Samoa Become a Disney Travel Agent Near Me

The nation that was once called Western Samoa is now simply Samoa. Sometimes it's also referred to as independent Samoa, a particularly apt name for this Polynesian island group, where people still very much go their own way, as they have for more than three millennia.

Indeed, life in this widely scattered group of islands is deeply rooted in the ways of ancient Polynesian culture. The older residents have struggled hard to preserve the traditional Fa'a Samoa, or Samoan way, which along with beautiful beaches and colorful lagoons makes these islands well worth a visit.

When Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island, arrived in Samoa in the late 1800s, he planned to stay only a few days. But he was so intrigued by the place that he remained there until he died. Samoa has changed since then, but it is far less commercialized than its eastern neighbor, American Samoa. You might not want to live out your life there, but you'll surely be sad to leave.

Geography

History

Legend holds that the Samoan islands were the home of the original Polynesians 3,000 years ago, and local residents claim to be the purest of all the Polynesian civilizations (DNA evidence points to modern-day Taiwan as their likely origin).

Except for a 300-year occupation by Tongans, the Samoans were undisturbed until British missionary John Williams landed on Savai'i in 1830. Williams converted thousands to Christianity and introduced trade with Europe.

The Samoas were divided in 1899 when Germany seized the western islands: The U.S. took the rest. New Zealand took control of Germany's islands at the start of World War I and, after a tumultuous rule, granted Samoa its independence in 1962.

The country is officially governed as a parliamentary democracy, but Malietoa Tanumafili II, one of four paramount chiefs, held the title of head of state for life. His power was limited, however, and when he died in 2007, the parliament chose a new head of state from among the other paramount chiefs, to serve a five-year term.

The Fono (unicameral parliament) consists of 49 Samoan members and two of mixed Samoan-European heritage. All are chosen by universal suffrage, but by custom only the 25,000 matais (chiefs) stand for the Samoan seats.

The Human Rights Protection Party has held a majority in parliament since 1982 and has fought to keep opposition parties from gaining a foothold. In 2005, the U.S. State Department criticized Samoa as a one-party state.

The country suffered a severe economic recession after two damaging hurricanes and a blight devastated the taro crops in the 1990s, but the government's public works projects and pro-business policies had resulted in relative boom times since 2001.

Sadly, the islands suffered a severe setback in September 2009 when a tsunami caused by an 8.0-magnitude earthquake devastated resort areas. Powerful waves smashed into the west coast of the main island of Upolu, where most resorts were totally devastated.

Although far from poverty-stricken, Samoa is not a rich nation.

The villages are run much as they have been for centuries—with a system known as the fa'amatai, with the matais elected by the aigas, or extended families. In theory, the aigas own all wealth and property in the villages communally, although competition among aigas is often vigorous.

Snapshot

The chief attractions of Samoa are Polynesian culture, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, good food, beaches and relaxation.

Most people interested in the South Pacific will enjoy Samoa, even if they have never been to any other islands. Recent resort development provides the comforts of Hawaii, Fiji and French Polynesia from which to gain an understanding of Polynesian culture.

Potpourri

Rugby is the national sport of Samoa, although locals also love cricket, which they call kirikiti.

Because Samoa sits just east of the international date line, it is one of the last nations on Earth to ring in the new year. Neighboring Tonga, however, on the west side of the date line, is one of the first.

Despite a rich tradition of dance in Samoa, there is no specific word for "dance" in Polynesian languages.

The only people who still refer to the islands as Western Samoa are American Samoans, who claim they are as much "Samoan" as the independent Samoans.

If you're in Apia in late October or early November (the exact date's determined by the full moon) the reefs will be alive with locals searching for palolo (coral worms), the "caviar of the Pacific."

Three-quarters of Samoa's population lives on the northern shore of Upolu.

Robert Louis Stevenson, who lived his last four years in Apia, was making mayonnaise when he died of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Under Samoan custom, families with a shortage of female offspring may raise boys as girls. Many continue to live as transvestites, known as fa'faines, in adulthood. The practice makes Samoa tolerant to gay male visitors.

More than 99% of Samoans are Christian and devoutly so. Large churches are the most grandiose buildings in Samoa, and some ministers read aloud the names of those who donated on Sunday, as well as of those who did not.

Location