Fa’a Samoa – the Samoan Way
30 June 2019 | Apia Samoa
Ian Steele
Fa'a Samoa - the Samoan Way
Samoa is a traditional Polynesian society with Fa'a Samoa playing a vital role in village and community life. Samoans are proud of their strong Fa'a Samoa - which means 'the Samoan Way'. It is the essence of the Samoan culture and dictates how Samoans are meant to behave and their obligations to their elders, superiors, family, community, church and the environment.
There are over 362 nu'u or villages in Samoa with a total of 18,00 matais (chiefs).
Churches of various denominations feature in every village while meeting houses and open fales or homes encircle the malae or village green.
Fa'a Samoa has a strong focus on welcoming visitors making Samoans friendly and hospitable hosts. However, Samoans expect their guests to observe and respect local customs.
We visited this most interesting introduction to the Samoan Culture including, traditional dancing, a Cava ceremony, tattoo demonstration, wood carving, tapa cloth preparation and painting and of course enjoyed some Samoan food prepared in the traditional Umu as we toured the village.
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