E-Book Overview
This study surveys systematically the full scope of Melanesian religion, from traditional beliefs and practices to the development of strong indigenous Christian churches and theology. Garry Trompf writes from extensive knowledge of the social and religious aspects and from his own experience living and working in Papua New Guinea. Melanesian Religion provides an invaluable guide and analysis to pressing issues of religious and social change in the Pacific. It provides a useful overview for readers with general interests in the South Pacific region, and in the formulation of indigenous responses to external institutions, beliefs and value systems. The Melanesian peoples of the south-west Pacific form about one-quarter of the world's cultures - cultures in which a deep sense of spiritual consciousness has engendered rich diversity of religious experience. Professor Trompf argues that, to be complete, any interpretation of the social and economic patterns of Melanesian life, past and present, must take proper account of this religious context.
E-Book Content
MELANESIAN »»»») RELIGION
by the same author
Friedrich Max Muller as a Theorist of Comparative Religion Shakuntala The I dea ofHistorical Recurrence (vol 1) University of California Press InSearch of Origins Sterling as editor
Prophets ofMelanesia: Six Essays Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies & Institute of Pacific Studies New Religious Movements in Melanesia (with C. E. L. Loeliger) University of Papua New Guinea & Institute of Pacific Studies The Gospel is not Western: Black Theologies from the Southwest Pacific Orbis Cargo Cults and Millenarian Movements Mouton de Gruyter
ELANESIAN »»»»»» RELIGION «««««« G. W. Trompf
'----,
The right of the University of Cambridge to print and sell all manner of books was granted by Henry VIII in 1534. The University has printed and published continuously since 1584.
Cambridge University Press Cambridge New York Port Chester Melbourne
Sydney
PUBLISHED BY THE PRESS SYNDICATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 2RU, UK 40 West 20th Street, New York NY 10011-4211, USA 477 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia Ruiz de Alarcon 13, 28014 Madrid, Spain Dock House, The Waterfront, Cape Town 8001, South Africa http://www.cambridge.org © Cambridge University Press 1991 This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 1991 First paperback edition 2004
National Library of Australia cataloguing-in-publication data: Trompf, G. W. Melanesian religion. Includes index. ISBN 0 521 38306 4 hardback 1. Melanesia - Religion. 2. Christianity - Melanesia - History. 3. Cargo movement. I. Title. 299.92
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress cataloguing-in-publication data: Trompf, G. W. Melanesian religion. Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Melanesia - Religion. I. Title. BL2620. M4T76 1990 299' .92 90-2291 ISBN 0 521 38306 4 hardback ISBN 0 521 60748 5 paperback
CONTENTS List of plates List of maps and tables Preface
m
uu tx
PART 1 THE OLD TIME 1 2 3 4 5
Melanesian traditional religions: an overview Death and the after-life in traditional belief and practice The logic of retribution Magic, sorcery and healing Dream, vision and trance in traditional and changing Melanesia (with Remi Dembari)
7 34 51 78 105
PART 2 THE NEW TIME 6 7 8 9 10 11
The coming and the consequences of the missionaries The C