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

This volume turns the scholarly gaze toward the far‑flung islands of the Pacific, where the Polynesian peoples once lived in complete isolation from the rest of the world. Drawing on the author's earlier lectures, it explores how these societies conceived of an afterlife and honored their dead, revealing a rich tapestry of rituals that persisted long before any European contact. The narrative places the Maori of New Zealand at the forefront, showing how their myths and burial customs reflect a deep‑seated belief in continuity beyond death.

The author blends careful field observations with linguistic and archaeological evidence, tracing the origins of Polynesian culture through its languages and ties to neighboring groups. By comparing the simpler structures of Polynesian speech with the more complex Melanesian tongues, he illustrates the gradual evolution of ideas about immortality across the islands. The result is a vivid, thought‑provoking portrait of a world where the sacred and the everyday are inseparably intertwined.