book chapter
The islands and their inhabitants
fiji and the fijians by thomas williams and james calvert • New York • Published In 1860 • Pages: x, 209
By: Williams, Thomas.
Abstract
This book describes aspects of Fijian culture and society during the rise of Bau as the dominant political center of Fiji, with considerable perspective on politics and events beyond the Bau chiefdom. There was a simultaneous increase in missionary activity, culminating in the conversion of Bau’s reigning chief to Christianity in 1854, immediately following the residence of the author on other islands where he frequently witnessed visits by chiefs from around the archipelago. The author also traveled extensively, closely observing the drama of daily life and organized ceremonials held on different islands. The result is a rich account of not just the observed aspects of community life and court politics, but also the moralistic and religious logic of controversial practices such as cannibalism and widow-strangling.
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Polynesia
- Document Type
- book chapter
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Missionary
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi Abate Adem
- Field Date
- 1840-1853
- Coverage Date
- 1840-1853
- Coverage Place
- Fiji
- Notes
- By Thomas Williams
- LCCN
- 05014486
- LCSH
- Fijians