Written

Cook Islands ) , image_map = Cook Islands on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , capital = Avarua , coordinates = , largest_city = Avarua , official_languages = , lan ...

literature (as distinct from oral literature) has in some ways been a precursor to the development of Pacific Islands literature. Cook Islander Florence Frisbie was one of the Pacific Islands' first writers, publishing her autobiographical story '' Miss Ulysses of Puka Puka'' in 1948. Tongareva poet Alistair Te Ariki Campbell published his first collection, ''Mine Eyes Dazzle'', in 1950 (Christchurch: Pegasus Press). In 1960, Cook Islanders Tom Davis and

Lydia Davis Lydia Davis (born July 15, 1947) is an American short story writer, novelist, essayist, and translator from French and other languages, who often writes short (one or two pages long) short stories. Davis has produced several new translations of ...

published '' Makutu'', "perhaps the first novel by South Pacific Island writers". Pacific Islands literature began to emerge throughout the region in the late 1960s and in the 1970s, largely through the medium of the South Pacific Arts Society (founded at the

University of the South Pacific The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a public research university with locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. Established in 1968, the university is organised as an intergovernmental organisation and is owned by the go ...

in 1973) and of its literary magazines. Cook Islands poet Makiuti Tongia first published his work in the Society's journal ''

Mana According to Melanesian and Polynesian mythology, ''mana'' is a supernatural force that permeates the universe. Anyone or anything can have ''mana''. They believed it to be a cultivation or possession of energy and power, rather than being ...

''. Other noted Cook Islands writers include poet Kauraka Kauraka, children's author

Teupoko'ina Utanga Morgan Teupoko'ina Utanga Morgan (1 October 1934 – 15 September 2007) was a Cook Islands educator, politician and writer of children's books and song books. She was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1961, becoming one of the first two women dir ...

, and poet Audrey Brown-Pereira.

Sources

"English in the South Pacific"
John Lynch and France Mugler, University of the South Pacific

Sources

See also