Omai a Native of Ulaietea, Brought into …

Rare c.18th full length portrait of Omai (more correctly Mae or Mai) who was the young Raiatean (Society Islands) taken on Furneaux’s Adventure to England in 1774.

Omai was the embodiment of the ‘noble savage’ concept put forward by the influential French philosopher, Rousseau. He played an instrumental role as communicator between Cook and the natives of the Pacific Islands during the second and third voyages. His return was also one of the specific tasks contained in the Admiralty’s instructions for Cook’s third voyage.

He was a young man from Ra’iatea who gained fame as the first Pacific Islander to visit England and the second to travel to Europe. His journey followed that of Ahutoru, who had been brought to Paris by the French explorer Bougainville in 1768. Omai’s arrival in England marked a significant cultural encounter between Europe and the Pacific during the age of exploration.

During his two-year stay in England, Mai became a beloved figure within London high society. His charm, wit, and striking appearance quickly won over the aristocratic elite. Sir Joseph Banks frequently invited Mai to dine with members of the Royal Society and facilitated introductions to prominent figures such as Lord Sandwich, Dr. Samuel Johnson, Frances Burney, and Anna Seward. Mai’s unique mannerisms and his distinctive bow became widely celebrated.