article

Personal names as narrative in Fiji: politics of the Lauan onomasticon

Ethnology33 (1) • Published In 1994 • Pages: 21-34

By: Arno, Andrew.

Abstract
This is a detailed study of personal names and naming practices on Moce Island in Fiji's southern Lau group. Arno analyzes a sample of almost 1,500 personal names that he collected in the early 1970s and describes their meaning, derivation, and the social contexts in which they are applied. Arno observes that the Lauan names are often narrative snippets that commemorate not only people, but events and social relationships as well, and reflect personal everyday family histories, not just the doings of heroes and elites (p. 32).
Subjects
Personal names
Naming
culture
Lau Fijians
HRAF PubDate
1996
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Polynesia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1995
Field Date
early 1970s (p. 25)
Coverage Date
early 1970s
Coverage Place
Moce Island, southern Lau group, Fiji (p. 25)
Notes
Andrew Arno
Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-34)
LCCN
64005713
LCSH
Fijians