Final answer:
In Polynesia, the term for an impersonal supernatural force is 'mana,' which represents a form of spiritual energy that may inhabit people, objects, and locations, and is crucial to cultural and religious practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Polynesia, an impersonal supernatural force is called mana. This concept of mana suggests that sacred energy can be present in both people and inanimate objects. In many religious traditions, this energy is seen as a sacred force that can influence the material world. Indigenous cultures, like the Maori of New Zealand, have identified mana as an essential aspect of spiritual power. This force can be accumulated through certain behaviors or by being in locations with strong mana, such as mountains or ancient sites. The application of mana in daily life and spiritual practices reveals its importance in Polynesian culture and beyond.
Mana is mostly associated with nonempirical phenomena and is a central part of Polynesian religion and spirituality. There are similarities with other cultural beliefs in supernatural elements, such as the soul in Christianity or the atman in Hinduism. When we look at religious practices around the world, it becomes clear that interaction with such unseen forces, including named and unnamed spirits, is common across diverse traditions.