Item Detail
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24590
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0
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0
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English
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The Saints Church and Cultural Change in French Polynesia : An Examination of The Effects of Attitudes, Imposed Strategies and Indigenous Strategies in the Development of a French Polynesian Church
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Auckland, New Zealand
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University of Auckland
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Master's thesis
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"This thesis is an examination of the effects of imposed and indigenous attitudes and policies in the growth and development of the Saints Church in French Polynesia. Historical developments before and after the establishment of the Saints Church in 1844 are charted. A great deal of attention is given to early missionary attitudes and policies and the reactions of the Polynesians to these imposed strategies. The thesis examines pre-missionary and post-missionary factors in the areas of ideology and expressive (symbolic) activities and two of these (music and dancing) are examined as 'moral issues' to illustrate missionary attitudes and indigenous responses. Aspects of governance are also examined and the conclusion reached is that a number of pre-missionary aspects of governance have continued in the Saints Church ideology in modified form. The Saints Church has also provided a new hierarchy of status in matters of governance, dominated by the lay priesthood. In summary, the evidence presented shows that the Saints Church in French Polynesia may be referred as being neither truly Polynesia nor truly Western. A new ideology, drawing from both imposed and indigenous influences has been establish, although the present policies of the Saints Church are designed to encourage indigenization." [Author's abstract]