Across Species and Cultures: Whales, Humans, and Pacific Worlds

The Pacific Ocean has been a significant meeting place between humans and whales, with a rich history of interactions. Across Species and Cultures: Whales, Humans, and Pacific Worlds explores the diverse whale histories in the Pacific, highlighting the contributions of Indigenous people to whaling, the industry's global reach, and its overlooked role as a global industrial slaughter in the twentieth century. The book also explores deep tensions between environmentalists, Indigenous peoples, and ideas and realities, and delves into the lives and histories of whales themselves, showcasing their perseverance and significance to human communities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2023
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

The Pacific Ocean has played a pivotal role in the intersection of human and whale cultures, spanning from the indigenous communities that thrived around these magnificent creatures to the European whalers who ventured into its waters during the nineteenth century and the emerging partnerships between humans and cetaceans in the late twentieth century. This intricate relationship has been a central thread in the history of the oceans, shaping the lives and beliefs of countless individuals and communities.

In "Across Species and Cultures: Whales, Humans, and Pacific Worlds," a groundbreaking collection of essays, scholars from across the Pacific offer a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the diverse histories of whales in the region. Through innovative methodologies, they shed light on previously hidden aspects of Pacific whaling, revealing the contributions of Indigenous people to the industry, its widespread impact, and its unexpected transformation into a global, industrial slaughter in the twentieth century.

While acknowledging striking continuities in whaling histories across the Pacific, the book also highlights deep tensions between environmentalists, Indigenous peoples, and regional differences. It delves into the lives and histories of whales themselves, showcasing their remarkable resilience and significance to human communities. Despite the devastating toll of commercial and industrial whaling, whales have survived for two centuries in the Pacific Ocean, serving as valuable commodities, cultural symbols, and sources of sustenance.

This book is a testament to the enduring power of human-cetacean relationships and the importance of understanding and respecting the diverse cultures and ecosystems that they inhabit. It provides a valuable contribution to the field of environmental history, anthropology, and marine studies, offering insights into the complex and multifaceted relationships between humans and the natural world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824892821