Welcome, to Samoa

[Pragmatic]

YouTube - samoana

YouTube - samoana

Samoa Independent State of Samoa

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YouTube - Walking Samoan Style

YouTube - Walking Samoan Style

peace be upon you

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Archeologists place the earliest human settlement of the Samoan archipelago around 1500 B.C.

This time period is based upon the ancient lapita pottery shards found throughout the islands.


Samoa's oral history, however, can only account for as far back as 1000 A.D. The mystery remains as to what happened from 1500 B.C. to 1000 A.D. Perhaps, this was the period of great migrations that eventually led to the settlement of what is today, Polynesia. Another mystery is why the making of pottery suddenly stopped.

There is no oral tradition in reference to pottery use, but it abounds with proverbs on the starmounts used for the ancient sport of pigeon snarling, once popular among Samoa's nobility. Linguistically, the Samoan language is part of the Austronesian family. It is related to the Tagalog language of the Philippines as well as the languages spoken by the indigenous people of Taiwan and Sri Lanka. Historically, Samoa is recognized as the center of Polynesia from whence migrations to the Marquesas in the east and south to Niue and the Pukapuka islands of Rarotonga; and north to the Tokelau and Tuvalu island groups. In all these islands, oral tradition accounts of their ancestors coming from the Samoan islands. These migrations by alia reflect the extraordinary courage these seafaring people had and in navigating with the crudest instruments to sail throughout the vast Pacific Ocean.

Prior to the arrival of the Europeans in the early 1700s, Samoa's history was interwoven with Chiefdoms of Fiji and the Kingdom of Tonga.

Samoa share common ancestor of Tagaloa; as well as historical battles fought between the island rulers. It should also be noted that the inter-marriage of Tongan and Fijian royalty to Samoan women of noble status have helped build close relationships between these island nations to present day. To this day, these blood ties are acknowledged at special events and cultural gatherings.

Samoan folklore captures the arrival of two maidens from Fiji that brought the ancient art of tatau, or tatoo to Samoa. Oral traditions record the use of the Samoan fine mat as a garment of atonement, draped over a Samoan maiden to pardon her from a Tongan King's wrath and criminal indictment. The bestowal of the highly reverent title, Malietoa, marked a historical period in Samoan history when the islands were officially recognized to be independent from the realms of Tongan rule. The title, refers to the parting words of Tongan warriors: Malie toa, malie tau; literally translated: "Brave warrior, bravely fought." Hence, the title was amended as part of the more ancient royal courts and titles of Tui-Aana, Tui-Atua. These tales are reflective of the ambiance of Samoa's colorful, and at times, fierce past.

European contact

Contact with Europeans began in the early 1700s but did not intensify until the arrival of the English. In 1722, DutchmanJacob Roggeveen was the first European to sight the islands. Missionaries and traders arrived in the 1830s. Halfway through the 19th century, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States all claimed parts of the kingdom of Samoa, and established trade posts.

High Chief Malietoa Leaupepe died in 1898 and was succeeded by Malietoa Tooa Mataafa. The US and British consuls supported Malietoa Tanu, Leaupepe's son.

US and British warships, including the USS Philadelphia shelled Apia on March 15, 1899.