Dear Gary,
I appreciate your contacting me regarding the history/geography of
indigenous peoples in French Polynesia. Let me start by saying that this
particular region of the pacific is not my specialty. Nonetheless, I think
I can make a few helpful suggestions, as the history and geography of
colonization in the Pacific is a focal point of my own study, and I'm glad
someone has taken the time to ask for information on this subject.
There are some classic texts on the Pacific that would be worth
considering. I think in particular of Douglas Oliver's various books on
Native Cultures of the Pacific (one by that very title), including a
three-volume study on Tahitian society which I'm sure is fascinating.
"Where the Waves Fall" by Kerry Howe is another good text, though I'm not
sure how much of it deals with what is now French Polynesia. It is
nonetheless an insightful text on colonial forces in the Pacific Islands.
Stephen Henningham at the Australian National University has written a book
entitled "France in the South Pacific". I don't have an e-mail address for
him on hand, but can dig one up if you want. Another useful contact is
John Connell at the University of Sydney, who has contributed to two
studies on the French in the Pacific. He can be faxed at
(+61-2) 351-3644.
There are two particular articles on Tahiti that I think are a
must, in considering European understanding of Tahiti:
Pearson, W.H. (1969): "European Intimidation and the Myth of Tahiti"
Journal of Pacific History Vol. 4; pp. 199-217.
Dening, Greg (1986) "Possessing Tahiti" Archeology in Oceania Vol. 21,
no. 1; April: 103-118.
Finally, there are some new post-colonial writings on the Pacific
coming out, which unfortunately I have not read, but sound promising. The
description of one is included below.
"European Imagery and Colonial History in the Pacific"
Toon van Meijl and Paul van der Grijp, editors Breitenbach NLG 30, SwFr 25
"This volume examines European imagery of the Pacific within the context of
colonial history, and the implications for local identities by addressing
different issues ranging from the ambiguity of colonial discourses and the
various implications of the European bias of primary sources, to local
appropriations of global influences and the impact of visual
representations of the Pacific on documentary practices in Europe.
Contents: "Introduction" by Paul van der Grijp and Toon van Meijl; "Early
European Encounters with Tongans" by Paul van der Grijp; "The Maori as
Warrior: Ideological Implications of a Historical Image" by Toon van Meijl;
"Tahiti and the Early European Visitors" by Henri J.M. Claessen; "The
Politics of Distancing: European Missionaries and Samoan Pastors in
Northeast New Guinea" by Wolfgang Kempf; "Colonial Ethnography in the
Western Pacific: Colonial Texts and Contemporary Politics" by Jean Kommers;
"The Anthropologist as Artist: Malinowski's Trobriand Photographs" by
Terence Wright; "Recontextualization of a Consumer Good: The Ritual Use of
Johnson's Baby Powder in Melanesia" by John Liep.
Contact:
Dr Paul van der Grijp
Weezenhof 67-55
6536 BG Nijmegen
The Netherlands
Last but not least is our local expert, Grant McCall, here at UNSW.
He can be contacted at G.McCall@unsw.edu.au
I hope this is of some help. Please feel free to call on me again.
Yours sincerely,
Doug
==================================================
Doug Herman
Centre for South Pacific Studies
c/- Sociology
The University of New South Wales 2052
Australia
Telephone: (61-2) 385-1246
Fax (new #) (61-2) 313-7859
e-mail: <csps@unsw.edu.au>
==================================================