Geography-The independent country of Samoa consists of the two large islands of Upolu

and Savaii and 8 smaller islands located about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand in
the Polynesian region of the South Pacific. The island of Upolu is home to nearly threequarters of Samoa's population and its capital city of Apia
Dance- Dance Samoan dance today is a mixture of the old and the new, and they are very
distinctive in their style and movements from their Polynesian cousins around the Pacific.
The energy of the evening rises as the men perform the fa'ataupati, and heats up with the
siva afi, or fire knife dance, which is performed by young boys or men twirlling a large knife
with burning flames at both ends around their necks, through their legs, under their arms,
and over their bodies, to the rhythmic beat of the wooden drum. From the gentle and graceful
storytelling of the Siva performed by a young maiden, to the fast actions of the faataupati or slap
dance performed by the men, Samoans love to share their love of dance. The male performers
will wear traditional lavalava, and the women will wear puletasi, and all involved will be proud to
share their traditional culture with guests to Samoa
Food-In Samoan culture food is a social event that brings together family and friends to share
what bountiful wonders nature has provided. If youre out in the villages dining with a family, you
wont see the microwave and stoves, for out the back is a cooking fale where the umu (earth
oven of hot stones) is laid three times a day to cook the meals. No oils used here, fishing is
wrapped in banana leaves with freshly made coconut cream poured over, pork and chickens are
cooked whole and tucked in the gaps are taro and green bananas ready for baking and octopus
in coconut cream placed in half coconut shells. Then once the stones are red hot and the food
placed on them, banana leaves are placed all over the food to seal in the heat and two hours
later the umu is lifted, the piping hot food is served, no artificial flavours and additives used here
Guided by the stars, the Polynesian ancestors made their way across the Pacific in ocean-faring
canoes thousands of years ago. Samoas oldest known site of human occupation is Mulifanua on
the island of Upolu, which dates back to about 1000 BC (about 3000 years ago). Stonework
pyramids and mounds in star formation found throughout the islands have inspired various
theories from archaeologists about this stage of Samoan history.Over the millennia, the Samoan
people engaged in trade, battles and intermarriage of nobility with the neighbouring islands of Fiji
and Tonga. The interweaving of the cultures and bloodlines has helped strengthen the ties of
these South Pacific nations. European whalers and traders started to arrive in the late 1700s. By
far the most important agents of change in Samoa were the western missionaries, converting the
people from belief in Gods for the sun, earth, heavens and sea to the one God.

Music-The Polynesians are natural musicians and the Samoans are no exception. They love to
hear and sing good music. Robert Louis Stevenson once said that the Samoans composed a
song for every trivial occasion. . . Song is almost endless. The boatman sings at the oar, the
family and evening worship and the workman at his toil. No occasion is too small for the poets
and the musicians; a death, a visit, the day's news and pleasantries will be set to rhyme and
harmony.Older style dancing motions are slow, swaying and interpretive. Chants and old poems
are sung and recited on special occasions. They are often referred to in speeches and debates.
They are also used to figure the time of past historical events. The faataupati (clapping in
syncopation dance) is accompanied by ancient war songs and drums. Ancient and modern
Samoan dances do not use songs in three-four tempo. Most of the songs composed for single or

