Samoa

This article is about the nation of Samoa. For the neighboring U.S. territory, see American Samoa. For the island chain, see Samoan Islands. For other uses, see Samoa (disambiguation).

Independent State of Samoa Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Fa'avae i le Atua Sāmoa (English: Samoa is founded on God)
Anthem: The Banner of Freedom
Capital and largest city	Apia
Official languages	Samoan English
Ethnic groups (2001)	Samoan 92.6% Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood) 7% Europeans 0.4%
Demonym(s)	Samoan
Government	Unitary parliamentary republic
• O le Ao o le Malo (Head of State)	Tufuga Efi
• Prime Minister	Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Legislature	Legislative Assembly
Independence
• from New Zealand	1 January 1962
Area
• Total	2,831 km2 (1,093 sq mi) (174th)
• Water (%)	0.3%
Population
• 2012 estimate	194,320 (166th)
• 2006 census	179,186
• Density	63.2/km2 (163.7/sq mi) (144th)
GDP (PPP)	2011 estimate
• Total	$1.090 billion
• Per capita	$5,965
GDP (nominal)	2011 estimate
• Total	$630 million
• Per capita	$3,451
HDI (2007)	0.685  (94th)
Currency	Tala (WST)
Time zone	UTC+131
• Summer (DST)	UTC+14
Drives on	left2
Calling code	685
ISO 3166 code	WS
Internet TLD	.ws
Since 31 December 2011. Since 7 September 2009.

Samoa (/səˈmoʊ.ə/ ; Samoan: Sāmoa, IPA: [ˌsaːˈmoa]), officially the Independent State of Samoa (Samoan: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Sāmoa), formerly known as Western Samoa, is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Samoa announced their independence to Aotearoa - New Zealand in 1962. The main island of Samoa is Upolu, and is one of the largest islands in the Polynesian Triangle, next to Savai'i. The capital city, Apia, and Faleolo International Airport are situated on the island of Upolu.

Samoa was admitted to the United Nations on 15 December 1976. The entire island group, inclusive of American Samoa, has been called “Navigators Islands” by late European explorers, who at 3000 years after Polynesia's "Age of Navigation" surged into an era of exploration. Before the 20th century because of the Samoans' seafaring skills, and origins of Polynesian culture,

History

Main article: History of Samoa

Many recent studies into the pre-history of Samoa has been taken up by Asia Pacific Universities, including departments in Aotearoa - New Zealand. In general public education, the Polynesian Expansion is chronologically studied in the range of 3,000 years, leading off at a Lapita site at Mulifanua during the 1970s.

The origins of "The Samoan Expansions" are linked to the Pre-historical waves of Southeast Asian expansions which is a continued study in modern research in various scientific disciplines such as Genetics, Linguistics and Anthropology. Scientific research resides on the results that the Samoans originate from, or of, the ancient lines of Austronesian expansions and predecessors during some of the first waves expansions eastward across Southern Asia and Asia Pacific. The Lapita expansion period from Southeast Asia through Melanesia between 2,500 and 1,500 BCE is an on going Anthropological interest. The Samoan origins are currently being thoroughly assessed due to new scientific evidence and carbon dating findings from 2003 and onwards.

It's theorized that intimate sociocultural and genetic ties were maintained in Pre-historical eras between the Polynesian Lapita colonies. Archaeological record supports Samoan oral History and Genealogy that indicate inter-island exploration, war, colonization, and eras of Monarchal ties between ancient Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, and in Eastern Polynesia orders - Ali'i.

Studio photo depicting preparation of the Samoa 'ava ceremony c. 1911.

Interior of Samoan house, Apia, Urville 1842.

At the final arrival of western exploration in the early 18th century. Jacob Roggeveen (1659–1729), a Dutchman, was the first documented to sight the Samoan islands in 1722. This visit was followed by another western explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville (1729–1811), who named them the Navigator Islands in 1768. Contact was limited before the 1830s which is when missionaries and traders began seeking relations with Samoan orders.

Religious missions were cautious in Samoa which began in the late 1830's by John Williams, of the London Missionary Society arriving in Sapapali'i from The Cook Islands and Tahiti. According to Barbara A. West, another western author seeking interests of readers, "The Samoans were also known to engage in “headhunting,” a practice invoked in ancient Samoan warfare, in which a warrior took the head of his slain opponent to give to his leader, thus taking his Mana." By that time, the Samoans had gained a reputation of being savage and warlike from a famously published French journal of the times, which insued panic during that time, and a wonder of Samoan invasion. The violent altercations had occurred between a village of Samoa and a French expedition [La Perouse Expedition], who had lost almost the entire crew leaving the expedition adrift, over a French sailor direspecting a Samoan woman.

