The people of the Pacific divide into three groups - The Melanesians, a dark skinned people with crinkly to waviy hair of New Guinea (Papua), Fiji, Soloman Islands, New Hebrides. The Micronesians, a light brown skinned people with wavy to straight hair that live in the small islands on the equator. The Polynesians, the fair to light brown skinned people with mostly straight hair of the outer Pacific Ocean islands - Hawaii, Easter Island, New Zealand.
Melanesia: Artistic creation is a normal part of everyday life. Every flat surface be it on a house, utensil, tool, weapon was decorated with carvings. Totems and figures of the supernatural and dead ancestors were awe inspiring images related to the cult of the dead. Also a note is the "Tapa" or bark cloth.
Micronesia: These Pacific islanders were cut off from intercourse with other peoples and were less imaginative and creative than the Melanesians. Decoration of bark cloth, woven and matted palm and vine, were highly developed crafts but do not constitute an art.
Polynesia: The Polynesians carved and decorated surfaces with a highly developed sense of order and design.