The rich, tropical islands of the South Pacific contain several sexually permissive cultures, such as Samoa, studied by Margaret Mead, and that of Polynesian Mangaia, studied by Donald Marshall. Dr. Marshall provides us with a wealth of detailed material on this southernmost Cook Island. His data are supplemented by my own observations in Mangaia and neighboring Rarotonga.
Mangaia is located 650 miles southwest of Tahiti. Five
miles wide, it is inhabited by approximately two thousand
Maori. The name Mangaia means "peace." The economy
depends upon the cultivation of pineapple and taro. Villages
are tiny, electricity absent, and communication dependent
upon one radio transmitter and one weekly freighter from
Rarotonga. Mangaians, like other Polynesians, are friendly
and open.
Mangaia is an island of lush vegetation, scant income, and
many children. Infants are special people, rocked and
indulged by all family members. Bare genitals are playfully
or casually stimulated and lingual manipulation of the tiny
penis is common. Girls' genitals are covered at age four or
five, but boys may remain bare until puberty. Privacy is
unknown, as each hut contains five to sixteen family members
of all ages. Adolescent daughters often receive lovers at
night and parents "bump together" so that young children
may be awakened by the slapping sound of moist genitals.
Although adults rarely talk to children about sex, erotic wit
and innuendos are common.
At the age of three or four, children band together and
explore the mysteries of the dense tropical bush. Adults
encourage this as there are no poisonous snakes or other perils
on the island. Fruits grow wild and water is plentiful. Sex
play flourishes in the undergrowth and coital activity may
begin at any time.Although adults ostensibly discourage sexual
activity, its existence is widely recognized and accepted.
Children learn about sex first from one another. Even in
1977, there is no sex education in Mangaian schools.
Young
girls also learn from elderly women who teach by telling stories
and by direct practical instruction. The young boy is
taught at puberty by older males. The instruction revolves
about the rite of superincision (similar to our circumcision).
As the operation is painful, and performed without anesthetic,
the boy may delay as long as possible. If he waits too
long he may be jeered by girls or accused of having a "stinking
penis." He may be knocked out by his friends and then
operated on. After the superincision the youth is coached in
techniques such as the kissing and sucking of breasts. He is
told about lubrication and trained in methods of bringing his
partner to climax several times prior to his own ejaculation.
Two weeks later, when the wound is healed, a "practical
exercise" is prescribed.
An experienced older woman acts as
mistress and tutor, fortuitously removing the scab.
Before age twenty, boys have copulated with ten or more
girls, and at age eighteen they average three orgasms a
night, seven nights a week. Girls feel an increase in erotic
appetite about the time of their first menses, and soon
become orgasmic. Contacts are arranged by the fluttering of
an eyelid, or the touch of a hand. Sexual pleasure is a chief
concern of both boys and girls.