article

The Paliau movement in Manus and the objectification of tradition

History and anthropology5 (3-4) • Published In 1992 • Pages: 427-454

By: Otto, Ton.

Abstract
This is the story of the conversion of the Manus to Christianity. Otto describes how it was almost an overnight phenomenon after an initial 15-year period of slow if negligible success. He explains the reason for this sudden change to an accumulation of events that finally tipped the balance in favor of the new religion. He is interested in the possible motives for mass conversion which are not discussed by missionaries, who instead attributed it to a miracle. Otto explains the conversion in terms of the Manus strong motivation for cultural experimentation which predisposes them to adopt enthusiastically a creed once it is seen as effective. In a similar vein, Otto also discusses a later anti-colonial movement reacting against social inequalities.
Subjects
Acculturation and culture contact
Religious denominations
Missions
culture
Manus
HRAF PubDate
2005
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Melanesia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 2004
Field Date
1986-1997
Coverage Date
1885-1990
Coverage Place
Manus Province, Papua New Guinea
Notes
Ton Otto
Includes bibliographical references (p. 453-454)
LCCN
86646963
LCSH
Manus (Papua New Guinea people)