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The South Pacific
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Samoa History and Culture
It’s been 3,000 years since Polynesians began arriving in the central South Pacific islands known as Samoa. As a matter of fact, Samoa is often referred to as “the birthplace” or “the cradle” of Polynesia, due to the fact that Polynesians remained in these beautiful islands for nearly a millennium before venturing forth to explore other eastern islands, such as Tahiti, Moorea, and the Marquesas.
Early History
In the early days, Samoa was often grouped with Tonga and Fiji, and the three island nations were constantly at war. Tonga even ruled Samoa for about 300 years – from 950 to 1250 AD.
Europeans first spied the islands in the second decade of the eighteenth century, but it wasn’t until nearly half-a-century later that a French expedition came ashore on what is now known as American Samoa. Not all of them survived as they were swiftly attacked by wary Samoans.
Samoans will tell you that their country changed drastically under the influence of the missionaries, who began arriving around 1830, producing a culture that is still strongly connected to the church and church activities. Missionaries organized European-style settlements and coached the sometimes-savage Samoans as to the proper way to lead a Christian life.
In 1887, the Germans staged a coup that gave them control of the islands for a few years. However, after an especially tragic skirmish, the islands were separated in 1889, with Germany maintaining control of Western (now Independent) Samoa and the United States taking the eastern island, now American Samoa.
The Twentieth Century
After World War I began, the German’s were forced to give up their portion of the Samoan Islands, and administrative control over Western Samoa was awarded to New Zealand.
After several decades of opposition to colonialism and the desire for self-government, a constitution for independence was drafted in 1960 and approved in 1961. At the start of the next year, Samoa earned its independence, becoming the first South Pacific colony to gain its freedom from Western powers. Others followed.
The People of Samoa
Samoans are quite traditional. With nearly 400 villages and about 18,000 chiefs - known as matais - serving as heads of the family units (aiga), community is the most important aspect of life in Samoa.
The church remains central to Samoan culture, with villagers spending more than just Sunday morning at their places of worship, including 10 minutes set aside each day for praying, singing hymns, and reading scripture.
Because of their desire to keep the Sabbath, finding things to do on Sunday can be quite difficult in Samoa, as stores, restaurants, and other establishments are closed and swimming on public beaches is not allowed (swimming at your hotel is fine).
Samoans are very generous to visitors and eagerly welcome guests to stay with them or enjoy their hospitality in some other way. Be sure to do what is customary in most South Pacific islands and bring a gift to those with whom you are invited to stay or give them a monetary donation, which will be much appreciated. Remember, most every place on the island is owned by an aiga, so be sure you have permission to enter their property.
English-speaking visitors will have no difficulty making their way around the islands as English is one of the official languages in Samoa, though most speak their own language – Samoan – during everyday goings-on.