The Samoan Islands are an archipelago covering 3,030 km2 (1,170 sq mi) in the central South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia and the wider region of Oceania. Administratively, the archipelago comprises all of the Independent State of Samoa and most of American Samoa(apart from Swains Island, which is geographically part of the Tokelau Islands).In the late 1800s, rivalry between the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom resulted in the Tripartite Convention (1899) that formally partitioned the Samoan archipelago into a German colony (German Samoa) and a United States territory (American Samoa). Forerunners to that convention were the Washington Conference of 1887, the Treaty of Berlin of 1889, and the Anglo-German Agreement on Samoa of 1899. New Zealand occupied the German colony through 1920, then governed the western islands until independence in 1962, first as League of Nations Class C Mandate[6] and after 1946 as a United Nations Trust Territory. The pro-independence Mau movement across the islands eventually led to the political independence of the western islands from New Zealand in 1962 while the eastern islands remain a political territory of the United States.
Samoa (/səˈmoʊə/), officially the Independent State of Samoa (Samoan: Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa; Samoan: Sāmoa, IPA: [ˈsaːmoa]) and, until 4 July 1997, known as Western Samoa, is a country consisting of two main islands, Savai'i and Upolu, and four smaller islands. The capital city is Apia. The Lapita people discovered and settled the Samoan Islands around 3,500 years ago. They developed a unique Samoan language and Samoan cultural identity. Samoa is a unitary parliamentary democracy with eleven administrative divisions. The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Western Samoa was admitted to the United Nations on 15 December 1976. The entire island group, which includes American Samoa, was called "Navigator Islands" by European explorers before the 20th century because of the Samoans' seafaring skills.
Samoa (/səˈmoʊə/), officially the Independent State of Samoa (Samoan: Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa; Samoan: Sāmoa, IPA: [ˈsaːmoa]) and, until 4 July 1997, known as Western Samoa, is a country consisting of two main islands, Savai'i and Upolu, and four smaller islands. The capital city is Apia. The Lapita people discovered and settled the Samoan Islands around 3,500 years ago. They developed a unique Samoan language and Samoan cultural identity. Samoa is a unitary parliamentary democracy with eleven administrative divisions. The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Western Samoa was admitted to the United Nations on 15 December 1976. The entire island group, which includes American Samoa, was called "Navigator Islands" by European explorers before the 20th century because of the Samoans' seafaring skills.
american samoa
- Pago Pago (/ˈpɑːŋɡoʊˈpɑːŋɡoʊ/ PAHNG-goh-PAHNG-goh; Samoan: [ˈpaŋo ˈpaŋo])[3] is the territorial capital of American Samoa. It is in Maoputasi County on the main island of American Samoa, Tutuila. It is home to one of the deepest natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered from wind and rough seas, and strategically located.[4][5]:52[6]:12 The harbor is also one of the best protected in the South Pacific,[7]:11which gives American Samoa a natural advantage with respect to landing fish for processing.[7]:61 Tourism, entertainment, food, and tuna canning are its main industries. Pago Pago was the world's fourth largest tuna processor as of 1993.[8]:353 It was home to two of the largest tuna companies in the world: Chicken of the Sea and StarKist, which exported an estimated $445 million in canned tuna to the U.S. mainland. The letter "g" in Samoan sounds like "ng"; thus Pago Pago is pronounced "Pango Pango."[25][26][27][28][29][30] An early name for Pago Pago was Long Bay (Samoan: O le Fagaloa), which was a name used by the first permanent inhabitants to settle in the Pago Pago area.[24]:26[31][32]:123 It was also called O le Maputasi ("The Single Chief’s House") in compliment to the Mauga, who lived at Gagamoe in Pago Pago and was the senior to all the other chiefs in the area.
- The strategic location of Pago Pago Bay played a direct role in the political separation of Western and Eastern Samoa. The initial reason for the U.S.’ interest in Tutuila was the desire to use Pago Pago Harbor as a coaling station.[24]:30–31 The town is also the southernmost U.S. capital, and the only one located in the Southern Hemisphere.
