Society Islands

A major archipelago in eastern Polynesia in the central South Pacific, divided into the Windward (Tahiti and Moorea) and Leeward (Raiatea, Huahine, Borabora, Tahaa, Maupiti). The islands were settled around 500 AD by Polynesians who developed a number of chiefdoms. The islands were first recorded by Europeans after 1767, when they were claimed for Britain by Captain Samuel Wallis. Important early sites include the Maupiti Burial Ground and the site of Vaito'Otia on Huahine, and later sites are mainly complexes of Marae. The island of Raiatea was regarded as a source of religion and ritual by eastern Polynesians, but by European contact this island had fallen under the control of the neighboring smaller island of Borabora.

A major archipelago in eastern Polynesia, with two geographical sub-groups: Windward (Tahiti and Moorea) and Leeward (Raiatea, Huahine, Borabora, Tahaa, Maupiti). The islands were settled around ad 500 by Polynesians who developed a group of colourful chiefdoms, first recorded by Europeans after 1767. Important early sites include the Maupiti burial ground and the site of Vaito otia on Huahine, and later sites are mainly complexes of marae and house pavements {see Opunohu, Maeva, Mahaiatea). The island of Raiatea was regarded as a source of religion and ritual by eastern Polynesians for centuries (sccTaputa-puatea), but by European contact this island had fallen under the control of the neighbouring smaller island of Borabora.