introduction

Mana is a word found in Austronesian languages meaning "power", "effectiveness", and "prestige". In most cases, this power is understood to be supernatural.^[1] The exact semantics depends on the language. The concept is significant in Polynesian cultures; it is part of contemporary Pacific Islander culture. The term came to the attention of western anthropologists through the reports of missionaries in the islands. Its study was included in the topic of cultural anthropology, specifically in the anthropology of religion. Links were seen between it and an earlier phase of western religion, animism at first, then pre-animism.