Taonga: Treasures of the Peoples of Oceania

This French-language book draws its title from the word taonga, which is what the Maori people of New Zealand call their treasures.

In every community in Oceania, certain treasures embody the mana force of gods and ancestors: ritual masks, finery for celebrations, tatooes on the body and skull, everyday objects. During your journey through islands and archipelagos, every work of art will take you into a secret world of customs and traditions. But you should know that their mysteries will not be completely revealed to you, since they belong to the spirit world. Travel, your eyes wide open, into the heart of the art of Oceania.

This journey will lead the reader to Australia, Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. Each section begins with a double page containing a general introduction and ten or so images of objects that are representative of the area. Then, over three or four double pages, one work is studied in depth for each section. The reader will discover the raw materials used, the object's function and its role in society.
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