Cultural Awareness - Samoa

1. Talofa!
Welcome to Samoa

2. YOU ARE HERE
Apia – main
town area

3. Samoan Flag
Head of State – Samoa
Prime Minister - Samoa
MAP OF SAMOA
Samoan Currency
Tupua Tamasese & Masiofo
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

4. Quick facts and numbers:
• Around 186,000 people
• 2 main islands - Upolu and “Big Island”
Savai’i
• 2 smaller islands - Apolima and Manono
• 2 main seasons – wet & dry
• 2 languages – Samoan and English
• Land is mostly customary (owned by
families) – 27% in Upolu and 54% in
Savaii

5. The two main pillars that direct how
Samoan people live their lives:
• Samoan Culture & Traditions
(Fa’a-Samoa)
• Religion

6. The family unit – extended family or aiga
Fa’a-Samoa: the Samoan way

7. Traditional Samoan meeting house

8. ‘Ava ceremony

9. Traditional Dress
Pre-Christianity
Post-Christianity
siapo (tapa cloth)
‘ie toga (fine mats)

10. Traditional Samoan Siva Wear
Taupou Manaia

11. Modern Day Siva Wear

12. Traditional Food

13. Religion

14. Sunday in Samoa is a day of worship
and rest
• Main religion is Christianity
• Other religions – Islam and Baha’i
• Limited trading hours
• No buses
• Walk/drive through villages
quietly/slowly

15. Appropriate dress for Church
Puletasi or
dress/skirt
NOT pants!
‘Ie faitaga
or pants

16. Principles of Fa’a-Samoa
• Discipline
• Responsibility
• Hospitality
• Respect

17. • Used within families to promote
responsibility and respect.
• As part of the APTC family, your
actions are governed by the Student
Code of Conduct.
Discipline

18. • Your actions
• self-control
• self-discipline
• Your academic success
• self-manage
• self-reflect
Responsibility

19. • Welcoming guests an important part
of Samoan culture
• Show respect to your host if you are a
guest
Hospitality
If invited to a meal: do not eat until after
the prayer or unless you are invited to eat
by your host.
If invited to a meal: do not eat until after
the prayer or unless you are invited to eat
by your host.

20. Respect local culture & customs
In the village
Avoid walking
on the road
during the
curfew (Sā)
or being too
loud.
On the bus
Respect
elders. Give
up your seat
for an
elderly
person.
Anywhere
Say “tulou”
when
passing
people at
very close
distance,
even if they
are sitting.

21. Other useful tips
DO 
• Take off your shoes
before entering
someone’s home.
• Sit cross-legged when
sitting on the floor.
• Boil tap water for
drinking. Or buy bottled
water.
DON’T 
• Eat while
standing/walking. Find
a place to sit and eat.
• Talk with a mouthful
when at other peoples’
homes or speaking to
others.
• Point your finger at
anyone.
• Spit in public.

22. Refer to student flyer
and “Say it Easy in
Samoan” Booklet for
more information

23. Samoan Song
1. Savalivali means “Go for a Walk”
Tautalatala means “Too much talk”
Alofa ia te oe means “I love you”
“Take it easy,” Faifai lemu
2. Teine Aulelei means “Pretty girl”
Ta’amilomilo means “Around the world”
Whisper to me means “Musumusu maia”
Oi aue, means “My, oh my”
3. “Go for a ride,” ti’eti’e ta’avale
“Stay at home” means nofo i le fale
“Leai o se tupe” means no more money
“Much trouble” means fa’alavelave

24. ENJOY YOUR STUDIES AND
STAY IN SAMOA.