Tupaia (navigator)

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/tupaia--navigator-

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Tupaia (navigator) born?Circa 1725
2. Where was Tupaia (navigator) born?Ra'iatea, Society Islands (part of modern French Polynesia)
3. What is Tupaia (navigator) known for?Guided Cook's expedition to New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia
4. When did Tupaia (navigator) die?December 20, 1770, in Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) from a shipborne illness
5. What is the primary role?Polynesian navigator and arioi (priest/cultural figure)
6. Who was Tupaia and why was he important?Tupaia was a Tahitian navigator from Ra'iatea who could read the stars, waves, birds, and clouds to find his way across the Pacific. His skills helped Captain Cook travel safely to New Zealand and Australia.

Polynesian Wayfinding: An ancient and sophisticated system of navigation used by Pacific Islanders, relying on stars, ocean currents, and environmental cues.
Arioi Society: A prominent religious and social organization in pre-colonial Polynesia, known for its rituals, performances, and influence.
Celestial Navigation: The practice of determining one's position by observing the stars, sun, and moon.
Age of Exploration: A historical period, roughly from the 15th to the 17th century, when European ships traveled around the world to discover new routes and lands.