royalty and nobles
- Two great families comprise what may be termed the aristocracy of Samoa: Sa Malietoa, and Sa Tupua. For a great length of time, the title of Tupu (Sovereign) was confined to members of the latter since the reign of Queen Salamasina.On the death of the Safe-o-fafine, the last king in the Sa Tupua line, the title remained in abeyance for a long time, as the line of succession was broken after Atua's defeat in war and the seat of power moved from Lufilufi to its new seat in Manono.The new malo was led by the Manono high chief Lei'ataua Lelologa, His son Tamafaiga, succeeded him and assumed the attributes of a god as well as those of a king. He was actually worshipped as a god and developed into a tyrant. In the hope of escaping from his tyranny, the people of A'ana conferred their title of Tui A'ana upon him, but only to further smart under his oppressive rule. Whereas the Tonumaipe'a clan had earlier taken all the royal titles and left the districts to run their own affairs, the reverse happened in Manono's case. The Manono/Tonumaipe'a party ignored the royal titles but took the malo (executive power). This was a political move, as claiming the Tafa'ifa was irrelevant to the substance of power and would only validate his defeated foes' traditional authority to distribute patronage.And so for the first time for many generations, the dignity passed from the family of Fonoti and thus from the line of the ancient Queen Salamasina. A'ana not only lost the prestige it had so long held in this connection but the royal residence no longer was situated in the province, the new king continuing to reside on Manono. As his tyranny increased, in like proportion increased the hatred of the people of A'ana, and at length they rose against him and he was killed in 1829. This was just before John Williams, whose name is a shining light in the annals of missionary enterprise, visited Samoa for the first time. A bloody war ensued and A'ana's power was broken and the district laid waste.
vaiusu
- The Vaiusu port site is located close to the country's main Apia port in Matautu, which has recently been expanded with financial aid from Japan.https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/samoa-to-shelve-china-backed-port-project-under-new-leader
people
- Mata'afa Faumuina Fiame Mulinu'u I (died 27 March 1948)[1] was a high chief of Samoa and a leader of the country's pro-independence Mau movement during the early 1900s. He was the holder of high-ranking ali'i chiefly titles: the Tama-a-'aiga Mata'afa, Fiame from Lotofaga and Faumuina from Lepea.Mulinu'u was a civil servant, rising to the position of Inspector of Police.[2] He became the President of the Mau following the assassination of its leader, paramount chief Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III in 1929.[3] He was one of the wounded during a peaceful Mau procession in the capital Apia on 28 December 1929 when New Zealand police fired into the crowd and resulting in a day of violence that saw up to 11 Samoans and a New Zealand constable killed.[4][5] The date is referred to as Black Saturday in Samoa's history.
- Fiame Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II CBE (5 August 1921 – 20 May 1975) was a Western Samoan paramount chief and politician. The holder of the Mataʻafa title, one of the four main Samoan chieftainships, he became the first Prime Minister of Western Samoa in 1959, serving until 1970. He held the position again from 1973 until his death in 1975.Mata'afa was born in 1921, the son of Paramount Chief Mata'afa Faumuina Fiame Mulinu'u I. He was educated at the Marist Brothers school in Apia. He married Laulu Fetauimalemau Mata'afa, a teacher educated in New Zealand and who later became Samoa's High Commissioner (1993–1997) to New Zealand. He was bestowed with the Fiame title in 1948,[2] and also became a Faumuina. When his father died in 1948, he acceded to the Mata'afa title. He was a senior grade rugby player and President of the Western Samoan Boys' Brigade.After it was agreed in the 1954 Constitutional Convention that two of the four paramount chiefs, Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole and Malietoa Tanumafili II, should be made joint heads of state for life, he announced that he would withdraw from public life.[4] However, he later backed down and contested the 1957 elections to the Legislative Assembly, winning the Lotofaga seat.Following the elections, Mata'afa was appointed to the Executive Council as Minister of Agriculture.[5] When formal cabinet government was introduced in 1959, he became the first Prime Minister, defeating Leader of Government Business Eugene Paul and Tualaulelei Mauri in a vote.[3] He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1960 Queen's Birthday Honours.
- Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa (born 1957) is a Samoan politician and High Chiefess (matai) who is serving as the leader of the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party. She was Samoa's first female Cabinet Minister, and from 2016 to 2020 served as Samoa's first female Deputy Prime Minister. She is the daughter of Fiame Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II, Samoa's former Prime Minister. Mataʻafa was educated at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School and Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.[2] She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in the 1985 election,[4] representing the constituency of Lotofaga previously held by her mother. She has been re-elected in every election since, and is one of the longest-serving members of Parliament.Her father, Fiame Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II, a paramount chief, was the first Prime Minister of Samoa. Her mother, Laulu Fetauimalemau Mataʻafa, was a diplomat, educator and politician.[6] Her maternal grandfather, Le Mamea Matatumua Ata was one of the framers of the Samoan constitution.She was studying at university in New Zealand when she was recalled by her ʻaiga (extended family) to take up one of her father's matai titles, Fiame from Lotofaga.[2]
Her mother, Laulu Fetaui, had entered parliament in 1975 from the constituency of Lotofaga, following her husband's death. On Laulu Fetaui's retirement from politics Fiame Naomi contested the seat and was elected.Mataʻafa is a member of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Lotofaga.