Later expeditions by the British, German, and American forces, who by the late nineteenth century understood the invaluble oceanic position of Samoan trade, sought it's cooperation in resupply and refueling for coal-fired shipping and whaling.

Wilhelm Solf, German governor of Samoa 1900-1910

Mata'afa Iosefo (1832-1912) paramount chief & rival for the kingship of Samoa

The Germans in particular began to show great academic and commercial interest in Samoa, especially on the island of 'Upolu where German firms established trade with Samoa in copra and cocoa bean processing; the United States rushed into the new Pacific international trade and formed alliances with Samoan orders, be it the Chiefs, High Chiefs of the public, or with the current anointed Monarch. Most intuitively, the American government established their strongest relations on the islands of legend, Tutuila and Manu'a, (which later became a protectorate of the USA as American Samoa).

At one point during Samoan civil unrest [a conflict between the Samoan Orders], Britain sent troops to protect already attempted enterprise, harbour rights, and the consulate office. The political unrest, already in motion even before western trade was established, set off the eight-year civil war, where each of the three western powers supplied Samoan campaigns with arms, ammunition, and in some cases, regiments or combat troops to the Samoan campaigns. A western title of the events, titled the Samoan crisis has recently appeared, describing the critical juncture in March 1889 when all three western allied contenders sent troops, supply, and a number of decorated warships into Apia harbour, for the largest Pacific-scale war seemed imminent. The war seemed set, until a massive storm [Tsunami] on 15 March 1889 damaged permanantly or destroyed all the fleets, warships, and troops, ending the western military conflicts.

The Second Samoan Civil War was a conflict that reached a head in 1898 when allied Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States were locked in dispute again with Samoan campaigns. The Samoan Siege of Apia occurred during the Second Samoan Civil War in March 1899 at Apia. Samoan Loyalist forces to Prince Tanu were besieged by a larger force of Samoan Loyalists to the reknown Mata'afa Iosefo. Allied to the Samoan Prince Tanu were sent troops from four British and American warships.

Over the course of several days in battle, one side of the Samoan insurgents were defeated. Allied American and British warships shelled Apia on 15 March 1899; including the allied USS Philadelphia. Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States quickly wished to resolve the campaigns, which were costing far more than trade profits, and what seemed may last to an unknown date. The partitioning with Samoa was convened on at the Tripartite Convention of 1899.

20th century

The Tripartite Convention of 1899 agreed that in the Samoan Islands, two parts: the eastern island group would become a protectorate of the United States (the Tutuila Islands in 1900 and officially Manu'a in 1904) and is today known as American Samoa; the western islands, by far the greater landmass, became known in western networks as German Samoa [German Allied with Samoan Orders] after Britain retreated all enterprise with Samoa, Britain then in retaliation to Samoan and German alliances, sought termination of German allied rights in the Kingdom of Tonga, and certain areas in the Solomon Islands and West Africa.

By 1912 the German administration had achieved a set stage for long-term relations with Western Samoa, understanding the traditional forces in Samoan politics. This maintaining of relations was formed with local participation in a newly forming Samoan government. Samoa kept their Tupu (King), nor even alii sili (similar to a governor), with two Fautua (Advisors) added or appointed. Tumua and Pule (traditional governments of Upolu and Savaii) were for a time separate, one type of government for Samoan traditionals, and another for newly made foreign trade; all decisions on matters affecting western interests and titles were through Samoan Orders and the Governor. To complete the process with new foreign trade, a new Fa’alupega was created.

The Fa’alupega is a formal greeting which acknowledges those being greeted and their status. The Fa’alupega, which had been nationally accepted on both Samoan island chains; The Fa'alupega is as follows:

"Tulouna a Tumua ma Pule,
Tulouna a Itu’au ma Alataua,
Tulouna a Aiga-i-le-Tai,
Ma le Va’a-o-Fonoti,
Tulouna a Tama ma a latou aiga
Po’o aiga ma a latou tama".

This firstly recognized the authority and identity of principal districts of Samoa through their spokesmen – Tumua ma Pule, Itu’au ma Alataua, Aiga-i-le-Tai, and the Va'a-o-Fonoti – and the highest titles which were bestowed by these Samoan Orders. It concludes with the recognition of the great maximal descent groups of Samoa and their “sons” who had been chosen to hold the highest titles.

