Photos of the People of Samoa

The Samoans are Polynesians and although they share links with other Polynesian people having similar culture and language, they are unique to the Samoan islands although the majority now lives abroad, especially in the United States (mainly from American Samoa), New Zealand and Australia. They were the first to claim complete independence from colonialism and follow their own way, combining a modern government with traditional forms of governance.

Samoans are a strong, resilient and handsome people, very hospitable and kind to visitors. When walking along their open "fale" in the villages or countryside, the visitor is very often invited to sit down, have a rest and eat and drink; "Koko Samoa" is a popular drink to be shared, although cacao was introduced in the 1800s by German planters, it is now a national drink, made of ground cacao with hot water and sugar.

The "fa'a Samoa", the traditional Samoan way, remains strong and the extended family or "aiga" gives the certainty to belong. Respect for elders is ingrained and the old people stay active in family life. Traditional tattooing has made a comeback since independence in spite of the devotion of the Samoan people with which they go to church; missionaries disapproved of this custom of course. And a get-together quite spontaneously becomes a "fia fia" where people sing and dance and genuinely be happy.