The Culture of American Samoa

The Samoans along with the Hawaiians, Maoris, Tongans, and Tahitians are among the last remaining Polynesians and Samoans consider themselves true representatives of Polynesian culture. However, a long history of debated roots, missionary conversions through the 19th century and colonization has left this small group of islands with a confused identity. A majority of the people converted to Christianity over the ages and this is now the predominant religion on the islands.

Until the 1960s, the Americans paid scant attention to this little colony far away in the middle of the ocean and as a result, American Samoa remained a traditional, subsistence-based culture. President Kennedy was the first to turn his attention to the region and herald the modern era, which brought in a host of progressive measures. Unfortunately, western problems such as alcoholism, crime, unemployment and juvenile delinquency were also let in through the back door.

Despite this, there are strong attempts to hold on to fa'asamoa, or the Samoan way. The Samoan social system is based on status rather than money or material possessions and the extended family (aiga) forms the backbone of the social structure. Every member of the aiga contributes to the welfare of the group. Each aiga is headed by the matai, who looks after the well-being of the family and represents its needs and concerns in the village and district councils.