The new Fa’alupega of for German allied in Samoa, which in its first line, recognises the Kaiser (Kaisa), and apparently announces Great Malietoa Tanunafili [King} and Tupua Tamasese to be supervising advisors to the governing council for Germans in Samoa.

"Tulouna a lana Maiesitete le Kaisa o le tupu mamalu o lo tatou malo kasialika aoao.
Tulouna a lana afioga le kovana kasialika o le sui o le kaisa I Samoa nei.
Susu mai Malietoa, Afio mai Tupua
Ua fa’amanatuiana ai aiga e lua I o oulua tofiga Kasialika o le Fautua.
Tulouna a le vasega a Faipule Kasialika o e lagolago malosi I le Malo.
Afifio mai le nofo a vasega o tofiga Kasialika o e usu fita I le tautua I le malo".

The first German Governor, Wilhelm Solf, later went on to become Secretary for the Colonies of Imperial Germany. Aotearoa - New Zealand troops landed on 'Upolu unopposed on 29 August 1914 and seized control from the German authorities, following a request by Britain for the newly forming New Zealand government [which was at the time also in campaigns with Maori] to perform their "great and urgent imperial service." [establish again after former retreat]

Exiled orator Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe

From the end of World War I until 1962, newly formed New Zealand administrations were in campaign in Western Samoa, which sought the Class C Mandate under trusteeship through the League of Nations. There followed a series of New Zealand administrators who were responsible for two major incidents, one in trade, and one in an ongoing political movement.

In the devastating trade incident, an estimated one fifth of the Samoan population was infected [Although Samoan tradtional medicine is highly advanced] by European epidemics in the influenza epidemic of 1918-1919. In 1919 The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the European epidemics in Western Samoa, concluded that there had been no epidemic of pneumonic influenza until the arrival of the 'SS Talune' from Auckland. on the 7th of November 1918.

The newly formed and poorly governed NZ administration had lost the ship [SS Talune] to berth in breach of quarantine; within seven days of this ship's arrival of European influenza became epidemic in Upolu and then spread throughout the rest of the territory.

People in attendance at Tupua Tamesese's funeral.

The second NZ administration incident, which was a political incident, arose out of an initially peaceful protest by the Mau (which literally translates as "strongly held opinion"), a non-violent popular movement which had its beginnings in the early 1900s on Savai'i, led by Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe, an orator Chief of the public deposed by Solf. In 1909, Lauaki was exiled to Saipan and died en route back to Samoa in 1915.

By 1918, Samoa had population of an estimated 40,000 Samoan residence on island [not an estimate worldwide] with a low count of westerners in trade. By the late 1920s political movements from east to western nations against colonial failed systems had gathered widespread support in Samoa. Both incidents with the older NZ administrations were used in campaign by new formed Samoan political movements.

One of the prominant Mau leaders was Olaf Frederick Nelson, a half Samoan and half Swedish merchant and tradesman. Nelson was eventually exiled by Samoan Authorities during the late 1920s and early 1930s, but he continued to assist the organization financially and politically. In accordance with the Mau's non-violent philosophy, the newly elected leader, High Chief Tupua Tamasese Lealofi, led his fellow uniformed Mau in a peaceful demonstration in downtown Apia on 28 December 1929.

The New Zealand police currently stationed in protection of an NZ office, attempted to arrest one of the leaders in the demonstration. When he held fast, a larger struggle developed in protection of the leader between the police and the Mau. The officers began to fire in retreat into the protest, and with a Lewis machine gun mounted in preparation for defense, the demonstration became a conflict. The gun was said to disperse the demonstrators, who at the time were not armed. Chief Tamasese was shot in the back from behind and killed while trying to bring calm and order to the Mau demonstrators, screaming "Peace, Samoa". Ten others were estimated killed in the demonstration and approximately 50 or so were injured by gunshot wounds including police.

That day has been called by some western historians as a Black Saturday. The Mau movement after the provoking, remained steadfastly non-violent, but expanded rapidly to include a highly influential women's branch.

With a network of campaigns, Western Samoa annouced Independence in 1962 and signed a Friendship Treaty with refromed New Zealand administrations. Samoa then became the first official Pacific island nation in the Southeast Moana [Ocean]. Samoa also joined the Commonwealth of Nations on 28 August 1970.

In 2002, Aotearoa - New Zealand's prime minister Helen Clark, on a trip to Samoa, formally apologised for poorly handled former New Zealand administrations, which were taken down internally, and forced out [British Imperial - Loyalists] after the World War. The apology addressed, and took full blame in the events of 1918 and 1929, even though Imperial camapigns were stamped out.

