South Sea Islander in London

From the series Hidden Treasures – Inside the National Library of Australia
The National Library of Australia is the country’s largest reference library with over nine million items in its collection, including a surprising number of art works. In a new series of Hidden Treasures, Betty Churcher presents an insider’s guide to some of the little known and rarely displayed art treasures held by the National Library. From her unique vantage point, Churcher makes intriguing historical connections between paintings and engravings, photography, manuscripts and artefacts, illustrated journals and diaries. These are fascinating tales about the creative process and the works themselves that offer a tantalising insight into Australia’s culture and heritage.

A Film Australia National Interest Program in association with Early Works. Produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. With special thanks to the National Library of Australia.

This Digital Resource can be used to achieve the following Outcomes:

• P1 describes the interaction between persons, societies, cultures and environments across time
• P3 describes cultural diversity and commonality within societies and cultures
• P6 differentiates between, and applies, the methodologies of social and cultural research
• P7 applies appropriate language and concepts associated with society and culture
• P10 communicates information, ideas and issues using appropriate written, oral and graphic forms.

The key concepts to be integrated across The Social and Cultural World such as: Socialisation, Acculturation, Change, Continuity, Micro World and so forth – fit well with this study.

This material is an extract. Teachers and students should consult the Board of Studies website for more information.

A young Tahitian warrior named Omai enlisted as a crew member during Captain James Cook’s second circumnavigation of the world. On his arrival in London in 1774 he was welcomed into the highest social circles. England’s most sought-after 18th century painter, Sir Joshua Reynolds, painted his portrait in 1774, for which a rare sketch is held in the National Library collection. While Omai eventually returned to the islands, his story inspired a spectacular pantomime at Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. With costumes designed by Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg, the pantomime brought ethnographic realism to a somewhat farcical plot.

1. The visit of Omai was a sensation in late 18th century Britain.
   1. Why would a visit by a person from another place arouse such interest?
   2. Can you suggest a comparable visit or visitor that might cause a similar sensation in our society today?
2. An idea that was current during the time was that of the ‘Noble Savage’—people who were deeply in touch with nature, and who lived rich, fulfilling but perfectly natural lives.
   1. How might Omai have seemed to be an example of this idea?
   2. The ‘Noble Savage’ idea in fact did not take into account the complexity of the society that Omai had come from. What elements of this complexity can we see from this segment?
   3. Was Omai exploited or did he exploit the situation? Explain the reasons for your answer.
3. Omai can be seen as representing some of the benefits and problems that came with culture contact between two different groups. Explain how Omai might have benefited, and how he might have suffered, from his attempts to live in two worlds.
4. Summarise in just one or two sentences why this item is a ‘treasure’ in our knowledge and understanding of aspects of Australian history.

For more on Omai and Captain Cook go to The National Library of Australia