Magicians of Manumanua - by Michael W Young (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Magicians of Manumanua: Living Myth in Kalauna takes readers on a profound journey into the rich cultural and political life of Kalauna, a village on Goodenough Island, now often referred to by its traditional name, Nidula. The narrative begins with the author's first encounter with the village in 1966, capturing the striking physical and social landscape that sets Kalauna apart. Through the lens of leadership and mythology, the book unfolds the intricate interplay of personal identity, lineage, and communal rituals, focusing on the pivotal concept of manumanua--the ritual practice of anchoring prosperity and banishing famine. The exploration is deeply rooted in Kalauna's myths, legends, and biographical accounts of key figures like Iyahalina and his peers, who use these narratives to assert social authority and lineage legitimacy.

Structured as a sequence of overlapping life stories, the book connects mythological origins to contemporary political struggles, emphasizing the enduring significance of Kalauna's mythology in shaping leadership and community identity. Chapters delve into individual and collective biographies, starting with the sun god Honoyeta and moving through historical figures such as the despotic Malaveyoyo and modern leaders like Iyahalina. The study highlights the myths' dual role as validation for ritual practices and as a framework for personal and communal identity. Ultimately, the book reveals a "serpentine" historical pattern, where mythology, leadership, and political ideology interweave to sustain Kalauna's cultural heritage, providing a nuanced perspective on the lived experience of myths in a Melanesian community.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1983.