Safe on all sides, a photo from French Polynesia, Other

Photographer's Note

Old traditions die hard. French Jesuits priests worked hard in converting the natives of Caledonia to Catholicism. They succeeded... mostly. A statue, imported from France depicting Christ, was erected in this South Pacific Island — a veritable suburb of Paradise — but the old Tiki Gods were placed in a circle around the statue of Christ for double protection.

This phenomenon is an echo of the first encounter of the New World with the Old, of the Spanish Conquistadores with the natives of Central America. Certainly, a melding of cultures and religions took place. The descendants of the Toltecs, Maya, Olmecs, Mixtecs, Aztecs... and a score of others, all worshiping a pantheon of Gods, were converted by the sword. But centuries later, they sacrifice chicken and goats, instead of humans.

The archipelago known as New Caledonia was discovered by Captain Cook. The British explorer had been commissioned by the British Government to circumnavigate the world and to determine whether New Zealand was connected to a great southern landmass, or "Terra Australis." During the years 1772-1775, he was on his second voyage on the H.M.S. Resolution to the South Pacific. On that voyage, he charted the eastern coast of Australia, and in 1773 discovered a set of islands, he named "New Scotland" (renamed "New Caledonia" by French settlers). Six years after he discovered the islands, on his third visit to the Hawaiian Islands, Cook became embroiled with the natives, and, in defeat, was boiled in a cauldron.

I have a sincere apology for a colossal amateur mistake. I had leveled the water, 1° counterclockwise, but posted the wrong edition of the photo. It's tilted down on the right, in the direction of the south. The water is running off toward the South Pole.

ikeharel, Royaldevon, papagolf21, Fis2, holmertz, lucasgalodoido, jhm, worldcitizen, bukitgolfb301, jean113, abmdsudi, PaulVDV, PiotrF, macjake, LuisGustavoLima, maloutim has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Tue (92548) 2017-06-29 0:51

Hello Bulent,
Excellent photo of this religious site in the Pacific Ocean. It is a very interesting encounter between different religious beliefs, living peacefully next to each other here. The light was beautiful and the composition was superb, the ocean and palm trees also make a great background.
Lars

lousat (139362) 2017-06-29 1:23

Hi Bulent,a very interesting post showing us this monument dedicated to the first french people arrived and lived and dead in these island so far. A useful pic very sharp and bright as usual. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Royaldevon (85932) 2017-06-29 1:53

Hello Bulent,

Though I admire the bravery of such adventurers, the fact that they were so determined to squash the culture and believes of indigenous peoples makes me wonder whether they deserved to be boiled alive!
Your photograph says so much! The new God was revered but only by the protective permission of the established ones!
A fine photograph with good additional notes.

Have a great day,
Bev :-)

papagolf21 (152607) 2017-06-29 2:10

Bonjour, cher Bulent,
Vous avez un talent manifeste pour nous raconter des pйripйties historiques et les accompagner de photos descriptives adaptйes.
Merci pour cet historique йtonnant. Comme quoi, il n'est pas bon de vouloir faire du prosйlytisme !
Trиs bonne journйe.
Amitiйs.
Philippe

Fis2 (170945) 2017-06-29 2:22

Witaj Bulent!
Very curious place, view makes impression.
Good frame, colors and sharpness.
I like statue.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

holmertz (102846) 2017-06-29 2:33

Hello Bьlent,
An interesting case of different regions living side by side. Maybe the locals didn't convert to Christianity entirely voluntarily, or their new faith was not very strong. The gods of wood surrounding the Christ of stone make for a good photo anyway.
Actually it seems that New Caledonia is not part of French Polynesia.
Kind regards,
Gert

BennyV (34748) 2017-06-29 2:43

Hello Bulent

A fine picture telling an interesting story, together they make a great TE post. Always interesting to see how religions adapt and absorb in order to spread, or at least try to.

