Travel the Pacific - Samoa

TALOFA!

Samoans call their islands ‘The Treasured Islands of the South Pacific’, with age-old customs and traditions that are still part of everyday life and where time slows from the normal pace of modern life. After all, as the western-most country in the world, according to the date line, it is the last nation to see the new day. But Samoa is also modernising and increasing its tourist accommodation and opening its arms to welcome more visitors to its beautiful islands.

14 April 2008
Samoa Tourism Honoured in 12th Annual Webby Awards

The “Oscars of the Internet” recognized the Samoa Tourism website for its outstanding work setting standard for the Internet, using clean design and simple navigation to let the gorgeous destination of Samoa speak for itself.
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March 26th 2008
PACIFIC BEAUTY SHOWCASE - Issue 24
2007-2008 Miss South Pacific - Apia Samoa

The Miss South Pacific pageant has celebrated its 20th anniversary of promoting Pacific women and tourism with last November’s event in Apia, Samoa showcasing just how far the event has evolved.
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November 29th 2007
Issue 22 Feature
Mystical Manase

Tucked away on the northern coast of Savai’i are a throng of beach fale resorts that have quietly become one of Samoa’s best kept secrets. While visiting his mother, PETER REES attempts to unravel the mystique and secrets of the village of Manase.
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Issue 22 Columnists -SAMOA
From ‘kikaka’ to café latte

As Samoa begins to modernise its hospitality industry, nothing epitomises this mindset shift more than the emerging café culture in downtown Apia. CHERELLE JACKSON reports.
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Issue 21 Travel feature
Samoa in the spotlight

As Samoa braces to host the South Pacific Games and Teuila Festival in August/September, PETER REES takes a closer look at how the country has prepared for one of the biggest events in its history and what to expect.
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Returning to Samoa

TUSIATA AVIA has traveled all corners of the globe. But returning to the land of her father in Samoa remains a unique experience for the Christchurch-born award-winning poet.
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Issue 21 Travel Feature
Photo Essay: Te Wa - The traditional Canoe of Kiribati

Anthropologist TONY WHINCUP has spent more than 30 years photographing in Kiribati. In our latest photo essay, courtesy of Pacificfocus.org we present his documentation of the traditional canoe from the vast atoll nation.
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Samoa’s cluster of 10 beautiful volcanic islands span a land area of 2,935 km2 and are surrounded by a fringe of coral reefs and lagoons.

The islands boast rugged mountainous interiors of untouched rainforests, tumbling waterfalls, steep gorges and spring-fed pools and streams. The sweeping white coastlines are decorated by villages, coconut plantations and palm trees.

The largest of Samoa’s islands are Savai’i and Upolu where lies the capital Apia, the main political and commercial centre.

Early Samoan history is thought to have begun about 1000BC, judging by the ancient human remains that can be found scattered among the islands.

Early migration is believed to have come from the west; the East Indies, the Malay Peninsula or the Philippines.

European involvement on Samoa began with Louis de Bouganville in 1768, who named his discovery the ‘Navigator Islands’. European trade with Samoa then proceeded before the arrival of the Missionaries in 1828. These Missionaries proved greatly influential on the Samoans who, to this day, remain a devotedly religious people.

Western Samoa became a German colony in 1899 (the United States colonised the eastern islands and is now known as American Samoa), but during World War One, New Zealand took administrational control.

In 1962 Western Samoa became the first South Pacific country to gain independence under a constitutional monarchy. In 1996 the country became officially known as Samoa.

Samoa’s heritage spans more than 2000 years and provides a wealth of traditional beliefs and customs that are still very much respected in present times. Despite outside influences, Samoans are intensely proud and respectful of the way of life that has played a vital role in the lives of their ancestors, and that which now plays a vital role in their every day lives.

These traditional values are named Fa’a Samoa – The Samoan Way. Fa’a Samoa has a strong emphasis on the role of family and respect, governing the obligations individuals hold for their family, community and church. Within each extended Samoan family (aiga), a single person is acknowledged as the chief or matai. Those in positions of authority are given unquestioned respect and the people in charge of welfare and leadership of their family is honoured by everyone.

Dance and sport are two key areas that make up the rich fabric of Samoan culture both within the islands and where Samoans have settled elsewhere. Traditional dance (called siva) such as the Taualuga and the Sasa are widely performed and learnt whilst rugby and the Manu Samoa team is highly respected in and outside of Samoa. Kirikiti, the Samoan version of circket, is also frequently played at social gatherings. 

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