Samoan

SamoanBy: 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