Contenu du sommaire

Lexical ensembles concerning fauna and flora are still fairly well kept in Polynesia. A comparative list of names of Marquesan fish, the scientific names opposite, with names obtained from five Marquesan islands, is first presented. Then the Marquesan taxonomic system is analysed as a hierarchy on three levels, including names indicating size. The morphological, metonymic and metaphoric processes for forming the names of fish are listed. Finally, this first systematic work of dialectal geography which the comparative list represents is used to show the intermediary position of the dialect spoken at Ua Huka, and the rhythm of rapid transformation of the ichtyolexicon.

Complementing an anthropometric enquiry carried out in Maupiti — small island of the Society Islands — and in Tahiti, an evaluation of food consumption was implemented, based on a sample of Maupiti's population. The study shows that although the islanders of Mautipi consume imported food products, they partake of local traditional products to a large extent (Table I). The energy value of the diet and its nutrient composition covers or exceeds the theoretical needs of the adult (Table II) and there is a high level of proteins. These results are compared to various other evaluations of food consumption in French Polynesia (Table III). Certain anthropometric features due to food (weight, skinfolds) of Maupiti men and women, compared to those of Tahiti, can be put down to nutritional conditions, as well as the behaviour and different ways of life in the the two islands. In the past, the traditional diet must already have covered nutritional needs. This could explain some anthropological phenomena recently studied in Eastern Polynesia. For instance, in many parts of the world it has been established that there is a secular trend in height, which is considered partly due to improvement in food. This change in height has not come about among the Eastern Polynesians, probably because the right mesological conditions for attaining the maximum genetically-determined height had already been in place for a long time.

A temporary movement of Tuamotuan people back to their atoll of Takapoto was noted in 1975. This is seen as an example of reverse drift from the cities, as these people had been resident in Tahiti prior to their return, but with unemployment there and the economic possibilities of making copra and pearl shell money on their home atoll, life looked better on the atoll. A regular air service to and from Tahiti was an additional positive factor in this move. But this may be only a temporary or 'boom' period of increase in the atoll population, for the economic advantages may be short-lived.