Which regions and peoples are included in Oceanic literature?

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Oceanic literature encompasses the traditional oral and written works of the indigenous peoples of Oceania. Specifically, this body of literature is associated with the regions and peoples of:

  • Melanesia1
  • Polynesia1
  • Micronesia1
  • Australia1

While the term broadly covers these areas, it is important to note that the study of Oceanic literature often distinguishes between these indigenous traditions and works derived from Western literary styles, such as those found in Australian literature and New Zealand literature. Modern developments in the field have been significantly shaped by writers from various Pacific nations—including Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and the Cook Islands—who have emphasized the importance of representing Pacific cultures from an insider's perspective.123