Native Samoans

Samoa Until 1997, the western islands were known as Western Samoa or Samoa I Sisifo to distinguish them from the nearby group known as American Samoa or Amerika Samoa. It is officially known today as Samoa. Samoa consists of nine tiny islands that lie north of the islands of New Zealand. The islands names are: Fanuatapu, Namu’a, Nuutele, Nuulua, Nuusafee, Savai’I, Upolu, Manono and Apolima. Savai’I, Upolu, Manono and Apolima are the ones that are most inhabited by people.

History of the Samoans Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen stumbled upon the islands in 1722 In 1768 French Admiral Louis de Bouegainville visited the islands and gave them the European name of “The Navigator Islands”. Germany took possession of the Islands in 1899 At the outbreak of WWI New Zealand took possession of the islands from Germany. In 1962 Western Samoa became the first independent Polynesian nation.

Fa’a Samoa - The Samoan Way Describes the socio-political and cultural way of life of the people of the Samoan Islands. Fa’a Samoa is a guideline for every Samoan on how to lead their lives by celebarting and embracing traditional values, their culture and environment. Three key structural elements: the matai (cheifs), the aiga (extended family), and the church.

Kinship and Social Structure The Samoans follow the Hawaiian Kinship Terminology. Descent groups followed through the first born, and usually the first born male. They also follow the descent groups through the father’s side. Each descent group has its own place in the village. Samoan society has always been based off of the aiga, or large extended family, each of which is associated with land and a chiefly title. All Samoans inherit membership and land use rights in the aiga of their parents' parents. They may choose to live with one or more of aiga and develop strong ties with those in which they live. Each village has a matai who serves as the leader. They can be male or female but they are usually male. There are 362 nu’u or villages found throughout the islands with a total of 18,000 matai.

The Matai The matai is elected through the consensus of the group. However, the matai is usually elected because of a blood relation. Rarely an outsider can be elected if he brings impressive gifts or donations. The matai takes care of responsibilities such as: the aiga’s land, their trade, their economy or distribution and for the village’s belongings. The matai also acts as a mediator in social disputes/confrontations. About 85 percent of the population is ruled over directly by the matai. This society is somewhat democratic and has worked for the Samoans for many, many years.

The Aiga Family is one of the most important and prominent qualities in the Samoan culture.The aiga, or extended family, all lives in very close range to each other. They believe it is the duty of a Samoan to be of service to their aiga for life. Most commonly a village will easily consist of several aiga. The larger the aiga and the more members that it has, the more power it holds among village affairs. The aiga or extended family is made up of parents, brothers and sisters, children, grandparents, cousins, nephews and nieces living together within the village. When family members marry partners in other villages, the in-laws become part of the extended family unit.

Marriage Social status is very important! The couple must be of about equal social standing for the wedding and relationship to be approved by family. Approval is necessary!! Costs for wedding is usually split between both families as a show unity and also because these weddings can get quite large and expensive Bride is offered up 2 dresses by each family and picks 2. Weddings are large and extravagant and usually have very big feasts So big that it is traditional for children to take home baskets of food

Fa’afafines: The Third Gender Fa’afaines are males in Samoan culture that are brought up to take on female roles They dress, act, and speak like women Samoan’s accept that every individual, man or woman, have a separate role in society Therefore feminine men are widely accepted They are not considered homosexual or trans. They are their own gender. They are know for their hard work and dedication to the family and are widely accepted by Samoan society

Living Conditions Huge amounts of foreign aid have come to Western Samoa since independence in 1962. It has been used to modernize even the most isolated parts. Today there are many European-style houses with wooden frames, iron roofs, and glass windows.

Living Conditions Traditional Samoan-style houses can still be found in Western Samoa. Each village/extended family typically has one These houses are rectangular with roofs that are high-peaked and covered with thatch. There are no walls, but shutters or blinds of braided coconut leaves can be lowered to keep out the blowing rain. The exact size and lavishness is determined by the power and position of the families and village. These houses, referred to as fale fono, are typically where the chiefs convene.

