Book Reading #19 - Coming of Age in Samoa

Title:
Chapter 6: The Girl in Her Community

Reference:
Mead, Margaret. Coming of Age in Samoa. Harper Perennial, 1928 (1971)

Summary:

Both boys and girls are for the most part ignored until they are about sixteen or seventeen.  Boys gain recognition by becoming part of the Aumaga or becoming a matai, girls by becoming part of the Aualuma or becoming a taupo.  Wives of the matais also hold a special place in the community.

The Aumaga mirrors the higher rank group of matai while the Aualuma has less structure and pretty much bay to the needs of the village.

Women to not hold many taboos as they do in other places in Polynesia.  Their presence is not a hindrance as long as they do not draw attention to themselves.

Discussion:
The most interesting part of this whole book has been that the taupo, one of the leading ladies in the village concerned with inter-village affairs is recognized as the village servant.  I think that is absolutely beautiful that the most prized person in the village is called the servant.  The rest of the chapter was fairly interesting as I now think I am getting a feel of how the structure of the village works.