Before revision: Painting, Death of Captain Cook by eyewitness John Webber The Sahlins–Obeyesekere debate is an academic controversy in anthropology about the death of the British explorer James Cook, particularly whether the native Hawaiians believed him to be Lono, a deity (or akua ) associated with fertility, agriculture, rainfall, music and peace.
After revision: Painting, Death of Captain Cook by eyewitness John Webber The Sahlins–Obeyesekere debate is an academic controversy in anthropology about the death of the British explorer James Cook, particularly whether the native Hawaiians believed him to be Lono, an akua "deity" associated with fertility, agriculture, rainfall, music and peace.