Cook Islands literature

WrittenCook Islandsliterature(as distinct fromoral literature) has in some ways been a precursor to the development ofPacific Islandsliterature. Cook IslanderFlorence Frisbiewas one of the Pacific Islands' first writers, publishing her autobiographical storyMiss Ulysses of Puka Pukain 1948. Tongareva poetAlistair Te Ariki Campbellpublished his first collection,Mine Eyes Dazzle,in 1950 (Christchurch: Pegasus Press). In 1960, Cook IslandersTom DavisandLydia DavispublishedMakutu,"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 theSouth Pacific Arts Society(founded at theUniversity of the South Pacificin 1973) and of its literary magazines. Cook Islands poetMakiuti Tongiafirst published his work in the Society's journalMana.

Other noted Cook Islands writers include poetKauraka Kauraka,children's authorTeupoko'ina Utanga Morgan,and poetAudrey Brown-Pereira.

Sources

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

See also

• Art of the Cook Islands
• Music of the Cook Islands