Mālama

Definition

Mālama is a Hawaiian term that means to care for, protect, or preserve something, especially in relation to the land and environment. It embodies the concept of stewardship and responsibility, emphasizing the importance of nurturing and maintaining natural resources and cultural heritage. This idea of mālama reflects deep connections to identity, community, and the environment in Hawaiian culture, showcasing how the values of caring for people and places are essential to a sustainable way of life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mālama is not just about physical care; it also involves a spiritual connection to the land and community, acknowledging that all things are interconnected.
2. In Hawaiian traditions, mālama is a guiding principle that informs practices like fishing, farming, and gathering resources sustainably to ensure future generations can also benefit from them.
3. Mālama emphasizes collective responsibility, meaning that everyone in the community plays a role in caring for shared resources.
4. The concept is reflected in various cultural practices such as mālama ʻāina (caring for the land) and mālama keiki (caring for children), showing its broad application across different aspects of life.
5. Mālama has been revitalized in modern conservation efforts, linking traditional practices with contemporary environmental stewardship initiatives.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of mālama influence community responsibilities in Hawaiian culture?
  • Mālama strongly influences community responsibilities by promoting a sense of collective stewardship. In Hawaiian culture, it encourages individuals to actively participate in caring for their environment and cultural resources. This idea fosters a shared sense of obligation among community members to protect and preserve their surroundings, ensuring that both the land and community thrive for future generations.
• In what ways does mālama connect to other traditional Hawaiian values like Aloha ʻĀina and Kuleana?
  • Mālama is intricately connected to other traditional Hawaiian values such as Aloha ʻĀina and Kuleana. Aloha ʻĀina emphasizes love for the land, while Kuleana highlights personal responsibilities toward both people and places. Together with mālama, these values create a holistic framework for understanding how individuals relate to their environment, reinforcing that caring for the land is intertwined with cultural identity and social responsibilities.
• Evaluate the role of mālama in modern Hawaiian conservation efforts and its implications for cultural identity.
  • Mālama plays a crucial role in modern Hawaiian conservation efforts by bridging traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary sustainability practices. Its application helps preserve not only the physical environment but also cultural identity by maintaining connections to ancestral practices. The revitalization of mālama within conservation initiatives underscores its importance in fostering resilience among communities while affirming a distinct Hawaiian identity rooted in stewardship of both land and heritage.

Related terms

Aloha ʻĀina: Aloha ʻĀina translates to 'love of the land' and signifies a deep respect and responsibility for the environment, reflecting an intrinsic connection between people and their surroundings.

Kuleana: Kuleana refers to one's responsibility or privilege; it encompasses both rights and obligations, emphasizing the importance of taking care of one’s land and community.

Ohana: Ohana means family in Hawaiian culture, extending beyond blood relations to include friends and community members, stressing the importance of care and support within a larger familial context.