Narratives of Nation in the South Pacific

by Nicholas Thomas, Ton Otto (Editor)

Overview

It is striking that in many Pacific nations, 'national' narratives are subordinate to other fundamental historical imaginings, such as those concerning local political dynasties and conversion to Christianity. While leaders in Pacific states have frequently sought to legitimate new nations through local 'tradition' and 'custom', these constructions of identity frequently mask divisions arising from gender, hierarchy, and other social relationships. These studies from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Samoa and the Cook Islands add much to our knowledge of historical imaginings and contemporary culture in the Pacific, but raise wider questions concerning the current transformation of national identities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781135299477
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/27/2005
Series:	Studies in Anthropology and History
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	245
File size:	917 KB

About the Author

Otto Ton, Nicholas Thomas

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION Narratives of Nation in the South Pacific ONE The Tyranny of Tradition: Critical Reflections on Nationalist Narratives in the South Pacific TWO After the Tidal Wave’: Bernard Narokobi and the Creation of a Melanesian Way THREE Imagining the State, or Tribalism and the Arts of Memory in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea FOUR Commemorating Missionary Heroes: Local Christianity and Narratives of Nationalism FIVE Woman-Nation-State in Vanuatu: Women as Signs and Subjects in the Discourses of Kastom, Modernity and Christianity, SIX Nation or Destination? Cook Islands Nationalism since 1965, SEVEN ‘Mornings of the Country’: Centering the Nation in Samoan Historical Discourse, EPILOGUE Nations’ Endings: From Citizenship to Shopping?