Benny

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2017-06-29 4:46

Olб Bulent,
curiosa essa cerca mesmo na estбtua, e gostei da nota, bem informativa. Belo dia nesse paraнso de lugar.
Parabйns e Abraзo,
Lucas

Sergiom (117241) 2017-06-29 5:33

Bonjour Bulent

Nous avons un peu la mкme chose dans le bas du fleuve au Quйbec. Des formes de bois qui semblent sortir du fleuve. Ici, elles entourent bien cette statue religieuse.

Amicalement

Serge

jhm (211736) 2017-06-29 6:24

Dear Bulent,

We see very clear the statue and the images around the statue.
Also a wonderful art picture.
An excellent composition lovely presentation too.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

worldcitizen (16108) 2017-06-29 14:58

Hello Bulent,
Very interesting view and note. It's a shame the priests couldn't simply respect the traditional culture and learn from it; modern culture would be a lot different in many parts of the world if they hadn't. The tikis are fascinating to look at, and the tropical view in the background is very attractive, too.

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2017-06-29 18:59

Hi dear Bulent

Very sacred and wonderful image in the best framework and comspoition. Under the difficult condition of strong sun shine, you managed expsoure so well.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

jemaflor (147300) 2017-06-30 23:29

Hi Bulent,
Interesting composition and pleasant view. Well framed this statue and all these wooden sculpture, pleasant with the blue sea in the BG, interesting cultural photo.

abmdsudi (95869) 2017-07-05 19:00

Hi Bulent
Your in-depth descriptions add so much to one's appreciation of the capture. Yeah, this most certainly is a fantastic paradise island; I love the deep blue colour, the pattern of the clouds and your composition with the eye catching statue protected by the old Gods in the foreground, just the right components to make it work, adding life, contrast and interaction. It's an eye popping shot and tfs, Congrats.
Best wishes

PaulVDV (63024) 2017-07-09 10:58

Hello Bьlent,
Hopefully the tropical warm water of French Polynesia won't make any icebergs melt at the South Pole. The ocean level may not rise.
This is a fantastic cultural and religious combination: the Christ figure surrounded by numerous wooden images of the gods from the time before the French arrived there.
A nice location by the sea.
You've composed this very well and the picture has very attractive natural colours.
The palm trees and the sea make a splendid backdrop.
Best regards, Paul

PiotrF (54882) 2017-07-09 15:35

Hello Bulent,
A very good picture telling an interesting story from French Polynesia.
I like very good composition here and nice colours.
Thank you for informative note.
Regards
Piotr

macjake (98486) 2017-07-09 20:52

Hi Bulent
this one caught my attention right away.
very interesting read, lets hope for Cooks sake he was already dead before being 'cooked', thats a not-so-good way to go.

I admire these world travellers back in the day, it must have been deadly to cruise the oceans in search for new lands, with disease etc...

what i don't approve of, is how religions were forced upon the natives, if you don't abide, you die or become our slave...that was Christopher Columbus's way of being. Why do they have to do that??????? I 100% don't agree with enforcing religion on people, doesn't matter if its hundreds of years ago or today.

very striking shot here, never seen this before on TE so there's alot to learn and lots to explore visually. wonderful history, and I hardly even notice the horizon level. lovely clouds and lighting. cheers
Craig

LuisGustavoLima (5184) 2017-07-14 8:30

Olб, Bulent!

O lugar da foto й muito interessante e foi muito bem capturado! Excelente enquadramento, luz e cores! A luz que reflete na estбtua prateada ficou legal. O fundo й muito bonito: a vegetaзгo й bonita e o mar tem uma linda cor! Parabйns!

gervaso (28177) 2017-07-19 5:34

Hello, Bulent!

The white structure contrasts beautifully with the blue of the sky and of the sea, and these stakes in the foreground help giving very good depth to the image! Wonderful composition! Well done!

mkamionka (74637) 2017-08-04 11:21

Hi Bulent,
I think it is true for Europeans as well: old religions were merged with the new one... Even the date for Christmas was selected after some old god celebration.
Beautiful presentation: a similar statue could be found anywhere in Europe but the setting is spectacular with the fence so unique as you wrote but also with perfectly placed palm trees and a breath taking view of the ocean in the distance. Even the sky has a lovely touch of photogenic clouds.
Excellent work,
M