Samoans only wear "grass-skirts", which are actually made from pandanus ("grass skirt" is considered derogtory in Fa'a Samoa) during certain special ceremonies. Having known well Napoleone Tuiteleleapaga, one of Mead's primary informants, (convicted murderer, composer of the Samoan National anthem, and "bush lawyer"), when I lived and pr…
Samoans only wear "grass-skirts", which are actually made from pandanus ("grass skirt" is considered derogtory in Fa'a Samoa) during certain special ceremonies. Having known well Napoleone Tuiteleleapaga, one of Mead's primary informants, (convicted murderer, composer of the Samoan National anthem, and "bush lawyer"), when I lived and practiced in Fagatogo, more interesting is that he, and his fellow Ta'u teen-agers, told Ms. Mead exactly what they quickly discerned she wanted to hear about their sexual and other habits, thinking it hysterical, as teenagers world-wide can appreciate, to put one over on her. Millions have thus been mislead by "Coming of Age in Samoa". Nap and friends perpetuated perhaps the world's greatest practical joke.
In actuality, although "moetotolo" and other "exotic" practices do exist, in many ways the Samoans are as prudish (devout Christians, one and all) as any other culture. They have their "Taupo" customs, honored as the "Village Virgin", etc.
Exactly! Mead may have only documented interviewing girls, but any competent anthropologist would, of course, also survey boys. Nap and I were too close, nor would he have had any ill motive, confiding in a 24 year old VISTA lawyer in 1970, before Freeman, to confabulate.
Samoans only wear "grass-skirts", which are actually made from pandanus ("grass skirt" is considered derogtory in Fa'a Samoa) during certain special ceremonies. Having known well Napoleone Tuiteleleapaga, one of Mead's primary informants, (convicted murderer, composer of the Samoan National anthem, and "bush lawyer"), when I lived and practiced in Fagatogo, more interesting is that he, and his fellow Ta'u teen-agers, told Ms. Mead exactly what they quickly discerned she wanted to hear about their sexual and other habits, thinking it hysterical, as teenagers world-wide can appreciate, to put one over on her. Millions have thus been mislead by "Coming of Age in Samoa". Nap and friends perpetuated perhaps the world's greatest practical joke.
In actuality, although "moetotolo" and other "exotic" practices do exist, in many ways the Samoans are as prudish (devout Christians, one and all) as any other culture. They have their "Taupo" customs, honored as the "Village Virgin", etc.
O oe pepelo!
It turns out Margaret Mead's Samoan work was a work of fiction. She was a fraud.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-imprinted-brain/201702/margaret-mead-and-the-great-samoan-nurture-hoax?msockid=1f548487ee886114284c9150ef066020
Exactly! Mead may have only documented interviewing girls, but any competent anthropologist would, of course, also survey boys. Nap and I were too close, nor would he have had any ill motive, confiding in a 24 year old VISTA lawyer in 1970, before Freeman, to confabulate.