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Although approximately 50 years have passed since the publication of the late Margaret Mead's celebrated 'Coming of Age in Samoa', the people of Upolu in Western Samoa retain many of the beliefs and customs so vividly described by Dr. Mead. The traditional houses without walls (fale) continue to dominate the island's habitations; all social interactions revolve around the highly structured chief or mataisystem; family relations and obligations underlie almost every decision-making process; important occasions are marked by mandatory gift exchanges, including the prized fine mats and the rituallyprepared pigs; and every possible happy time (Jiafia) finds expression through traditional dancing and singing. But important changes have taken place. The

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