Occasional Papers of Melanesian Institute

No. 6: Concepts of Ownership in Melanesia. 1988, reprinted 1999.
No. 5: A Sense of Community: Traditional Loyalties, Citizenship and Government Policies.  1987, reprinted 2006
No. 4: Law and Order in Papua New Guinea, INA/IASER Report. 1984, reprinted 2006.
No. 3: Christian Fundamentalism and Melanesian Identity. 1986, reprinted 2006.
No. 2: Symbols of Life. Mary MacDonald, 1985.
No. 1: Christ the Light Of Papua New Guinea. 1982, reprinted 1988 and 1998.

CONCEPT OF OWNERSHIP IN MELANESIA

By Bernard Narokobi

In 'Concept of Ownership in Melanesia', the author clearly expresses the rules and regulations concerning ownership that governed his society. He sets out in detail the potential occasions where aspects of ownership could come into dispute, and how they are resolved through the well-worn path of traditional custom. 

This book enables the reader to understand the broad basis on which societies in this country measured and valued ownership. It helps to grasp the complexities and subtleties of the concept, and also explains why PNG societies still assert their rights so vehemently and so persistently, with each other and with the Government. 

A SENSE OF COMMUNITY: TRADITIONAL LOYALTIES, CITIZENSHIP AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES: PERSPECTIVES FROM A SQUATTER SETTLEMENT.

law and order in papua new guinea. ina/iaser report

By Lynn Giddings

This Occasional Paper No. 4 is concerned with law and order in both senses.

The report argues that there may be two types of forces tending towards peace and good order in PNG today: state and non-state forces. These could be called the formal and informal sectors. The latter includes community institutions of self-help and mediation, and other informal controls.

CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISM AND MELANESIAN IDENTITY

By John D'Arcy May. 

Christian Fundamentalism and Melanesian Identity show how something like a new Melanesian identity is emerging, however uncertainly, from the tribal origins it is destined to transcend, stressing the contradictions it must overcome as an essentially religious symbol in a secular context. 

symbols of life

By Mary MacDonald

The author described the traditional religious outlook and practices of the Mararoko people of the South Highlands of Papua New Guinea by relating their beliefs and rituals to their quest for a life which is rich and abundant and wants to demonstrate that the religions of Melanesia, which are often condescendingly characterised as "magical", enable their members to grasp the significance of human life through processes of magic which may be viewed as symbols of the quest for life. 

CHRIST THE LIFE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

By Ennio Mantovani and Mary MacDonald

The title "Symbols of Life is divided into four areas; God's Word and the Ancestor's Response, discusses the ways in which God has been revealing himself in Melanesia since time immemorial; Healing and Healers, reflects on the way sickness and healing are understood in traditional communities; Christ Or Life, considers the ways in which Jesus fulfils traditional religion and Christ Our Healer looks at possibilities for a Christian ministry of healing in Melanesia.