(AIUI, the common colloquial use of “taboo” is by no means the same as the phenomena that go by that name in Polynesian societies)
Indeed not. The English word “taboo” is from Fijian or Tongan, which I can’t speak to; but the Hawaiian cognate is “kapu” which means more or less “restricted” or “forbidden”.
It doesn’t mean something that can’t be discussed, or is shameful or unthinkable. It was typically used to refer to food prohibitions, structurally rather similar to kosher, halal, or for that matter hippie vegetarianism; but also for places that are off-limits to commoners, or are “private” to the chief or the gods (or someone else important) and not to be trespassed upon.
The English sense of “taboo” is a projection onto foreign cultures of a very Western notion of shame and the unspeakable. It reminds me of the expression “sacred cow”, which projects onto Hinduism the notion of an impractical but unquestionably revered thing, which is not at all what Hindus mean by protecting cattle.
Indeed not. The English word “taboo” is from Fijian or Tongan, which I can’t speak to; but the Hawaiian cognate is “kapu” which means more or less “restricted” or “forbidden”.
It doesn’t mean something that can’t be discussed, or is shameful or unthinkable. It was typically used to refer to food prohibitions, structurally rather similar to kosher, halal, or for that matter hippie vegetarianism; but also for places that are off-limits to commoners, or are “private” to the chief or the gods (or someone else important) and not to be trespassed upon.
The English sense of “taboo” is a projection onto foreign cultures of a very Western notion of shame and the unspeakable. It reminds me of the expression “sacred cow”, which projects onto Hinduism the notion of an impractical but unquestionably revered thing, which is not at all what Hindus mean by protecting cattle.