An Account of the Natives of the Tonga Islands in the South Pacific Ocean: With an Original Grammar and Vocabulary of their Language Compiled and ... M.D.

by Nigel Statham (editor), Ian C. Campbell (Editor)

John Martin (1789-1869) was a London-based, Edinburgh-educated physician interested in anthropological matters. This 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, one of the earliest European residents at a time before European influence disturbance or modification 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. Thanks to Martin’s intelligent engagement with Mariner resulted in a compelling narrative and a comprehensive account of Tongan society which 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.

Genres: Nonfiction

552 pages, Hardcover

Published December 22, 2022

Reviews

[Liyah]

Must read if you want to understand poly history, a first hand account of our people before it all changed.....

[Daniel Cradler]

Great story and fascinating record of Tongan culture

William Mariner’s account of living among the Tongans provides a wealth of information on their culture and customs as they existed prior to extensive European influence. The story of how he came to live there and his interactions with the Tongan people during a pivotal period in these island’s history is also quite compelling. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Pacific Island history and anthropology.

[Tom]

adventurous, 19th century pacificana