In July 1997 the government amended the constitution to change the Western Samoan nation's name from Western Samoa to Samoa. The U.S. protectorate American Samoa or Eastern Samoa, protested the move asserting that the change diminished its own Samoan identity. As of 2012 American Samoans due to American english networks, in general use the terms Western Samoa and Western Samoans to describe the Independent Nation of Samoa and its residence, but only for geography purposes and not political purposes.. Travel writer Paul Theroux noted very few marked differences between the societies in Samoa and American Samoa, with both regions holding strong very ancient traditions.

21st century

Effective 7 September 2009, the Samoan government has changed the driving orientation for motorists and public now drives on the left side of the road. This brings the nation of Samoa into line with many other Asia Pacific countries in the region. Samoa is the first country in the Pacific, and the first country in the whole of th 21st century, to switch to driving on the left.

At the end of 29 December 2011, Samoa also jumped forward by one day, omitting the 30th of December move from the local calendar, changing the former Samoan nation's move to the west of the International Date Line. This is anticipated to help the nation boost its economy by doing business with Australia and New Zealand.

Before the national change, Samoa was 21 hours behind Sydney Australia, but the Date line change now means Samoa is three hours ahead of Australia. The previous timezone was agreed on the 4th of July 1892, to work in line with American foreign traders based in California.

Politics

Main articles: Politics of Samoa and Fa'amatai

Government buildings in Apia

The Samoan 1960 Constitution, which formally came into force with gaining poltical structures, supported by independence, and grassroots movements in 1962, is closest to a western definition of a Parliamentary Democracy. The Samoan Constitution is in sound juncture with it's ancient traditional Samoan customs, which never seem to have been deluded. The Government of Samoa is referred to as the 'Malo'.

Samoa's first Prime Minister was Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu’u II, one of the four highest ranking Chief of the public in the nation. Two other High Chiefs of the public, or Royal lines, at the time were appointed joint heads of state for an undefined remainder of office. Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, who died in 1963, leaving Malietoa Tanumafili II sole head of state until his death on 11 May 2007, there in allowed a Samoa polical transitioned from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Parliamentary Republic. The next Head of State Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi was elected by the legislature on 17 June 2007 for a 5 year term.

The Samoan Legislature (Fono) consists of 49 members serving 5-year terms. Forty-seven are matai, or Matai title holders elected from territorial districts by Samoan pubic. Two members are chosen [non-Samoans] with no chiefly affiliation on separate electoral rolls. Universal suffrage was extended in 1990, but only Chiefs of the pubilc (Matai) may stand for election to the Samoan seats.

There are more than 25,000 Samoan and non-Samoan Matai in the nation, about 5% of whom are women of stature. The Prime Minister is chosen by a majority in the Legislature [Fono] and is appointed by the Head of State to form a government. The Prime Minister's choices for the 12 cabinet positions are appointed by the Samoan government Head of State, subject to the continuing confidence of the Legislature.

Prominent Samoan women politics include the late Laulu Fetauimalemau Mata'afa (1928–2007) from Lotofaga constituency, the wife of Samoa's first Prime Minister. Their daughter Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is a Chief of the public title hoder and a long-serving senior member of cabinet. Other women in politics include Samoan scholar and eminent professor Aiono Fanaafi Le Tagaloa, Historian and Chief of the public, Matatumua Maimoana and Safuneitu'uga Pa'aga Neri, the current Minister of Communication and Technology.

The judicial system is in sound juncture with local customs and an international perspective. The Supreme Court of Samoa is the court of highest jurisdiction. Its Chief justice is appointed by the Head of State upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Districts

Main article: Districts of Samoa

Samoa is made up of eleven itūmālō (political districts). These are the traditional eleven districts that were established well before European arrival. Each district has its own constitutional foundation (faavae) based on the traditional order of title precedence found in each district's faalupega (traditional salutations).

The capital village of each district administers and coordinates the affairs of the district and confers each districts' paramount title, amongst other responsibilities. For example, the District of A'ana has its capital at Leulumoega. The paramount title of A'ana is the TuiA'ana. The orator group which confers this title - the Faleiva (House of Nine) - is based at Leulumoega. This is also the same for the other districts. In the district of Tuamasaga, the paramount title of the district - The Malietoa title - is conferred by the FaleTuamasaga based in Afega.

