Faʻamatai
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Fa'amatai is the indigenous political ('chiefly') system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society. It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in both Samoas, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa. The term comprises the prefix fa'a and the word matai.
Three matai, the two older men bearing the symbols of orator chief status – the fue (flywhisk made of organic sennit rope with a wooden handle) over their left shoulder. The central elder holds the orator's wooden staff (to'oto'o) of office and wears an 'ie toga, fine matting. The other two men wear tapa cloth with patterned design
Lepea village with round meeting houses where matai meetings take place and open commons area (malae) for outdoor ceremonies.
Government Building in the capital Apia housing administrative ministerial offices.
High chief Seumanutafa Pogai of Apia, c. 1890–1910. (photo by Thomas Andrew)
Samoa
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Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands ; two smaller, inhabited islands ; and several smaller, uninhabited islands, including the Aleipata Islands. Samoa is located 64 km (40 mi) west of American Samoa, 889 km (552 mi) northeast of Tonga, 1,152 km (716 mi) northeast of Fiji, 483 km (300 mi) east of Wallis and Futuna, 1,151 km (715 mi) southeast of Tuvalu, 519 km (322 mi) south of Tokelau, 4,190 km (2,600 mi) southwest of Hawaii, and 610 km (380 mi) northwest of Niue. The capital and largest city is Apia. The Lapita people discovered and settled the Samoan Islands around 3,500 years ago. They developed a Samoan language and Samoan cultural identity.
Studio photo depicting preparation of the Samoa 'ava ceremony c. 1911
Interior of Samoan house, Apia, Urville 1842
Robert Louis Stevenson's birthday fete at Vailima, 1894
Mata'afa Iosefo (1832–1912), paramount chief and rival for the kingship of Samoa