Samoa a Hundred Years Ago and Long Before, George Turner's 1884 missionary ethnography from the London Missionary Society, is still cited as a primary source in current academic scholarship on Samoan eschatology for its account of the Pulotu myth, the ruler Saveasiuleo, and the entrance points at Falealupo. Its strength is that later peer-reviewed scholarship, including Buckova's 2011 study, continues to quote it at length as the primary record of these traditions. Its limit is that it is a nineteenth century missionary account, shaped by the observer's own outsider position, not a modern ethnography.
Facts
Assessment
Reliability Tier2
Tier two: a nineteenth century missionary ethnography still cited at length as a primary source in current peer reviewed scholarship on Samoan eschatology, including Buckova's 2011 study. Its limit is that it is shaped by a nineteenth century outsider observer's own position, not a modern ethnography. NotesNineteenth-century missionary ethnography of Samoa, still cited as a primary source in current academic scholarship on Samoan eschatology (quoted at length, pages 257-258, by Buckova, "A Comparison and Analysis of Eschatological Themes in Polynesian Mythology," Asian and African Studies, 2011) for the Pulotu myth: the ruler Saveasiuleo, human above and piscine below; the two Falealupo entrance points, one for chiefs and one for commoners; and the tree of Leosia the Watcher. Mythic geography, not ceremonial content.
Citation
AuthorGeorge Turner
PublisherLondon Missionary Society
Publication Year1884
Source Typeprimary ethnographic account
Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
London, Cities This source names London directly: "1884 missionary ethnography from the London Missionary Society, is still cited as a primary source in current academic scholarship on Samoan eschatology for its account of the Pulotu myth, the ruler..."
Claims Backed By This Source (10 claims)
This source backs 10 claims across the atlas. As facts: 8 well-attested. As cited relationships: 1 holds. Plus 1 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.
Disposition By Topic
- Sources, 8 claims: 7 well-attested, 1 holds.
- Articles, 1 claims: 1 well-attested.
- Realms, 1 claims: 1 general references.
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