Political Districts of Samoa

Upolu (including minor islands) Tuamasaga (Afega) A'ana (Leulumoega) Aiga-i-le-Tai (Mulifanua)1 Atua (Lufilufi)2 Va'a-o-Fonoti (Samamea)

Savai'i Fa'asaleleaga (Safotulafai) Gaga'emauga (Saleaula)3 Gaga'ifomauga (Safotu) Vaisigano (Asau) Satupa'itea (Satupa'itea) Palauli (Vailoa)

¹ including islands Manono, Apolima and Nu'ulopa
² including the Aleipata Islands and Nu'usafe'e Island
³ smaller parts also on Upolu (Salamumu (incl. Salamumu-Utu) and Leauvaa villages)

Geography

Main article: Geography of Samoa

Map of Samoa.

Samoa is located south of the equator, about halfway between Hawai‘i and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the Pacific Ocean. The total land area is 2,934 km² (1,133 sq mi), consisting of the two large islands of Upolu and Savai'i which account for 99% of the total land area, and eight small islets.

These are the three islets in the Apolima Strait (Manono Island, Apolima and Nu'ulopa), the four Aleipata Islands off the eastern end of Upolu (Nu'utele, Nu'ulua, Namua, and Fanuatapu), and Nu'usafe'e (less than 0.01 km² - 2½ acres - in area and about 1.4 km (0.9 mi) off the south coast of Upolu at the village of Vaovai). The main island of Upolu is home to nearly three-quarters of Samoa's population, and its capital city is Apia.

View of Falefa Valley from Le Mafa Pass, east Upolu.

The Samoan islands have been produced by vulcanism, the source of which is the Samoa hotspot which is probably the result of a mantle plume. While all of the islands have volcanic origins, only Savai'i, the western most island in Samoa, is volcanically active with the most recent eruptions in Mt Matavanu (1905–1911), Mata o le Afi (1902) and Mauga Afi (1725). The highest point in Samoa is Mt Silisili, at 1858 m (6,096 ft). The Saleaula lava fields situated on the central north coast of Savai'i are the result of the Mt Matavanu eruptions which left 50 km² (20 sq mi) of solidified lava.

Samoa was previously located east of the international date line but in 2011, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele announced his country would move the International Date Line to the east of the country, so that Samoa would lie to the west of the date line. This change took effect on the night of 29 December, so that the Friday was skipped altogether and the following day was Saturday 31 December.

The climate is equatorial/monsoonal, with an average annual temperature of 26.5°C (79.7°F), and a rainy season from November to April. Savai'i is the largest of the Samoan islands and the sixth largest Polynesian island after New Zealand's North, South and Stewart Islands and the Hawaiian islands of Hawaiʻi and Maui. The population of Savai'i is 42,000 people.

Climate data for Apia
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	419 (16.5)	322 (12.7)	332 (13.1)	261 (10.3)	205 (8.1)	165 (6.5)	133 (5.2)	155 (6.1)	180 (7.1)	257 (10.1)	270 (10.6)	372 (14.6)	3,071 (120.9)
Source: www.weather2travel.com"Apia climate guide".

Environment

See also: List of birds of Samoa and List of protected areas of Samoa

Samoa is located within the Samoan tropical moist forests ecoregion. Since human habitation began, about 80% of the lowland rain forests has been lost. Within the ecoregion about 28% of plants and 84% of land birds are endemic.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Samoa

View above the Falealupo Rainforest canopy walkway, Savaii.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in purchasing power parity (PPP) in 2006 was estimated at $1.218 billion USD. The industrial sector is the largest component of GDP at 58.4%, followed by the services sector at 30.2% (2004 est.). Agriculture represents only 11.4% of GDP (2004 est.). Samoan labor force is estimated at 90,000.

The country currency is the Samoan tālā, issued and regulated by the Central Bank of Samoa. The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on agriculture and fishing at the local level. In modern times, development aid, private family remittances from overseas, and agricultural exports have become key factors in the nation's economy. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labour force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, noni (juice of the nonu fruit, as it is known in Samoan), and copra.

Outside of a large automotive wire harness factory (Yazaki Corporation), the manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Tourism is an expanding sector which now accounts for 25% of GDP. Tourist arrivals have been increasing over the years with more than 100,000 tourists visiting the islands in 2005, up from 70,000 in 1996.

The Samoan government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline. Observers point to the flexibility of the labour market as a basic strength for future economic advances. The sector has been helped enormously by major capital investment in hotel infrastructure, political instability in neighboring Pacific countries, and the 2005 launch of Virgin Samoa a joint-venture between the government and Virgin Australia (then Virgin Blue).

Taro, a root crop, traditionally was Samoa's largest export, generating more than half of all export revenue in 1993. But a fungal blight decimated the plants, and in each year since 1994 taro exports have accounted for less than 1% of export revenue.

