Mana

mana: see animism; taboo.

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mana

Among Polynesian and Melanesian peoples, a supernatural force or power that may be ascribed to persons, spirits, or inanimate objects. Mana may be either good or evil, beneficial or dangerous, but it is not impersonal; it is never spoken of except in connection with powerful beings or things. The term was first used in the 19th century in the West in connection with religion, but mana is now regarded as a symbolic way of expressing the special qualities attributed to persons of status in a hierarchical society, of providing sanction for their actions, and of explaining their failures. See also animism.

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mana Anthropol

1. (in Polynesia, Melanesia, etc.) a concept of a life force, believed to be seated in the head, and associated with high social status and ritual power

2. any power achieved by ritual means; prestige; authority

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Mana 

(in its upper course, the Pravaia Mana), a river in Krasnoiarsk Krai, RSFSR; right tributary of the Enisei. Length, 475 km; basin area, 9,320 sq km. It rises in the Manskoe Belogor’e Mountains (Vostochnyi Saian). In its upper course it is a mountain river with many rapids; the lower course is winding. There are many stones in the riverbed. The Mana is fed primarily by snow and rain. The average water discharge 44 km from the mouth is 98 cu m per sec. The river freezes over by the first half of November and thaws in the second half of April or early May. The Mana is floatable, and it is navigable in its lower course. The Stolby Preserve is located near the mouth of the river on the right bank.

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Mana 

according to the beliefs of the peoples of Melanesia and Polynesia, a supernatural force that may be concentrated in persons, animals, various objects, and spirits. Simitar forces are known among many tribes and peoples (for example, the orenda of the Iroquois of North America and the yeki among the Pongwe in Africa).