group dancers are in four-four and two-four tempos. Drums have often been used to accompany
the ancient dancers.
Art- The right to perform tattoos in Samoa can be traced back to a person's ancestors and if the
person's forefathers were known to be a member of a tattoo guild, then the person was permitted
by hereditary to enjoy the same privileges. An experienced tattooed artist trains apprentice
tattooers who worked under their supervision until they are allowed to perform independently.
The wife of the tattooer is also greatly honoured in her position of wiping the blood of the tattooed
person. She is known and addressed as the Meana'i (artist's helper). She is very well paid by the
family of the youth and at the completion of a job which normally takes more than three months,
she shares the payment and many gifts with her husband. Originally, tattooing of women in
Samoa was done only on women of rank. Because of this distinction, tattooing became very
popular among the youths of Samoa who considered tattoos to be a mark of their manhood.
Celebrations- The celebrations continue in the heart of the South Pacific as Samoa hosts the
biggest celebration of Polynesian culture the annual Teuila Festival. Named after the national
flower of Samoa, a species of ginger flower, the Teuila Festival is a celebration of all things
Samoan and Polynesian and is celebrated annually on the first week of September.
Kicking off on the 25th of August, the festival showcases numerous cultural activities such as
choral exhibitions and traditional entertainment such as the Siva Afi (fire knife dancing), wood
carving and tattoo demonstrations as well as the hugely popular Chiefs Fiafia island spectacular,
fronted by famous Samoan Chief Sielu Avea and his team of entertainers who have performed
for government leaders and some of the biggest names in show business. Samoa's international
paddling regatta Alo Paopao returns after the inaugural tournament last year.
This year paddlers from all over the South Pacific will make their way to Samoa to race at the
regatta. Also, the Scotsman's Trail makes a return. The run/swim challenge will once again see
participants traverse the resting place of famous author Robert Louis Stevenson over the Mount
Vaea ridge and run down towards the Apia Waterfront and wrap up with a swim in the harbour.
The Miss Samoa Pageant also takes place during the week and will end with the crowning of a
new Miss Samoa who will take over from Susana Fanueli and go on to represent the Treasured
Islands at the Miss South Pacific Pageant in Samoa in November.
This year's celebrations also feature the Ray of Hope Concert at Matautu Tai, along the Apia
Waterfront. Performers from Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa as well as local Samoan
acts feature as part of this years line up. The 24th annual Teuila Festival promises a week of fun
and entertainment for the whole family and marks Samoa as the cultural centre of the South
Pacific.
Legends- Then Immensity and Space brought forth offspring; they brought forth Po and Ao,
'Night and Day', and this couple was ordained by Tagaloa to produce the 'Eye of the Sky', (the
Sun). Again Immensity and Space brought forth Le-lagi (the sky); that is the Second Heavens; for
Tui-te'e-lagi went forth to prop it up and the sky became double; and Immensity and Space
remained there, and they peopled the sky. Then again Lagi (sky), brought forth, and Tui-te'e-lagi
went forth and propped it up; that was the Third Heavens; that was peopled by Immensity and
Space. Then Lagi bore again; that was the fourth Heavens. Tui-te'e-lagi went forth to prop it up;
that heaven also was peopled by llu and Mamao. Then Lagi bore again; that was the Fifth
Heavens. Then went forth Tui-te'e-lagi to prop it up; that heaven also was peopled by llu and
Mamao. Lagi brought forth again, that was the Sixth Heavens. And Tui-te'e-fagi went and
propped it up; that heaven was peopled by Ilu and Mamao. Then Lagi bore again that was the

Seventh Heavens. And Tui-te'e-lagi went forth and propped it up; that heaven was peopled by llu
and Mamao. Then Lagi again brought forth; that was called the Eighth Heavens. Tui-te'e-lagi
went to prop up that heaven and that heaven was peopled by Ilu and Mamao. Then again Lagi
brought forth; that was the Ninth Heavens; and it was propped up by Tui-te'e-lagi; and that
heaven was peopled by Ilu and Mamao; then ended the productiveness of Ilu and Mamao; it
reached to the Ninth Heavens.
Customs-The term "fine mat" is not an accurate English translation for the word Ie-Toga, the
most valued possession of the royal families of Samoa. It fails to describe the true value of the
sacred ceremonial robe as the Samoans see it. Ie-Toga is never used as a mat; it never was and
it will never be. It is often said among the Europeans that a person can buy anything with money,
and that is true in many cases. But the Samoans can buy several acres of land and save a
condemned man with one Ie-Toga. Besides those, there are now among the royalties of Samoa
very old Ie-o-le-Malo (government-approved robes) that can never be bought with money.
The wealth of the chief is measured according to the number of Ie-Togas he has and the history
attached to each robe in his collection. It is the most precious medium of exchange in Samoa
according to the Samoans. Valuables belonging to kings and high chiefs while they were alive
have been buried with them in their graves when they passed away, even if they were made of
gold or diamonds, according to an ancient custom. The Ie-Toga has never been subjected to that
treatment. Burying of Ie-Toga with the dead has never been permitted.