Samoan

By: Brooke Orozco

 Religion
• The main religions in Samoa are of a Christian nature, Congregational, Catholic,
Methodist, Assembly of God, Seven Day Adventist, Bahai, the Latter Day Saints
and Jehovah's Witness.
• Prior to Christianity the Samoan practiced a religion that involved ancestor
worship as well as the worship of a variety of gods. Nafanua, the goddess of war
had predicted that a day would come when a new religion would destroy the old
Gods, and as a result of this prophecy the first missionaries to arrive on the island
found some very easy converts.
• Today, religion is an integral part of Samoan life, so much so that it is
incorporated in their nations motto, Samoa is founded on God. Daily prayer time
is practised in all villages and is called for by the sound of bells or horns. AT this
time the village matai's (chiefs) surround the village to ensure this time is
respected by passers by, comanding respect and reverence for the practice of
prayer. If passing through or visiting a village at this time you must show your
respect by not entering the village but sitting quietly outside until the prayers are
finished.
 Clothing
• Samoa clothing bears the essence of traditionalism. In Samoa clothing, which is a part of the whole
cultural pattern of Samoa, distinctive dressing patterns can be noticed. Traditionally, Samoa clothing
for the women are a kind of wrapping up dress and men also can use them. Like clothing, tattooing
is also another part of Samoa ornamentation. This tattooing can be done by both men and women.

Samoan clothing for men and women are known by several names. Some of the popular Samoan
clothing are Puletasi, lava lava and some others. While puletasi is exclusively a female dress in
Samoa, lava lava can be worn by both men and women. Lava lava is a kind of sarong that the
Samoan people wore by wrapping up the body. Puletasi is also a wrap up type of clothing in Samoa.
This dress covers the full body and usually wore by the Samoan young girls. Puletasi is also a very
traditional dress that is worn generally in the traditional Samoa occasions. Moreover, for going to
church also, Samoan girls wear this special dress.

Lava lava is another traditional Samoan dress. This dress is worn by both the Samoan men and
women. Usually this is used in the lower body part and is accompanied by jacket in the upper body
part. Lava lava can be used in both school and business purposes. There are several names of this
dress. In Malay this types of dress is known as Sarong while in Tahiti it is known as Pareu. Tourist
should not use short pattern of dresses in Samoaas that is not part of the culture of this country.
 Food
• Theres taro *like potato*
• Luau *banana leaves with coconut cream and onions cooked in and
underground oven called a UMU*
• Chop Suey
• Supoesi *mashed pawpaw with coconut milk and mashed cocoa*
• Most samoan food have coconut cream and corned beef.
• Samoa imports a lot of food from both the US and New Zealand. So
things like chocolate are readily available (there's also a chocolate
factory in Samoa). A lot of families in Samoa live off their land and
there's an abundance of plantations that grow banana's, taro,
breadfruit, yams, and pineapples (I'm sure there are more but I cant
remember them all off the top of my head). There are chicken, pig &
cattle farms in Samoa also. And of course, there's the seafood! YUM!
 Dance
• Samoan dance is possibly the one area of Samoan culture
which has been least affected by contact with western
civilsation. Whereas Samoan music has adopted guitars
and other musical instruments, dance, which relies solely
upon the performers body (with some exceptions - fire
dance, knife dance, etc) still requires the performer to
retain grace and move their arms and hands in the
approved fashion. However, Samoans who are members
of the Seventh Day Adventist church do not practice
Samoan dancing because it is proscribed by their religion.
 Tattoos
•samoan tattoos mean a lot of things some tell stories and times that
they or their family’s have been through but most people these days
get tattoos to show honor or pride for there samoan heratige and so
they should. many people get it because they have to carry on a
tradition passed down from generation to generation.
•It depends. A traditional Samoan tattoo design can be passed down
from generations in a family and/or village. Back in the old days,
each family and village in Samoa had their own design to distinguish
themselves from other villagers and families. All traditional Samoan
tattoos come with a meaning and/or symbolism of some sort.
Whether it tells the story of ones ancestors or the story of the dreams
of the families' future.
Work