082 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photograph by Dr. Edward Burton MacDowell 



THE TAUPO's MAID OP HONOR AND WAITING MAID, 1 3 AND 14 YEARS OLD, 



RESPECTIVELY 



The Samoan taupo, or village maiden, is indispensable to the village chief. To her belong 

 such traditional duties as leading the official dances and looking after the comfort and enter- 

 tainment of distinguished visitors. She lives in a house of her own and is attended by several 

 handmaidens, chosen for their beautiful faces and figures and ability to dance. 