In the period before German colonization, Samoa produced mostly copra. German merchants and settlers were active in introducing large scale plantation operations and developing new industries, notably cocoa bean and rubber, relying on imported labourers from China and Melanesia. When the value of natural rubber fell drastically, about the end of the Great War (World War I), the New Zealand government encouraged the production of bananas, for which there is a large market in New Zealand.

Because of variations in altitude, a large range of tropical and subtropical crops can be cultivated, but land is not generally available to outside interests. Of the total land area of 2,934 km² (725,000 acres), about 24.4% is in permanent crops and another 21.2% is arable. About 4.4% is Western Samoan Trust Estates Corporation (WSTEC).

The staple products of Samoa are copra (dried coconut meat), cocoa bean (for chocolate), and bananas. The annual production of both bananas and copra has been in the range of 13,000 to 15,000 metric tons (about 14,500 to 16,500 short tons). If the rhinoceros beetle in Samoa were eradicated, Samoa could produce in excess of 40,000 metric tons (44,000 short tons) of copra. Samoan cocoa beans are of very high quality and used in fine New Zealand chocolates. Most are Criollo-Forastero hybrids. Coffee grows well, but production has been uneven. WSTEC is the biggest coffee producer. Rubber has been produced in Samoa for many years, but its export value has little impact on the economy.

Other agricultural industries have been less successful. Sugarcane production, originally established by Germans in the early 20th century, could be successful. Old train tracks for transporting cane can be seen at some plantations east of Apia. Pineapples grow well in Samoa, but beyond local consumption have not been a major export.

Demographics

A Samoan family.

Main article: Demographics of Samoa

Samoa has a population of 182,265 of which 92.6% are Samoans, 7% Euronesians (or Polyeuros)(people of mixed, European and Polynesian ancestors) and 0.4% are Europeans, per the CIA World Factbook. About three-quarters of the population live on the main island of Upolu. Only the Māori of New Zealand outnumber Samoans among Polynesian groups.

Samoans' religious adherence includes the following: Samoan Culture 99.9% Christian Congregational Church of Samoa 35.5%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%, Latter-day Saints 12.7%, Samoan Assemblies of God 10.6%, Seventh-day Adventist 3.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, unspecified 0.8% (2001 census). The Head of State until 2007, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, was a Bahá'í convert. Samoa hosts one of seven Bahá'í Houses of Worship in the world; completed in 1984 and dedicated by the Head of State of Samoa, it is located in Tiapapata, 8 km (5 mi) from Apia.

Culture

Roman Catholic cathedral Immaculate Conception of Mary, now demolished.

A Samoan fire dancer.

Main article: Culture of Samoa

See also: Music of Samoa

The Fa'a Samoa, or traditional Samoan way, remains warm in Samoan life with their politics a foundation to culture. Despite first western trade disputes and first encounter foreign relations problems, Samoa maintains its historical customs of giving, with growing foundations in social and political systems, including language programs. Public customs such as the Samoa 'ava ceremony are significant ceremonies and celebrations. A tremendous important community occasion includes the bestowal of a matai title. A historical item in use with most of the most sacred Samoan ceremonies is one of great cultural value, the finely woven 'Ie toga, is also held in respect in the Kingdom of Tonga.

Samoan Theology includes many spirits and higher ranking spirits, [western definition sometimes relates the status with Gods] with creation stories and figures of the teachings of Tagaloa. The teachings of Tagaloa [The only Theological figure found on almost all Polynesian islands] and the Goddess of war Nafanua, the daughter of Saveasi'uleo, ruler of the spirit realm Pulotu are held still in great importance. Other teachings include the well known life of Sina and the Eel which explains the origins of the first island tree.

Samoan spiritual and religious perspectives see Samoan culture as the largest religion of Samoa. Many people have subtly adapted to include the religion of Christianity to 'fit in' with Fa'a Samoa and vice versa.

Ancient Samoa continues to co-exist side-by-side with new religions like Christianity, particularly in regard to the traditional customs and rituals of Fa'a Samoa. The Samoan culture is centered around the principle of Vā fealoa'i, the relationships between people. These relationships are based on respect, or Fa'aaloalo. When Christianity was introduced in Samoa, most people held it up to be similar with traditional Samoan teachings. There are even parts of the Bible [Genesis] that sound very much like ancient Samoan teachings. Currently 98% of the population identify themselves as Samoan Christian, while 99.9% claim Samoan culture as a religion of Samoa. The other 2 percent either identify themselves as irreligious, or do not belong to any congregation.

