Book

Tales from Ulithi Atoll: a comparative study in oceanic folklore

University of California PressBerkeley • Published In 1961 • Pages: x, 493

By: Lessa, William Armand.

Abstract
The first part of this study consists of a collection of previously unpublished myths and folktales from Ulithi Atoll in the West Caroline Islands, and how this folklore is related to the technology, social and political organization, religion, and values of the people. Lessa then presents a generalized discussion on the various motifs and themes present in Ulithian folktales which appear elsewhere in Oceania (e.g., Malaysia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, Australia, and even Madagascar) for which there is comparative data. From the analysis of this comparative material the author contends '…that Ulithian culture is a conglomerate with not too distinctive a character. The folktales clearly indicate this; they are anything but unique. For the most part they constitute an amalgam of stories and motifs from far-flung areas' (p. 20).
Subjects
Comparative evidence
Verbal arts
Mythology
Spirits and gods
Texts in the speaker's language
Texts translated into english
culture
Ulithi
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Micronesia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2006
Field Date
1947-1949
Coverage Date
1900-1949
Coverage Place
Ulithi, Federated States of Micronesia
Notes
William A. Lessa
Includes bibliographical references (p. 465-493)
LCCN
61063844
LCSH
Tales--Micronesia/Ulithi (Micronesia)