The Social and Political Systems of Central Polynesia: Volume 1

Originally published in 1924, this book forms part of a three-volume study on the socio-political systems of Polynesian islands near the equator.

Robert W. Williamson (Author)

9781107625822, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 November 2013

476 pages
24.4 x 17 x 2.4 cm, 0.75 kg

Robert Wood Williamson (1856–1932) was a British solicitor and anthropologist who worked extensively in New Guinea and Polynesia. Originally published in 1924, this book forms part of a three-volume study by Williamson on the socio-political systems of Polynesian islands near the equator. The study was written with the intention of consolidating the observations made in the extensive and various literature on the subject of Central Polynesian indigenous societies into a unified and accessible text. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Polynesia and the development of anthropology.

Bibliography and abbreviations
1. Origin and migrations
2. Political areas and systems (Samoa)
3. Some hypotheses as to the earliest history of Samoa
4. Political areas and systems (Tonga)
5. Political areas and systems (Society Islands)
6. Some possible early history of the Society Islands
7. Political areas and systems (Hervey Islands)
8. Political areas and systems (Marquesas)
9. Political areas and systems (Paumotu)
10. Political areas and systems (other western islands)
11. Political areas and systems (other eastern islands)
12. Political areas and systems (Melanesian islands)
13. Political areas and systems (observations).

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC]