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(Article printed in Women' s Calendar -
March 2005)
Until the rise of Queen Kaahumanu, women in Hawaiian culture were bound by
the ancient kapu system that cast them as second class citizens.
While a chieftain's lineage gave her unquestioned social and political
influence, she was invisible and powerless when it came to the gods and the
Hawaiian religion.
Women were unable to take part in sacred rituals or formally worship and
therefore could not be recognized as leaders. It took a strong-willed and
determined woman to overthrow ancient customs and outdated rituals of the
Hawaiian patriarchal society. Looking back at Queen Kaahumanu we are
reminded of the heights of women’s potential. She is an example of what is
possible in our culture and around the world.
Queen Kaahumanu made great strides in
women’s rights as the favorite wife to Kamehameha the Great during the early
1800’s. Her father had been an avid supporter and counselor of Kamehameha
and it was believed that his daughter would have the same understanding of
the political sphere.
Kaahumanu was allowed to sit on the king’s council of advisors, something
that was unheard of at that time. After Kamehameha’s death in 1819 it was
revealed that distrusting the leadership of his son and heir, Liholiho, the
king had given Kaahumanu the rank of "kuhina nui" or prime minister.
She was the first Hawaiian women on equal political footing with a ruler,
and she used this to her advantage, working to end archaic customs of an
ancient religion.
Working with Liholiho’s mother Keopuolani, Kaahumanu used her influence to
break the rigid codes of the kapu system. Under these strict societal rules
every wrong step was punishable by death.
Some rules prohibited Hawaiians from owning land and forbid a commoner from
stepping in the high chief’s shadow or fishing during the wrong time of the
year.
But, it was women who were the most strongly effected, being governed by a
religion that wouldn’t let them participate. One of the most honored rules
prohibited men from sitting and eating with women.
As Liholiho took the throne as Kamehameha II, he was persuaded to make a
grand gesture towards abolishing the kapu system and sat and ate a meal with
Kaahumanu and the other high ranked women. When Hawaiians saw that Liholiho
had survived the gods wrath, the breaking of the kapu system was embraced.
Kaahumanu continued to rule with Liholiho until he went to England in 1823.
She was then appointed regent until Kamehameha III came of age.
While March is National Women’s History
Month, we take March 8th to celebrate the international woman. Queen
Kaahumanu is a great example of what female strength and power can
accomplish, but we must also look past the US and honor those who are making
a difference around the world.
Thanks for being readers!
Credits: Thanks for Radha Weaver for
doing the research.
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