I hope that brutal process of disembowelment and removal of flesh was explained away by the Hawaiians as ahctually a very spiritual desecration of his body to preserve him as a saintly icon, when in reality they were just taking the piss and trying to make the europeo's shit in their paints.
A funny and good thing to picture, to be sure, but I also like the more serene idea that the Hawaiians were proving their lack of barbarism through this kind of respect, and by honoring his burial after they murdered him for desecrating a burial, they were making a point on their own terms.
I hope that brutal process of disembowelment and removal of flesh was explained away by the Hawaiians as ahctually a very spiritual desecration of his body to preserve him as a saintly icon, when in reality they were just taking the piss and trying to make the europeo's shit in their paints.
A funny and good thing to picture, to be sure, but I also like the more serene idea that the Hawaiians were proving their lack of barbarism through this kind of respect, and by honoring his burial after they murdered him for desecrating a burial, they were making a point on their own terms.
"This is how it's done, take notes."