Book Reading #42 - Coming of Age in Samoa

Title:
Appendix III: Samoan Civilization as It Is Today

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

Summary:
The appendix pointed out the changes that Samoa has had in part because of modernization due to foreigners coming in.  The most important things Mead notes is that with the introduction of new tools, devices, and ways of life, the Samoan people is relatively unchanged.  She points out that in many other societies, they forget their past and move on to a disparity between child and great-grandmother.  This is not the case in Samoa.

The introduction of Christianity on the island has significantly lowered the mortal and harsh (by our standards) treatment of people in the village for offenses or upset feelings.  The matai and leader of a household no longer holds ultimate authority over the rest of the clan.

The naval scene is important for inter-island travel along the archipelago.  The people use small canoes for this and save large voyages for passing ships to take them along.

Discussion:
This was a delightful read coming from all the other chapters in the book because I could relate to it much more.  It didn't jump around to every which subject when I thought it was trying to make one specific point.  It showed nicely the progression of the civilization in recent (back then) years.