Chief presents a tabu dance - Maewo island

This photo is a rarity for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that I was allowed to take it at all.

All of the chiefs of Koiovo village in central Maewo performed a tabu dance at the end of our stay there. Usually these events are closed to outsiders and photography is strictly prohibited.

I have to confess, though, that the solemnity of the event lost a bit of weight when I saw how this particular amalgamation of island and western styles.

November, 2005

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