- Napoleon A. Tuiteleleapaga (II) (May 25, 1904 – December 25, 1988) was a prominent figure of the both Western and American Samoa. He was a lawyer, author, amateur poet and musician from Leone, Tutuila, American Samoa. He is best known for composing the American Samoan anthem.
societal structure
- Fa'amatai is the chiefly system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society. It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in the both Samoas, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa. The term comprises the prefix fa'a (Samoan for "in the way of") and the word matai (family name or title).Of central importance in the system are the matai,[2] the holders of family chief titles, and their role in looking after their family. Fa'amatai is the key socio-political system of governance and way of life (fa'a Samoa) in Samoan culture. Inherent in the fa'amatai system is the welfare and well-being of the extended family ('aiga) and the protection of family property, consisting most importantly of customary land. About 81% (567,000 acres), is under customary ownership, with the rest under the national government (malo) as public lands with another 4% freehold.At the apex of this system are the four major title holders – Tupua Tamasese, Malietoa, Mata'afa, Tuimaleali'ifano - known as the Tama-a-Aiga ('sons of the families') that afford them leadership over the royal families of Samoa. All heads of state of Samoa have been one of the four title holders. In addition, these four paramount chiefs are often accorded pāpā titles - titles that indicate sovereignty or leadership over a designated territory or kinship network. These titles are Tui Atua, Tui A'ana, Gatoaitele and Vaetamasoalii. The Tui Atua is currently held by Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, former Prime Minister and Head of State of Samoa. The Gatoaitele title is currently held by Savea Sano Malifa, a respected journalist and owner of the Samoa Observer Newspaper. There are no official holders of the other two pāpā titles. In Samoas system of traditional monarchy (Not a Western Monarchy style), holding all four Tafa-ifa royal titles, makes for the position of Tupu Tafa-ifa (king or queen (Tui/Tupu o Samoa)).In the 49-seat Legislative Assembly of Samoa, all 47 Samoan members are also matai, performing dual roles as chiefs and modern politicians, with the exception of the two seats reserved for non-Samoans.The 2006 census of Samoa identified 15.783 matai out of a total population of 180.741 (8,7%); 12.589 (79.8%) were male and 3.194 (20.2%) were female.
Samoa's chiefly system revolves around family and extended clans of kinship ('aiga), based on the culture's communal and extended family relationships. The term 'aiga includes not only the immediate family (father, mother and children), but also the whole union of families of a clan and even those who although not related are subject to the family control.At the local level, much of the country's civil and criminal matters are dealt with by some 360 village chief councils, Fono o Matai, according to traditional law, a practice further strengthened by the 1990 Village Fono Law.Most Samoans live in villages consisting of groups of families with close ties and history. The influence of the matai is felt not only in the village but also in the district and even beyond. The active factor in the life of the village is the village council or fono o matai and its members are the matai. The fono of matai is the executive and judicial authority of every village in Samoa. If a matter is of importance the assembly is held on the malae, the open space in front of the village.
- By definition, the ‘aumaga is a group of taulele’a(untitled men) in a Samoan village. It is one of the few social/gender-based groups in a typical village. The aumaga’s main role involves rendering the tautua (service) to the matai (chiefs/titled persons). The taulele’a (plural; singular: taule’ale’a) are similar to the vassals of the feudal system during the Middle Ages, with the matais as lords.
When the chiefs meet, usually in council, the ‘aumaga would sit “in-waiting” outside and around the house where the meeting is held. They would cook and prepare other things needed for the meeting. Most, if not all, members of the ‘aumaga are adult men who are school dropouts or did not have the opportunity - for one reason or another - to continue their formal education. For some families, they handpick a certain male early in his life to "tausi le aiga" (take care of the family) and eventually join the ‘aumaga. Generally, the aumaga do not have jobs; instead they labor exclusively in executing their family and village responsibilities. http://malaeoletalu.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-aumaga-poor-powerless-and-immobile.html- role of women https://spccfpstore1.blob.core.windows.net/digitallibrary-docs/files/e3/e32956abce6bd3a6268efec1f6f474a2.pdf
The Taualuga is a traditional Samoan dance, considered the apex of Samoan performance art forms and the centerpiece of the Culture of Samoa. This dance form has been adopted and adapted throughout western Polynesia, most notably in the Kingdom of Tonga, Uvea, Futuna, and Tokelau.[1] The renowned Tongan version is called the tau'olunga.
