ron Clements and John Musker undertook research trips during the production phase to gather knowledge about the films’ Polynesian myth references.
Maui Is a Combination of Different Polynesian Myths
In the animated movies, Maui the demigod, played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, plays a pivotal role. After taking the heart of Te Fiti, it’s Maui who causes Moana’s homeland to be shrouded in darkness, driving her to set sail on a quest to return Te Fiti’s heart in the initial film. The character of Maui in these films draws from various Polynesian cultures, as Disney has blended together the different representations of this demigod that exist across these cultures.
As a fervent cinema enthusiast, I’d say it goes something like this: Just like the movies depict Maui, the demigod is renowned for his trickster ways and enchanted fishing hook, often cast as a hero in Polynesian mythology. In Moana, they stick to tradition by showing that Maui derives a significant portion of his power from his magical fishing hook. Māori tales tell of how Maui used his enchanted fishhook to shape Polynesia. The story goes that Maui convinced his brothers to go fishing with him. While they were out, his magical hook got snagged on the ocean floor. With all their might, Maui made his brothers row as hard as they could, and in doing so, they managed to pull up the Pacific Islands, forming Polynesia.
In the movie Moana, while Disney maintains many key aspects of Maui, the character’s portrayal deviates from traditional Polynesian mythology. For instance, in the films, Maui is depicted as an orphan, whereas in legends, he is the son of a god and a mortal woman. Additionally, Maui in these tales often had familial relationships with his parents and siblings. Furthermore, there are discrepancies in Maui’s appearance between mythology and the film. A more accurate representation would have shown him as a slender young man with a top knot; however, in Moana, Maui is portrayed as a large figure, which has been criticized for reinforcing the stereotype that Polynesians are overweight.
Are Te Fiti and Nalo a Part of Polynesian Legend?
In the original Moana movie, the central theme revolved around the character Te Fiti, who was responsible for creating life and forming the foundation of many Polynesian islands. Contrastingly, Nalo serves as the main adversary in Moana 2. Due to Maui stealing Te Fiti’s heart, she transforms into the vengeful molten creature known as Te Kā. Although Disney portrays an engrossing narrative around Te Fiti, it is essential to note that this character is not present in actual Polynesian mythology.
However, Polynesian legend does speak of a goddess of fire, lightning, wind and volcanoes. Known as Pele, the goddess is known for creating the Hawaiian islands and is believed to reside in the Halemaumau crater at the summit of Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, in Hawaii. Many fans speculate that Moana‘s Te Fiti takes after Pele, most likely owing to Te Fiti’s fiery personality, Te Kā. Pele is known for her power and passion, qualities similar to those of Te Kā.
Others think that the conflict between Te Kā and Moana, with Moana attempting to heal Te Fiti’s heart, symbolically echoes the battle between Pele and Nāmaka, the water and sea deity. As the tale goes, Nāmaka ultimately triumphs following a long-drawn fight, much like how Moana manages to tame Te Kā and heal her heart, converting her back into Te Fiti.
In much the same way as the antagonist in the 2016 movie Moana 2, Nalo, draws inspiration from Polynesian mythology. Although Nalo’s presence is minimal within the film, his impact and control are unmistakable. The curse he cast upon the sea disrupted the bond between the island village, a connection that Moana aims to restore in her journey for the second movie. It is believed that Nalo’s character is influenced by Tāwhirimātea, a Polynesian deity associated with weather and storms.
‘Moana’ References the Long Pause in Polynesian Voyaging
In Polynesian history, an era known as the “Long Pause” occurred, during which Polynesians largely halted their exploration and settlement of the Pacific Ocean. Following their expansion to Tonga and Samoa around 1000 BC, it wasn’t until between 1000 and 1200 AD that they began visiting and settling in the Hawaiian Islands again, hence this long period without significant voyaging is referred to as the “Long Pause”. This historical gap has served as inspiration for both the Disney movies Moana and its sequel.
In the animated films of Moana, the mysterious period known as the “Long Pause” serves as a significant backdrop. Some researchers propose that Moana’s father forbidding her and the community from venturing beyond the reef symbolizes this elusive era. Eventually, it is Moana who restores harmony by giving Te Fiti’s heart back, dispelling darkness, and inspiring her people to relearn the ancient art of Polynesian navigation, thereby honoring their rich navigational heritage.
In the sequel to Moana, it’s proposed that Nalo, the demigod, plays a role in the mysterious “Long Pause.” He cursed the ocean and sank the island of Motufetū, severing the connections between the oceanic communities, which led to a halt in voyages. Yet, in an interesting twist, Moana 2 also offers a resolution to the “Long Pause” by depicting Maui and Moana resurrecting Motufetū from the sea depths and reestablishing links among the island villages once again.
The “Moana” movies aren’t a word-for-word depiction of Polynesian folklore; instead, Disney has used their creative license to develop the characters and plot. Despite this, since the films are set in the Pacific Ocean and Disney has partnered with the Oceanic Cultural Trust for the narrative creation of “Moana” (2016) and its sequel, they draw substantial inspiration from authentic Polynesian myths and occurrences.
Moana 2
is now playing in theaters.
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2024-12-08 02:31