Name/TitleOmai, a native of Ulaietea

About this objectM’ai (c.1751-1780), known as Omai in Britain, was a young man from Ra’iatea in the Society Islands, who as a boy fled Ra’iatea for Huahine when it was attacked by people from the neighbouring island of Bora Bora. In 1774 Omai volunteered to sail to England with James Cook on his second voyage. On board the ship ADVENTURE, Omai was tutored in English language and manners by the ship’s second lieutenant, James Burney, who described him as being ‘possessed of many great qualities’.

In London, Joseph Banks installed Omai in his London residence and introduced him to such eminent figures as Samuel Jackson and Burney’s sister, Fanny, the novelist and diarist. Omai’s bearing and social skills made him a great success and he was embraced by London society as an embodiment of popular notions of the charm and sensuality of the ‘Noble Savage’ of the South Seas.

Richard Holmes remarks that Omai’s idiosyncratic behaviour and distinctive bow were widely celebrated. Indeed, during one famed meeting with King George III at Kew, Omai is said to have delivered his bow then grasped the King’s hand, declaring, “How do, King Tosh”! Omai also sat for his portrait by artists including Sir Joshua Reynolds and Nathaniel Dance, the painter of the original image of Omai, from which this print was made.

For Omai, however, the London sojourn had a clear political agenda: to seek British support and firearms for a war by which he hoped to reclaim Ra’iatea from its invaders. Supplied with muskets and gunpowder among other items, Omai sailed home with Cook on his third voyage in 1776.

Fearing bloodshed should Omai return to Ra’iatea, Cook settled him on Huahine in August 1777 with a European-style house, furniture, vineyard and two Maori boys as his servants. During the Bounty’s visit to Tahiti in 1789, Captain Bligh was told Omai had died about two and a half years after Cook’s departure in 1777. It is believed by some that Cook did not actually want to embark on the third voyage that led to his death, but in large part felt a duty to Omai to return him to his homeland.

MakerNathaniel Dance (later Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland) - Artist

Maker RoleArtist

Date Made1774

Period18th century

Place MadeLondon, United Kingdom

Medium and MaterialsPaper and ink.

TechniqueEtching

TechniqueStipple engraving

Measurements544mm x 330mm

Object TypePrinted Material

Copyright LicenceAttribution - Non-commercial - No Derivatives (cc)