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> It is apparently from Tongan or Fijian words, not Maori words. All of the Polynesian languages are closely related, to the extent that many of them are mutua
by duskwuff 5y ago
> It is apparently from Tongan or Fijian words, not Maori words.
All of the Polynesian languages are closely related, to the extent that many of them are mutually intelligible. A simple shift in phonology, like /p/ to /b/, isn't enough to render /tapu/ and /tabu/ different words. The connotations of those words may differ from one culture to another, but the basic concept is the same.
- KittenInABox 5y agoBut it is true that the word "taboo" came from a foreigner talking about Tongan peoples beliefs, which is important when the topic we're trying to talk about is Maori beliefs. Even if Maori and Tonga people are closely related in culture, they are not the same culture and Tonga people do not have the same co-sovereignity agreements over New Zealand that Maori do.