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. During the day, the fale is used for chatting and relaxing. One's family is viewed as an integral part of a person's life. The aiga or extended family lives and works together. Elders in the family are greatly respected and hold the highest status, and this may be seen at a traditional Sunday umu.
Construction of a Samoan fale, c. 1896 (see: Architecture of Samoa)
Pe'a, traditional male tattoo
Boy performing a Samoan fire dance (siva afi)
Samoan umu, an oven of hot rocks above ground
The Samoan Islands are an archipelago covering 3,030 km2 (1,170 sq mi) in the central South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia and of the wider region of Oceania. Administratively, the archipelago comprises all of the Independent State of Samoa and most of American Samoa. The land masses of the two Samoan jurisdictions are separated by 64 km (40 mi) of ocean at their closest points.
German, British and American warships in Apia harbour, 1899.
Young man dressed as a manaia, the son of a Samoan chief (matai), c. 1890–1910. (photo by Thomas Andrew)
Tonga Trench south of the Samoa Islands and north of New Zealand.
Mt Matavanu volcanic eruption on Savai'i island, 1905