Editing Queequeg (section)

== Familial and cultural history ==
Queequeg is native to the fictional island of Kokovoko (also known as Rokovoko), an "island far away to the West and South",<ref name=":0" /> or more specifically in the [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific Ocean]]. He was the son of High Chief, King as well various other well-respected individuals of his community. Queequeg's culture is referenced to be cannibalistic. The narration of the book makes it clear that cannibalism was not universally accepted at this time.

In the novel, Queequeg is described as having an "ambitious soul" who had a strong "desire to visit Christendom".<ref name=":0" /> Queequeg left home when he snuck onto a Sag Harbor ship that was passing by his father's land. At first rejected by the whaler that landed on his island, he skillfully jumped from a canoe and clamped to the side of the boat as it was leaving for the open sea, at which point the captain relented.<ref name=":0" /> He was trained as a whaleman during this time and continued in this profession going forward.

Despite his interest in "Christendom", Queequeg practiced a pagan religion. Queequeg practices a form of [[animism]] using a small idol named Yojo, for whom he builds small ceremonial fires. As part of his religion, he practices a prolonged period of fasting and silence (which Ishmael calls his "[[Ramadan]]").<ref name=":0" /> In chapter seventeen, Queequeg locks himself in his room in Nantucket to keep his fast and silence. Even after Ishmael enters the room, Queequeg is unbothered and does not acknowledge Ishmael's presence.<ref name=":0" />