Mana of the Pacific: Wisdom from across Oceania
Authors:
Apisalome Movono & Regina Scheyvens
Publisher:
Potton & Burton
ISBN:
9781988550329
Date Published:
15 November 2021
Pages:
156
Format:
Hardback
RRP:
$49.99
Mana of the Pacific brings together inspirational proverbs and beautiful photographs that highlight the strength, resilience, wisdom and innovation of people from across the Pacific.
The book is compiled by Massey University academics, Apisalome Movono and Regina Scheyvens, whose work focuses on Pacific people, their livelihoods and wellbeing. When researching how communities dependent on tourism in the region had responded to the global pandemic, they discovered people had drawn on their culture and heritage to support each other.
“Examples abound of how people have returned to the land and sea to provide for their families, diversified their livelihood systems, shared more with their neighbours, worked communally for the common good, and supported the less fortunate,” say the authors, Movono and Scheyvens.
“Pacific people reported that they have felt rejuvenated while drawing on traditional values and practices. Our hope is that this book will further engender pride in Pacific cultures, and motivate young people seeking a positive direction in life.”
Movono and Scheyvens say that for too long Indigenous peoples of the Pacific have been made to feel that their culture is outdated, their traditions lack value, and that the only way they can develop is by drawing on external ideas and resources. Mana of the Pacific challenges that thinking and shows another way; one that is sustainable and resilient.
They see Mana of the Pacific as offering an important counterview; a collection of proverbs that highlight the value of Pacific people’s cultures, knowledge and ways of being, and a set of core values that underpin people’s ways of life across the region.
“We think this book is really valuable because it demonstrates the strengths of a wide range of Pacific cultures and knowledge systems,” say Movono and Scheyvens.
“It shows Pacific people to be resilient, hard-working, caring, family-oriented, grounded in their culture, and strongly attuned to the natural and spiritual worlds. We feel there are many things in here that might encourage children of the Pacific living in other countries like Australia and New Zealand, and also many proverbs that will inspire non-Pacific readers who are interested in the Pacific region and its peoples.”
The book includes photography and proverbs from Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tokelau, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Niue.
About the authors
Apisalome Movono (PhD) began his career at University of the South Pacific in Fiji and is now a senior lecturer at Massey University, where he continues his passion for the Pacific through research and promoting development that is fair, resilient and sustainable for future generations. He is the co-founder of the Laucala Beach Sustainability Society and is an active conservationist and community development advocate for his people in Fiji and the Pacific region.
Regina Scheyvens is Professor of Development Studies at Massey University, where she combines her enthusiasm for teaching about international development and sustainability with research focusing on tourism as a tool for development and community empowerment. She has been fortunate to conduct research in Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji on these issues, publishing several books. Regina also has a voluntary role with the NGO, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, which works closely with great partners across the Pacific on humanitarian and development issues.
Media Contact
APISALOME & REGINA ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW
IMAGES & EXTRACTS ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Gemma Finlay, Notable PR, 027 628 9695, gemma@notablepr.co.nz
