Oceanic Mythology

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Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Oceanic Mythology

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Roland B. Dixon's classic anthropological study offers a comprehensive outline of Oceanic mythology, tracing creation stories, culture heroes, and folklore across Polynesia, Melanesia, Indonesia, Micronesia, and Australia. This early 20th-century work explores the complex ethnic history of the region, analyzing how mythic systems evolved through migration and cultural contact, providing essential context for understanding Pacific Island traditions.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1916, Roland B. Dixon's 'Oceanic Mythology' presents a sweeping survey of the mythological traditions of Oceania, dividing the vast region into five distinct sections: Polynesia, Melanesia, Indonesia, Micronesia, and Australia. Dixon, a scholar from Harvard University, aims to gather all available materials to discuss the relationships between these diverse mythologies and their origins in the Asiatic mainland. The book begins by defining Oceania broadly to include the great island-continent of Australia and its appendage, Tasmania, alongside the smaller islands of the Pacific. Dixon notes the unique nature of this region, composed almost entirely of islands ranging from tiny coral atolls to massive landmasses like New Zealand and Borneo, featuring environments from tropical jungles to snowy alpine peaks. The author meticulously details the varied native peoples, contrasting the physical and cultural characteristics of groups like the Polynesians and Malays with earlier inhabitants such as the Tasmanians and New Guinea pygmies. He addresses the complex ethnic history of the area, describing it as a result of successive waves of migration from the west that modified earlier populations. A central theme is the distinction between different mythological strata. In Melanesia, for instance, Dixon identifies a 'Papuan' type characterized by a lack of cosmogonic myths and a focus on ghosts, contrasted with a more evolved 'Melanesian' stratum featuring cosmogony and dualistic tales of wise and foolish culture hero brothers. He argues that the Melanesian type shows significant relationships with Indonesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia, whereas the Papuan type is more isolated. In the Indonesian section, Dixon notes the complexity arising from the presence of Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Semitic, and Hindu influences. He observes that while Negrito myths are largely inaccessible, the Indonesian and Malay populations display myths influenced by southern Asian cultures and later Islamic elements, though the book focuses on local aboriginal tales. Specific myths of origins and the deluge are highlighted, such as the story of the sky-deity's son organizing the world or the tale of three brothers descending from the sky-world to become ancestors of mankind. In Australia, Dixon finds a sharp division between the central and northern portions, which exhibit unique totem ancestor tales and a lack of cosmogony resembling the Papuan type, and the southern and eastern portions, which show closer affiliation with Melanesia through themes like the swan-maiden and abundant animal stories. Dixon concludes by summarizing the historical development of Oceanic mythology as a series of drifts and transmissions. He hypothesizes that the oldest strata, such as those of Tasmania and the Negritos, are lost or unknown. The Papuan type follows, succeeded in Indonesia by an Indonesian layer with wide affiliations to Southeast Asia. He traces the migration of Indonesian peoples eastward, noting a long halt in eastern Melanesia where a blend of Indonesian and Papuan elements likely created the strict definition of 'Melanesians.' A second wave of movement brought later Polynesian ancestors to Hawaii and New Zealand, while Hindu elements penetrated Sumatra and Java. Finally, Muhammadan influence spread through Indonesia. Dixon emphasizes that while similarities in...

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