article

Local narratives of a great transformation: conversion to Christianity in Manus, Papua New Guinea

Folk : journal of the Danish Ethnographic Society40 • Published In 1998 • Pages: 71-97

By: Otto, Ton.

Abstract
Otto has written a history of a famous Manus leader and prophet, Paliau Maloat (1910-1991), and the movement named after him, the Paliau Movement. The movement was a reaction to the inequities of colonialism, although Paliau began his public life by strongly critiquing his own culture. As a young man, Paliau worked for Chinese traders and later became a police officer. He organized a village fund to pay taxes and discouraged village leaders from engaging in inter-village hostilities. During the Second World War, The US Navy set up a base and offered wage work to the locals. The work experience away from their home villages and the tremendous wealth displayed by the US military made a big impression on the Manus. They felt betrayed by the missionaries who they thought had been holding out on them. One reaction was to form a new religion and after the war when the military left, to secure their own wealth through cargo-cult rituals.
Subjects
Acculturation and culture contact
Status, role, and prestige
Political movements
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
1986-1988
Coverage Date
1910-1991
Coverage Place
Manus Province, Papua New Guinea
Notes
Ton Otto
Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-97)
LCCN
61025545
LCSH
Manus (Papua New Guinea people)