What is the Samoan culture known for?
Samoan culture is rich with traditions. One well known tradition is the tatau, or Samoan tattooing. In Western culture, tattoos are often considered a form of adornment or self-expression, rather like clothing styles. In Samoa, the tatau has a deeper, historical significance.
What are some traditions in Samoa?
Think traditional Siva dancing, fire knife dancing, tattooing and carving demonstrations, Umu demonstrations (underground Samoan oven cooking), the annual Flower Float Parade, the popular Fautasi race (iconic Samoan boat race), and the crowning of Miss Samoa.
What kind of traditional art do they have that causes pain in Samoa?
Getting a pe’a is an intense and painful experience compared to tattoos made by modern toolsthe tattoo machine. Not only are these tattoos very large, but they can extend to very sensitive parts of the body. The men in the Samoa islands got their first tattoo during the beginning of puberty.
What is a Samoan dress called?
The puletasi (Samoa) or puletaha (Tonga) is a traditional item of clothing worn by Samoan, Tongan, and Fijian women and girls. Today, puletasi is used as female full dress. It is most commonly worn to church and formal cultural events.
What is important to Samoan culture?
Governed by Fa’a Samoa which can be translated to ‘The Samoan Way’, the culture is heavily focused on family, respect of elders and being of service to others. The three structural elements to Fa’a Samoa are the matai (chiefs), aiga (extended family), and the church.
What is the culture like in Samoa?
The traditional culture of Samoa is a communal way of life based on Fa’a Samoa, the unique socio-political culture. In Samoan culture, most activities are done together. The traditional living quarters, or fale (houses), contain no walls and up to 20 people may sleep on the ground in the same fale.
What are the Samoan values?
Within the family, giving and receiving tautua (service), fa’aaloalo (respect) and alofa (love) are crucial in Samoan social relations. Young people are expected to serve and show respect to elders, and can expect to receive love, protection, honour, a name to be proud of, and defence by the family when it is needed.
What are some Samoan beliefs?
Samoans traditionally had a pantheistic religion, where family elders would perform most rituals. Missionaries introduced Christianity in the country in the early 19th century. Their profound impact on Samoa has become particularly evident in the religious landscape of contemporary society.
What are the traditions in Samoa?
Samoan culture is rich with traditions. One well known tradition is the tatau, or Samoan tattooing. In Western culture, tattoos are often considered a form of adornment or self-expression, rather like clothing styles. In Samoa, the tatau has a deeper, historical significance.
What do Samoans do in their free time?
With the beautiful landscapes of Samoan islands, also comes the fun, jovial and happy-go-lucky nature of the Samoan people. Their form of entertainment includes singing songs, dancing and enjoying great delicacies. Dances include the synchronized Sasa routine, the graceful Siva dance and the knife-fire dances.
What is a traditional Samoan funeral?
The funeral service is typically at a church and involves a lot of praying and singing. Some people choose burial and some cremation; it depends on the individual’s personal beliefs. Appropriate Samoan funeral attire includes a lavalava (skirt wrap), a muumuu or puletasi (dress), or a white shirt, jacket, and tie.
What is the importance of the Samoan culture?
Adhering to fa’a Samoa brings a sense of pride and respect as well as social cohesion within the Samoan community. Fa’a Samoa is holistic, meaning that Samoan culture is often understood as encompassing nearly all facets of life. For many, adhering to fa’a Samoa is closely associated with honouring one’s family.
What is Samoan art called?
Think traditional Siva dancing, fire knife dancing, tattooing and carving demonstrations, Umu demonstrations (underground Samoan oven cooking), the annual Flower Float Parade, the popular Fautasi race (iconic Samoan boat race), and the crowning of Miss Samoa.
Why do Samoans tattoo their thighs?
siapo
What is Samoan tattoo?
The traditional female tattoo is the malu and means to be protected and sheltered. It’s applied from the knees up to the top of the thighs. Both male and female tattoos show that you are ready for life, for adulthood, and to be of service to their community.
What is the Samoan dress called?
puletasi
What is a Samoan Puletasi?
Overview. This is a puletasi – a formal yet elegant Samoan dress worn for a variety of occasions by women. It consists of an ‘ie lava lava with straps that tie around the waist with a blouse and matching jacket.
What are three examples of clothes Samoa?
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.
What are the Samoan beliefs?
Adhering to fa’a Samoa brings a sense of pride and respect as well as social cohesion within the Samoan community. Fa’a Samoa is holistic, meaning that Samoan culture is often understood as encompassing nearly all facets of life. For many, adhering to fa’a Samoa is closely associated with honouring one’s family.
How do we respect Samoan culture?
The vast majority of the Samoan population identify with some form of Christianity. According to 2016 estimates, over half the population (54.9%) identify with a Protestant sect of Christianity.
Why is family important in Samoan culture?
Avoid wearing any revealing clothing when walking through villages. Women should take particular care to avoid showing their knees and shoulders. There is an evening prayer curfew in most villages (usually between 6pm and 7pm). During this time, most families will say family prayers.
What is unique about Samoan culture?
Governed by Fa’a Samoa which can be translated to ‘The Samoan Way’, the culture is heavily focused on family, respect of elders and being of service to others. The three structural elements to Fa’a Samoa are the matai (chiefs), aiga (extended family), and the church.
What are American Samoa traditions?
Samoan culture is rich with traditions. One well known tradition is the tatau, or Samoan tattooing. In Western culture, tattoos are often considered a form of adornment or self-expression, rather like clothing styles. In Samoa, the tatau has a deeper, historical significance.
What are the care values of Samoa culture?
Governed by Fa’a Samoa which can be translated to ‘The Samoan Way’, the culture is heavily focused on family, respect of elders and being of service to others. The three structural elements to Fa’a Samoa are the matai (chiefs), aiga (extended family), and the church.
What is the most important part of Samoan culture?
Samoans uphold a high standard of honor in the family, and children are taught very early on to take care of the family name and not to tarnish it in any way. Faaaloalao is an important part of keeping this honor. Therefore it remains with the people no matter where they travel or wherever they live.
