Tongan Myths and Tales

"Tongan Myths and Tales" is an essential collection of the oral traditions and legendary narratives belonging to the people of Tonga. Compiled by anthropologist Edward Winslow Gifford, this work serves as a primary record of the rich cultural heritage and cosmological beliefs of the Tongan archipelago. The book is meticulously organized into various sections, detailing origin myths, stories of the gods, and historical legends that define the societal structures and spiritual landscape of the islands.

Readers will find vivid accounts of the creation of the world, the adventures of the trickster Maui, and the complex genealogies of the Tongan royalty. These stories provide profound insight into the values, humor, and social hierarchies of the Polynesian people. By preserving these tales, the work offers scholars and enthusiasts of Pacific history a vital window into the indigenous perspective on nature, divinity, and the human condition.

As a foundational text in Oceanic studies, "Tongan Myths and Tales" remains a significant resource for understanding the continuity of Tongan identity and the enduring power of storytelling in the Pacific. It captures a vibrant world where the boundaries between the mundane and the supernatural are fluid, and where every landmark tells a story of the ancestors.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.