tapu

Tapu, also spelled tabu, is a Polynesian concept meaning sacred or prohibited. In Māori and many other Polynesian cultures, tapu designates things, places, or people that are ritually restricted or set apart for special purposes.

Tapu imposes rules about who may touch, speak to, or approach the subject of tapu, what actions are permitted, and when. Violating tapu is believed to carry spiritual or social consequences and often requires ritual remedies to restore balance. The state of tapu can be temporary or permanent, and its observance is maintained through customary practices, kinship obligations, and ritual speech.

Noa is the opposite state, representing common or unrestricted use. The relationship between tapu and noa structures everyday life, ceremonies, and social interactions. The concept is dynamic and context-dependent, with different communities applying tapu in various ways to reflect obligations, hierarchy, and sacredness.

Tapu can apply to places such as burial grounds or marae, to objects or implements of special significance, and to individuals during certain rites or life stages. The concept has had a lasting influence on Pacific societies and has contributed to the English word taboo, which ultimately derives from tapu. In modern times, discussions of tapu appear in anthropology, cultural heritage, and discussions of ceremonial practices within Māori and other Polynesian communities.