ABSTRACT
Melanesian area, is not a universal idea, and therefore can hardly be taken to represent the first phase of all religions.
Mircea Eliade, Patterns in Comparative Religion (1958) 6 I will only draw passing attention again to the appalling fog of confusion,
which lasted for many years and is not yet entirely dispersed, about the (mainly Polynesian) concept of mana… Recent research seems to have established that it should be understood as an efficaciousness (with the allied meaning of truth) of spiritual power derived from gods or ghosts, usually through persons, especially chiefs-a grace or virtue which enables persons to ensure success in human undertakings.