Most Samoans live an extremely communal way of life, participating in activities collectively as a village and a family. Examples of this are the use of traditional Samoan reseidences fale (houses) which are open with no walls, use blinds made of coconut palm fronds during the night or bad weather and can house a family of up to 8-15. The form and construction of traditional Architecture of Samoa was historically a specialised skill by Tufuga fai fale that was also linked to other Samoan cultural Art forms and engineering practices.

The Samoan word for dance is Siva with unique gentle movements of the body in time to music and which tells a rythmic story. Although the Samoan male dances can be more physical and snappy. The Sasa is also a traditional dance where rows of dancers perform coordinated synchronised movements in time to the rhythm of wood carved drums (pate) or a rolled mat instrument. Another dance performed by males is called the Fa'ataupati or the "Samoan Slap Dance", creating rhythmic and coordinated taps by slapping parts of the body [found to be a coordination exercise for youth]. This is jokingly believed to have been derived from slapping life forms who annoy the body, such as sprirts.

Tattooing

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A man with a Pe'a, a male Samoan tattoo.

A Samoan woman with a traditional malu.

As the founder of Polyneisn Tattooing, other Polynesian cultures (Hawai'ian, Tahitian and Māori) have significant and unique tattoos as well. Samoans have two gender specific and culturally significant tattoos. For males, it is called the Pe'a and consists of intricate and geometrical patterns tattooed that cover areas from the knees up towards the ribs. A male who possesses such a tatau is called a soga'imiti. A Samoan girl or Teine is given a Malu, which covers the area from just below her knees to her upper thighs.

Contemporary culture

Albert Wendt is a significant Samoan writer whose novels and stories tell the Samoan experience. In 1989, his novel Flying Fox in a Freedom Tree was made into a feature film in New Zealand, directed by Martyn Sanderson. Another novel Sons for the Return Home had also been made into a feature film in 1979, directed by Paul Maunder. The late John Kneubuhl, born in American Samoa, was an accomplished playwright and screenwriter and writer. Sia Figiel won the 1997 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for fiction in the South East Asia/South Pacific region with her novel "Where We Once Belonged". Momoe Von Reiche is an internationally recognised poet and artist. Tusiata Avia is a performance poet. Her first book of poetry Wild Dogs Under My Skirt was published by Victoria University Press in 2004. Dan Taulapapa McMullin is an artist and writer. Other Samoan poets and writers include Sapa'u Ruperake Petaia, Eti Sa'aga and Savea Sano Malifa, the editor of the Samoa Observer.

In music, popular local bands include The Five Stars, Penina o Tiafau and Punialava'a. The Yandall Sisters' cover of the song Sweet Inspiration reached number one on the New Zealand charts in 1974. King Kapisi was the first hip hop artist to receive the prestigious New Zealand APRA Silver Scroll Award in 1999 for his song Reverse Resistance. The music video for Reverse Resistance was filmed in Savai'i at his villages. Other successful Samoan hip hop artists include rapper Scribe, Dei Hamo, Savage and Tha Feelstyle whose music video Suamalie was filmed in Samoa.

Lemi Ponifasio is a director and choreographer who is prominent internationally with his dance Company MAU. Neil Ieremia's company Black Grace has also received international acclaim with tours to Europe and New York. Hip hop has had a significant impact on Samoan culture. According to Katerina Martina Teaiwa, PhD from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, "Hip hop culture in particular is popular amongst Samoan youth." This is not surprising considering the large amounts of migration between Samoa, Hawaii, and the United States mainland, specifically California. In addition, the integration of hip hop elements into Samoan tradition also "testifies to the transferability of the dance forms themselves," and to the "circuits through which people and all their embodied knowledge travel." Dance both in its traditional form and its more modern forms has remained a central cultural currency to Samoans, especially youths.

The arts organisation Tautai is a collective of visual artists including Fatu Feu'u, Johnny Penisula, Shigeyuki Kihara, Iosefa Leo, Michel Tuffery, John Ioane and Lily Laita.

Director Sima Urale is an award-winning filmmaker. Urale's short film O Tamaiti won the prestigious Best Short Film at the Venice Film Festival in 1996. Her first feature film Apron Strings opened the 2008 NZ International Film Festival. The feature film Siones Wedding, co-written by Oscar Kightley, was financially successful following premieres in Auckland and Apia. The 2011 film The Orator was the first ever fully Samoan film, shot in Samoa in the Samoan language with a Samoan cast telling a uniquely Samoan story. Written and directed by Tusi Tamasese, it received much critical acclaim and attention at film festivals throughout the world.

