Polynéský

Polynéský refers to a person, culture, or language originating from Polynesia, a vast subregion of Oceania comprising many islands scattered across the Pacific Ocean. The term "Polynesia" itself means "many islands" in Greek. These islands are roughly centered around the vast expanse of the Pacific and form a triangle with the points of Hawaii in the north, Easter Island in the southeast, and New Zealand in the southwest.

Polynesian cultures share many common characteristics, including a rich oral tradition, intricate navigation techniques, distinctive artistic styles in carving and tattooing, and complex social structures. Their languages belong to the Austronesian language family, with many similarities evident across the various Polynesian tongues, indicating a shared ancestry. Historically, Polynesians were renowned seafarers, undertaking long voyages in sophisticated outrigger canoes, colonizing a vast area of the Pacific. Traditional Polynesian societies often had hierarchical structures with chiefs and distinct social classes. Music, dance, and storytelling are integral parts of Polynesian cultural expression. Contemporary Polynesian populations live in their ancestral homelands, as well as in diaspora communities around the world, and actively work to preserve and promote their cultural heritage.