Vā Atoa and the Ever-moving-present in the Samoan Cosmogony Solo o le Vā
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Refiti, Albert L
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Chapter in Book
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ANU Press
Abstract
[From Chapter 1] The Samoan cosmogony is consistent in the direction of how matter unfolds in the universe. As this chapter aims to show, life unfolds between two states: mavae, the divaricating process of creation, and tōfiga, folding together and keeping things in order. A spatial exposition and diagrammatic outline of the cosmogony reveals the cosmic emplacement of the human, the emanation and spatial qualities of mana, and the genealogy of matter connected to Papa.Description
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In: Vā Moana: Space and Relationality in Pacific Thought and Identity. Edited by Albert L. Refiti, A.-Chr. Engels-Schwarzpaul, Lana Lopesi, Billie Lythberg, Arielle Walker & Emily Parr. ISBN (print): 9781760467234 ISBN (online): 9781760467241 Chapter 1.
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This is the Author's Accepted Manuscript of Chapter 1 of "Vā Moana". Text copyright © Albert L. Refiti. Design and typography copyright © ANU Press, 2026. Available to download for free at press.anu.edu.au