Description
Omai: Pacific Envoy (1977) is a landmark historical biography written by renowned New Zealand scholar and biographer Eric H. McCormick. Published jointly by Auckland University Press and Oxford University Press, the book provides a comprehensive study of Mai (known to Europeans as Omai), a young Ra’iatean commoner who became the first Polynesian to visit Great Britain.
Synopsis and Core Narrative
The biography follows the trajectory of Omai’s life, exploring the “two worlds”—Polynesian and European—that he straddled. Omai’s early life in the Society Islands was defined by trauma; displacement by warring tribesmen from Bora Bora sparked a lifelong desire for revenge and a determination to reclaim his family’s land. Seeking weapons and opportunities, he volunteered to travel to Europe.
The narrative traces his journey across several distinct phases:
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- The Accidental Voyage: In 1773, during Captain James Cook’s second Pacific expedition, Omai was taken on board the Adventure (commanded by Captain Tobias Furneaux) at Tahiti.
- The Toast of London: Arriving in England in July 1774, Omai was placed under the patronage of the wealthy naturalist Sir Joseph Banks. He became an overnight sensation, viewed through the lens of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s “noble savage” philosophy. McCormick describes how Omai was presented at the Royal Court to King George III, examined by scientists, and painted by master artists like Sir Joshua Reynolds.
- Adapting to High Society: The book tracks Omai’s surprisingly smooth assimilation into 18th-century aristocratic circles. He learned to play chess, master ice skating, and speak conversational English while developing a deep love for British theatre.
- The Return to the Pacific: In July 1776, after two years as a celebrity curiosity, Omai returned to the Pacific on Cook’s third and final voyage. Cook established an estate for him on the island of Huahine, leaving him with an assortment of European goods—including a suit of armour from the Tower of London, muskets, and a hand organ.
Key Themes and Historical Realities
McCormick avoids romanticising Omai’s journey, focusing instead on the cultural dissonance and tragic undercurrents of the historical experiment. The text explores how British high society patronised and manipulated Omai to validate imperialist ideals and scientific curiosity. The biography concludes with the bittersweet reality of Omai’s final years. Cut off from both the European high society he had grown accustomed to and somewhat alienated from his own people, Omai lived out his remaining days in a “middling station,” passing away around 1779.
Hardcover. First-Edition. 364 Pages. Good Condition. Damaged Dust Cover.
