:For the term, see
Palagi
Pālagi (pronounced – ''singular'' ) or papālagi (''plural'') is a term in Samoan culture of uncertain meaning, sometimes used to describe foreigners. Tent and Geraghty (2001) comment that the origin of the Western Polynesian ''Papālagi~Pāla ...
.
''The Papalagi'' (''Der Papalagi'') is a
book
A book is a medium for recording information in the form of writing or images, typically composed of many pages (made of papyrus, parchment, vellum, or paper) bound together and protected by a cover. The technical term for this physical arr ...
by published in Germany in 1920, which contains descriptions of European life, supposedly as seen through the eyes of a
Samoa
Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono Island, Manono an ...
n chief named Tuiavii. It is regarded as fictional by some, such as Gunter Senft (see his ''Weird Papalagi and a fake Samoan chief — A footnote to the Noble Savage Myth'').
In 1997 Canadian author Peter Cavelti adapted Scheurmann’s work to the English language audience, translating Chief Tuiavii’s speeches and presenting a comprehensive analysis of the history, culture and linguistic traditions of early 20th century
Samoa
Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono Island, Manono an ...
. Cavelti also researched the controversy surrounding Scheurmann’s work. His work was published by Legacy Editions, Toronto, under the title ''Tuiavii's Way: A South Sea Chief's Comments on Western Society'' (1997, 1999, 2007 and 2020). Legacy Editions, Toronto; Crown English Reading/Sanseido Publishing, Tokyo.
A 1975 edition was illustrated by
Joost Swarte
Joost Swarte (born 24 December 1947 in Heemstede) is a Dutch cartoonist and graphic designer. He is best known for his ligne claire or ''clear line'' style of drawing, a term he coined.
Comic series and characters by Swarte include ''Katoen en ...
.
Sources
See also
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Nacirema
Nacirema ("American" spelled backwards) is a term used in anthropology and sociology in relation to aspects of the behavior and society of citizens of the United States of America. The neologism attempts to create a deliberate sense of self-distanc ...
External links
''The Papalagi'' - Hoax?''Weird Papalagi and a fake Samoan chief — A footnote to the Noble Savage Myth''
1920 German-language novels
1920 German novels
Literary forgeries
Germany–Samoa relations
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