Tapu (or tabu) is a concept existing in many Polynesian societies, including traditional Māori, Samoan and Tongan cultures. It reflects something that is holy or sacred, as "spiritual restriction" or "implied prohibition"; it involves rules and prohibitions. The English word "taboo" derives from this usage, and was adopted by Captain James Cook during his visit to Tonga in 1777. The cognate word in the Hawaiian language culture is kapu. The Rotuman term for the concept is "ha'a"

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