The forgotten women who shaped the legacy of the Bounty mutineers
While the 1789 mutiny on the HMS Bounty is a staple of cinema and literature, the story of the 13 Polynesian women aboard the ship remains largely untold. This video explores the ancestral history of Pitcairn Island through the lens of traditional barkcloth.
Historian Dr. Pauline Reynolds looks beyond the nine British mutineers to uncover the history of the women of Hitiaurevareva. Through her research into tapa (barkcloth), she traces the lineage of her ancestors who travelled to Pitcairn Island.
The presentation examines the technical artistry of tapa making, including the use of barkcloth beaters and the creation of items like the tiputa poncho. By studying these physical legacies, Reynolds connects the material culture of the Pacific to the enduring story of the women who survived the voyage.
Source: Beyond the Mutiny on the Bounty, the founding of Pitcairn Island | Entangled histories
