Honour, Mana, and Agency in Polynesian-European Conflict

Honour, Mana, and Agency in Polynesian-European Conflict
ISBN-10
0429676840
ISBN-13
9780429676840
Category
Social Science
Pages
252
Language
English
Published
2019-03-19
Publisher
Routledge
Author
Annette Wilkes

Description

Focusing on the era of "first encounters" in Polynesia, this book provides a fresh look at some of the early contacts between indigenous people and the captains and crew of European ships. The case studies chosen enable comparison of New Zealand Māori–European transactions with similar Pacific ones. The book examines the conflict situations that arose and the reasons for physical violence, highlighting the roles of honour, mana, and agency. Drawing on a range of archival materials, sailor and missionary journals, as well as indigenous narratives, Wilkes applies an analytical method typically used for examining much more recent conflict. She compares different ways of "seeing" and "knowing" the world and reflects on the reasons for poor decision-making amongst all the social actors involved. The evidence presented in the book strongly suggests that preventing violence – promoting and negotiating peace – happens most effectively when mana and honour are acknowledged between parties.

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