Food Food is a vital part of Samoan culture and festivities. Most food is grown and raised locally. Local staples include fish, lobster, crab, chicken, and pork; lettuce and cabbage; root vegetables such as talo, ta'amu, and yams; tree crops such as breadfruit and coconut; and local beverages such as coffee and cocoa. Imported foods include rice, canned meat and fish, butter, jam, honey, flour, sugar, bread, tea, and carbonated beverages.

Language The Samoan language is an Austronesian language. It is spoken in Samoa but because it is similar to other Polynesian languages it can also be heard in Fiji, Tonga, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, and in the United States. Their alphabet is composed of only fourteen letters and five vowels! (F, G, L, M, N, P, S, T, V, A, E, I, O, U).

Symbolism In Tattoos Samoans do not have many symbols to represent their language, but they do tattoo their bodies to represent stories or power and social status. They are known for how large the tattoos can be. It is not uncommon to find a man whose body is covered half in tattoos. It is seen as a right of passage or test and if the tattoo is not finished once started, it is seen as a source of shame. A male’s tattoo is called pe’a and a female’s tattoo is called malu. A male’s tattoos go from just under the ribcage, and continuing down to the ankles. A female’s can be just as big but they don’t have the large black areas and they also get tattooed on their hands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IPGXPOU5-c

Pe’a: Traditional Male Tattoo

Malu: Traditional Female Tattoo

Common Tattoo Symbols SUN ENATA SPEARHEADS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE9cLdlFRSc

The Haka Traditional War Chant, Dance, or Challenge Also used as a form of welcoming, acknowledging and grieving Originated from Chief Te Rauparaha of New Zealand in the 19th Century Involves loud chanting, aggressive stomping and slapping of the body, fierce faces, and sticking out the tongue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI851yJUQQw

Socially Unacceptable Behaviors Walking through villages during the evening prayer curfew (usually between 6pm and 7pm). This usually lasts for 10 to 20 minutes and is often marked at the beginning and end by a bell or the blowing of a conch shell. Disrupting their Sundays. You are expected to behave quietly and to travel slowly through villages. Wearing skimpy clothing. It will cause offense to the people in the villages.If a women is not wearing a lavalava (sarong), especially if they attend church. Shoes not being removed before entering a fale (house). Standing within a fale when elders are seated or sitting in a fale, with your feet pointed at others. Either tuck them away, cross them or cover them with a lavalava or mat.

Samoan Religion Religious history Polytheistic - worshiping both human and nonhuman gods Beliefs in ancestor spirits called aitu Nafanua’s prophecy Europeans land in Samoa - 1830 Malietoa’s significance to Christianity John Williams spreads Christianity Samoan Bible

Religion and government Religious freedom in Samoa Preamble to Samoan constitution “An independent state based on Christian principles and Samoan custom and traditions” State favors and promotes Christianity, but there is no official religion

Religion in Samoa today 98% Christian Congregational Christian Church in Samoa Roman Catholic Latter-Day Saints Methodist Assemblies of God Seventh-Day Adventist

Christian practices Each village has at least one church Pastors are wealthiest Required to give money to the church and attend on Sundays Matai - religious practitioner Belief in separation of body and soul at death

Education Primary school: Grade 1-8 Secondary school: Grade 9-13 139 primary schools Secondary school: Grade 9-13 21 junior secondary schools 4 senior secondary schools Samoa School Certificate Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate

Seventh and eighth years: taught in English First 6 years: taught in Samoan, with English introduced in the third year Seventh and eighth years: taught in English Students take language exam to rank them for secondary school Higher education National University of Samoa (NUS): about 2000 students Offers academic, technical, and vocational programs at certificate, diploma, bachelor, and post graduate levels NUS has several smaller institutions within it

Current Event Samoa is looking to biomass electricity The Government of Samoa, the Samoan Trust Estates Corporation and the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa have been investigating the potential of using Samoa's old coconut plantations to produce energy for a number of years. Samoa produces 35 percent of its electricity from renewable energy and the Government is committed to increasing this in line with its renewable energy target of achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2017.