Wikipedia

Oceanian literature

(Redirected from Oceanic literature)

Oceanian (Australasian, Melanesian, Micronesian, and Polynesian) literature developed in isolation from the rest of the world and in a unique geographical environment. This allowed the development of a unique literature to thrive. Oceanian literature was heavily influenced by religion and ritual. This can be seen by the large amount of religious symbolism featured in it.

Another major influence in Oceanian society was its intricate oral tradition. For a long time, most Oceanian literature was not written down. As a result, stock formulas and rhyming were used in many works (these traits made it easier to memorize). Gods, creation myths, and spirits are also prominent in Oceanian literature, showcasing again the influence oral tradition had on the literature of Oceania.

Modern Oceanian literature is mainly written in the English language but also feature different languages and speech. Literatures of Oceania particularly that of the Pacific have long been isolated from mainstream and traditional movements of literature in the West. The ocean carries a lot of symbolism and meaning to the cultures and people that have travelled through, in which largely has impacted the literary cultures and historical narratives in Oceania.[1]

List of countries and territories

edit

Prominent writers by country

edit
Main article: List of Oceanian writers

Australia

edit
Main article: List of Australian novelists

Fiji

edit

French Polynesia

edit

Kiribati

edit

Marshall Islands

edit

Micronesia, Federated States of

edit

Nauru

edit

New Zealand

edit
Main article: List of New Zealand writers

Palau

edit

Papua New Guinea

edit

Samoa

edit

Solomon Islands

edit

Tonga

edit

Tuvalu

edit

Vanuatu

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Finnegan, Orbell. South Pacific Oral Traditions. Indiana University Press. p. 15.

Citations

edit
  • 'Oceanic literature', Guiart, Jean in Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved on December 14, 2007.
  • Goetzfridt, Nicholas J. (1995). Indigenous Literature of Oceania: A Survey of Criticism and Interpretation, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.



 

This article about literature from a country or region is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oceanian_literature&oldid=1220189657"