Bio: Madi Williams
Ngāti Kuia & Ngāti Koata. Madi is currently completing her PhD in History at the University of Canterbury. Her research focuses on South Island iwi histories and perceptions of the past in Aotearoa-New Zealand.
Her forthcoming publication, Polynesia 900-1600 (ARC-Humanities Press), examines these themes in the wider context of South Polynesia.
Title: Polynesia & the European Middle Ages
Polynesia and the Middle Ages may seem like an odd fit. But the Middle Ages are a European phenomenon surely? While this is true, much is lost by limiting our perspective to one continent. Europe is not the natural centre of the world even though it has been constructed as such, not least by historians.
This paper is based on my forthcoming publication Polynesia 900-1600. It is intended to provide a short, useful overview of the history of South Polynesia.
In this paper, the unique methodological approach and the challenges and benefits of various source material will be discussed as well as the key themes that emerged from conducting the research in this manner.
Image Caption: Wilhelm Dittmer, 1866-1909: Maui fishing New Zealand out of the ocean. [London, Routledge, 1907]. Ref: PUBL-0088-049. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand /records/22470770. Used with permission.
