The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead, Volume 2 (of 3) / The Belief Among the Polynesians

Name: The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead, Volume 2 (of 3) / The Belief Among the Polynesians
Author: James George Frazer

By James George Frazer

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Archaeology & Anthropology Religion/Spirituality

About This Book

A comparative study surveys Polynesian conceptions of the soul and practices surrounding death across island societies such as the Maoris, Tongans, Samoans, Hervey Islanders, Society Islanders, Marquesans, and Hawaiians. It describes cosmologies, gods, priests, temples, taboos, and the role of ancestral spirits, and traces ritual forms of burial, mourning, and the worship of the dead. The author examines archaeological features like tombs and megaliths and records funeral rites and sacrificial customs. Attention is given to how social rank, kinship, and religious institutions shape beliefs about immortality and the ethical effects of those beliefs on community life.

About the Author

James George Frazer

James George Frazer was a Scottish social anthropologist and folklorist, best known for his seminal work, "The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion." This extensive study explores the connections between mythology, religion, and magic across various cultures, influencing the fields of anthropology and religious studies. Frazer's scholarship delves into themes such as the belief in immortality and the worship of the dead, as seen in his works like "The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead." His contributions have left a lasting impact on the understanding of cultural practices and the evolution of human thought.