This unique and fascinating book reveals the Melanesia you never knew.
When the French writer and poet Andre Breton observed odd sculptures for the first time from Melanesia, he wrote, "You frighten. You amaze." The five Melanesian islands of Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu were places that were not supposed to be discovered. Explorers feared them. Missionaries were murdered on them. Colonists struggled to govern them. Today, the indigenous people on these culturally rich islands desperately want to hold onto their traditional practices that often clash with Western ways of thinking and values.
The Darklands acutely examines the mysterious and unique cultural practices of these Melanesian islands, especially those that frighten and those that amaze.
Oswald, Brandon: - Brandon Oswald is a native Southern Californian who has never lived far from the ocean; he became fascinated with stories of adventure in the South Seas at an early age. His interest in the culture and history of the Pacific Islands was heightened by a volunteer trip to Rarotonga, Cook Islands in 2002. There he had the privilege of organizing and cataloging the material of several different kinds of libraries throughout the island, including facilities at a college, a primary school, and a public library. Brandon obtained his Master's degree in Archives and Records Management at the University of Dundee, Scotland, where he developed skills in preserving records of enduring value. During this time, he also developed a great interest in research. His experience inspired him to create the nonprofit organization, Island Culture Archival Support (ICAS), where he currently serves as the Executive Director and Archivist. ICAS is dedicated to providing voluntary archival assistance to cultural heritage organizations in the Pacific Islands. The organization also endeavors to promote the culture of the region through its social media outlets. Brandon has volunteered at various archives, libraries, and museums in the South Pacific, helping these organizations preserve their records, heritage and history. He has served all over the region, including Palau in Micronesia, Fiji in Melanesia, and the Cook Islands in Polynesia, as well as other locales. Additionally, Brandon has had several articles published in archival newsletters and has had the honor of publishing several papers regarding cultural preservation in the Pacific Islands for major international conferences. These papers include Partnership in Paradise: The Importance of Collaboration for Handling Traditional Cultural Expression Material in the Pacific Islands, Keeping the Canoe Afloat: Project Sustainability in Pacific Islands Cultural Heritage Organizations and The "Aloha" Archives: A Nonprofit Organization's View of Collaboration, Peace and Harmony in Cultural Heritage Organizations in the Pacific Islands. Brandon lives in San Diego, California, with his wife, Shannon, daughter, Devin, three cats, and a dog named Steve.
Rebstock, Raeghan: - Raeghan Rebstock, Publish Authority, 300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite, Roswell, GA 30076 PublishAuthority.com