- The word Taualuga in Samoan refers to the last stage of traditional house building in which the topmost rafter was secured to the building (fale), signifying the completion of construction.[2] The term "taualuga" symbolizes the conclusion of a monumental task and the beautifying final touches involved. The dance is frequently performed as the grand finale of an evening of entertainment or as the concluding number at Samoan wedding receptions, social functions, and other festivities. Traditionally, the Taualuga is performed by the son or daughter of a chief. Each village in Samoa is autonomous and led by a council of matai referred to as the 'village fono.' The daughter of a high chief in a village is known as a "taupou" or "sa'o'aualuma" when they perform public ceremonial roles; the male equivalent is known as the "manaia", or "sa'o'aumaga." However, Taupou in certain districts consist of important individual female names or titles under Samoa's traditional social hierarchy and form of governance, the Fa'amatai chiefly system. This dance is sacred to the Samoan people and traditionally only virgins were allowed to perform it. Today virginity is not necessarily a prerequisite and although older adults and even teenage mothers are occasionally seen performing the final dance, a strong preference for unmarried performers is still the norm. The manaia could perform the Taualuga if the High Chief had no daughters, but the performance of a chief's son was often in jest; a manaia's performance was not held to the same strict standards of elegance and refinement required of a taupou and did not hold the same sociocultural significance of that of the taupou.[6] The taupou held the role of "sa'o'aualuma" or the leader of the unmarried women of the community; she was accompanied by a retinue of her peers wherever she went and was constantly under the protective watch of designated "tausi" or older women of the village whose sole responsibility was to preserve the virtue and reputation of their chief's prized daughter. The taupou was raised from youth in the arts of hospitality, cultural rituals and ceremonies, chiefly protocol and demeanor, and the intricacies of the fine arts of dancing, the pinnacle of which was the taualuga.
electricity
- The General Manager of Samoa’s Electric Power Corporation has confirmed that Samoa’s power supply is in a “State of Emergency” and that the nation should prepare for more power cuts and a nation-wide rationing of electricity supply.The whole of Upolu experienced an unexpected power outage for several hours on Monday afternoon when lightning damaged two of the four generators at Fiaga Diesel Power Plant, which generates 85 million kilowatts per hour annually, which is 65% of Samoa’s national power generation.https://www.samoanews.com/regional/samoas-electricity-supply-state-emergency
language
- http://samoanforkids.blogspot.com/2019/03/go-team-amerika-samoasamoa.html
history
- The Samoan Crisis was a standoff between the United States, Imperial Germany, and the United Kingdom from 1887–1889 over control of the Samoan Islands during the Samoan Civil War. The incident involved three United States Navy warships (the sloop-of-war USS Vandalia, the screw steamerUSS Trenton, and the gunboat USS Nipsic) and three Imperial German Navy warships (the gunboats SMS Adler and SMS Eber and the corvette SMS Olga), keeping each other at bay over several months in Apia harbour, which was monitored by the British corvette HMS Calliope. The standoff ended when a cyclone on 15 and 16 March wrecked all six warships in the harbour. Calliope was able to escape the harbour and survived the storm. Robert Louis Stevenson did not witness the storm and its aftermath at Apia but did, after his arrival in Samoa (December 1889) write about the event. The Samoan Civil War continued, involving Germany, United States and Britain, eventually resulting, via the Tripartite Convention of 1899, in the partition of the Samoan Islands into American Samoa and German Samoa.
chinese
- 太平洋島國薩摩亞上周六發生殺人血案，四名中國籍商人遭持刀入屋匪徒襲擊，一人死亡，三人受傷。警方正展開調查，搜捕疑犯。這次已是今年第二宗中國商人在薩摩亞遇襲的事件。今年二月，一對在維洛阿·法萊塔經營超市的中國夫婦，遭兩名歹徒襲擊，並被劫去約二萬七千美元（約二十一萬港元）。https://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/china_world/20191015/00178_022.html-大洋洲國家薩摩亞即將上任的首位女總理馬塔法（Fiame Naomi Mataafa，圖）近日表示，將爭取擱置由中國支持、價值1億美元（約7.8億港元）的港口發展項目，指當地對中國的負債沉重，項目超出一個太平洋島國的負荷，但強調想與中國保持良好的關係。該項目計劃在維尤蘇灣（Vaiusu Bay）興建碼頭。馬塔法指薩摩亞是一個小國，很難想像當地需要一個如此大規模的工程，有其他更緊急的事情需要政府處理；又指對中國的負債問題，是選民關注之一。薩摩亞人口約有20萬，中國是其最大的債主，當地有約四成、即1.6億美元（約12.5億港元）的債務來自中國。已經在位20年的前總理圖伊萊帕被北京視為緊密盟友，他曾表示中國資助的項目可以創造職位，推動貿易及旅遊，但港口的設計和資金安排一直未有公開。該項目在當地引起爭議，影響上月大選，外界認為是圖伊萊帕所屬政黨失去國會多數黨地位的原因之一。https://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/china_world/20210521/00178_005.html
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