In comedy, Laughing Samoans, the Naked Samoans and Kila Kokonut Krew have enjoyed sold-out tours.

Actor and director Nathaniel Lees has featured in many theatre productions and films including his role as Captain Mifune in The Matrix movie trilogy. Published playwrights include Oscar Kightley, Victor Rodger, Makerita Urale and Niuean Samoan playwright Dianna Fuemana.

Sport

See also: Sport in Samoa

Samoa (blue) vs. South Africa in June 2007.

The main sports played in Samoa are rugby union, Samoan cricket and netball. Rugby union is the national football code of Samoa. In Samoan villages, volleyball is also popular.

Rugby union is the national sport in Samoa and the national team, nicknamed the Manu Samoa, is consistently competitive against teams from vastly more populous nations. Samoa has competed at every Rugby World Cup since 1991, and made the quarter finals in 1991, 1995 and the second round of the 1999 world cup. At the 2003 world cup, Manu Samoa came close to beating eventual world champions, England. Samoa also played in the Pacific Nations Cup and the Pacific Tri-Nations The sport is governed by the Samoa Rugby Football Union, who are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, and thus, also contribute to the international Pacific Islanders rugby union team.

At club level there is the National Provincial Championship and Pacific Rugby Cup Prominent Samoan players include Pat Lam and Brian Lima. In addition many Samoans have played for or are playing for the New Zealand All Blacks. They also took home the cup at Wellington and the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens in 2007—for which the Prime Minister of Samoa, also Chairman of the national rugby union, Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, declared a national holiday. They also were the IRB World Sevens Series Champions in 2010 capping a year of achievement for the Samoans, following wins in the USA, Australia, Hong Kong and Scotland Sevens tournaments.

Rugby league is mostly played by Samoans living in New Zealand and Australia, with Samoa reaching the quarter finals of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup made of players playing in the NRL and Superleague. Many Samoans and New Zealanders or Australians of Samoan descent play in the Super League and National Leagues in Britain. Francis Meli, Ta'ane Lavulavu of Workington Town, Maurie Fa'asavalu of St Helens and David Fatialofa of Whitehaven and Setima Sa who signed with London Irish rugby club. Other noteworthy players from Nz and Australia have represented the Samoan National team. There are only eight rugby league club in Samoa with only 125 player in the country.

Samoans have been very visible in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and sumo; some Samoan sumo wrestlers, most famously Musashimaru and Konishiki have reached the highest rank of Ozeki and yokozuna.

American football is occasionally played in Samoa, reflecting its wide popularity in American Samoa, where the sport is played under high school sanction. About 30 ethnic Samoans, many from American Samoa, currently play in the National Football League. A 2002 article from ESPN estimated that a Samoan male (either an American Samoan, or a Samoan living in the mainland United States) is 40 times more likely to play in the NFL than a non-Samoan American.

See also

• Outline of Samoa
• 1889 Apia cyclone
• 2009 Samoa Tsunami
• Archaeology in Samoa
• Commonwealth of Nations
• German Samoa
• LGBT rights in Samoa
• List of island countries
• Samoa, California
• SS Talune
• Transport in Samoa
• Time in Samoa

Further reading

A fale on Manono Island

• Watson, RM, History of Samoa (Wellington, 1918)
• Meleisea, Malama. The Making of Modern Samoa: Traditional Authority and Colonial Administration in the Modern History of Western Samoa. (Suva, 1987) Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific.
• Schnee, Dr. Heinrich (former Deputy Governor of German Samoa and last Governor of German East Africa). 1926. German Colonization, Past and Future—The Truth about the German Colonies. London: George Allen & Unwin.
• Eustis, Nelson. [1979] 1980. Aggie Grey of Samoa. Adelaide, South Australia: Hobby Investments. ISBN 0-9595609-0-4.
• Stevenson, Robert Louis. A Footnote to History: Eight Years of Trouble in Samoa. BiblioBazaar. ISBN 1-4264-0754-8.

External links

Government

• Government of Samoa
• Chief of State and Cabinet Members

General information

• "Samoa". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.
• University of Colorado from UCB Libraries GovPubs
• Template:Dmoz
• Samoa from the BBC News
• Wikimedia Atlas of Samoa
• Samoa Tourism Authority
• Template:Wikitravel
• Samoa, an external wiki
• Key Development Forecasts for Samoa from International Futures

Other

• Samoaworld.com, Online Samoan Dictionary