Full Description
John Martin (1789-1869) was a London-based, Edinburgh-educated physician interested in anthropological matters. This comprehensive account of Tongan Society is his only book. He was inspired to write it by a chance encounter with its subject, William Mariner (1791-1853) who spent four years (1806-1810) in Tonga, in the South Pacific, at a time before any substantial European influence disturbed or modified that society. Mariner, an extraordinarily mature and perceptive youth, became thoroughly imbued with Tongan language and culture as the adopted son of the most powerful chief in Tonga. Martin's intelligent engagement with Mariner resulted in a compelling narrative and a comprehensive account of Tongan society which, together with the accompanying grammar and vocabulary, became a classic. Often celebrated as an extraordinary real-life adventure story, it is a pioneering work of anthropology, and for 200 years it has been a primary and authoritative source for research into Tongan history and culture.
Contents
List of Maps and Illustrations
Preface and Acknowledgements
A Note on Tongan Language and Orthography.
Selected Aspects of Tongan Culture
Who Was Who in An Account of the Natives of the Tonga Islands
Genealogical charts
Historical Introduction
A Note on Tongan Historical Sources AN ACCOUNT OF THE NATIVES OF THE TONGA ISLANDS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
Dedication to Sir Joseph Banks
Martin's Preface
Martin's Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23 Surgical Skill of the Tonga Islanders
Appendix : A Grammar and Vocabulary
Editor's Introduction to the Grammar and Vocabulary
A Grammar of the Tonga Language
A Vocabulary, Tonga and English
Bibliography
Index
