Sometime in the not-so-distant past, an intrepid group of explorers began embarking from the shores of Asia into the open sea on a dangerous one-way trip. In the process, this group of mariners settled the large group of South Pacific islands now referred to as Polynesia. The sheer scope and significance of this accomplishment cannot be overstated. Armed with only what would fit in their canoe, the Polynesian mariner’s journey into the unknown often required sailing thousands of miles through dangerous waters—a feat so impressive there is still much debate over just ‘how’ they did it. With NAVIGATORS QUEST FOR A KINGDOM IN POLYNESIA, Fata Ariu Levi explores the legend, myth, and mystery surrounding ‘his’ people, the ancient Polynesian mariners.
Levi opens with a candid preface explaining his reasons for writing NAVIGATORS QUEST. It’s here where the native Samoan explains that he views this book as an extension of his responsibilities as an Orator Chief, a title bestowed upon him nearly thirty years ago. Following an impressively detailed outline of his research perspective, Levi dives headfirst into the Polynesian story of creation. From there, the well-traveled author systematically dissects his ancestry, exploring Polynesia from an Anthropological, Archaeological, Genealogical, and even a Mythological perspective. Each section is logically laid out, adhering to an academic format not unlike what might be found in a textbook. The numerous graphs and illustrations judiciously spread throughout the book are a nice touch as well, providing a welcome dose of context, especially to the sections discussing potential migration patterns. Of particular interest are the final sections focusing on Linguistics and Genetics, each of which underscores the common threads running through the various modern Polynesian nations. After all, Polynesia is a blanket term encompassing numerous populations, including Samoa, Tahiti, and even the Hawaiian islands.
At the risk of underselling, NAVIGATORS QUEST FOR A KINGDOM IN POLYNESIA can be summed up with a single word: comprehensive. So much so that in the hands of a lesser writer, one could envision a dense, dry read. Fortunately, despite his vast breadth of knowledge, Levi’s enthusiasm for his ancestry never fades. While anyone interested in Polynesian tradition and history is an obvious audience for this text, Levi’s greatest accomplishment is the way in which he translates for the layperson. From the myriad of theories regarding the ancient mariners to the throughline that connects them to their modern-day counterparts, Levi approaches each topic with a potent mix of authority and reverence. Be it scientific theories or stories based in oral tradition, all angles are considered. This approach occasionally leads to bouts of redundancy, but any overlap is easily excused considering the author’s gift for storytelling.
As both a debut release and an enduring tribute to the enduring spirit of the Polynesian mariners, Fata Ariu Levi’s NAVIGATORS QUEST FOR A KINGDOM IN POLYNESIA is an absolute success.
~James Weiskittel for IndieReader