Little Ali’i

Materials: Epoxy clay & acrylic paint

Dimensions: 6” x 4 ½” x 12”

33hrs

In ancient Hawaiian society, the aliʻi were a social class or caste that consisted of the higher and lesser chiefs of the various levels on the islands. The noho aliʻi were the hereditary line of rulers who were believed to be descended from the deities. They governed with divine power called mana, which was derived from the spiritual energy of their ancestors.

The word aliʻi has a similar meaning in the Samoan language and other Polynesian languages, and in Māori it is pronounced "ariki."

There were eleven classes of aliʻi, of both men and women. These included the kahuna (priestesses and priests, experts, craftsmen, and canoe makers) as part of four professions practiced by the nobility.

Each island had its own aliʻi nui, who governed their individual systems. The Hawaiian monarchy continued to play a role in the governance of the Hawaiian islands until 1893, when Queen Liliʻuokalani was overthrown by a coup d'état backed by the United States government.

Aliʻi nui were ruling chiefs (in Hawaiian, nui means grand, great, or supreme). The nui title could only be passed on by right of birth.