The Samoan people have lived off the land for hundreds of years, primarily as hunters, gatherers, farmers, and fishers. This lifestyle remains somewhat true even today as the people are at least partially reliant on the land and seas. However, more important to the people in the past and today are community and family as many people live in rural areas where most people know each other.
Although many aspects of the traditional culture and way of life survive, many other aspects have changed. The Germans and other foreign power set up farms as the lands became a sourcing point for many goods. These foreigners also opened the door for missionaries, who converted most of the Samoan people to Christianity, which changed their culture and dress. Sadly, these powers also divided the people as local leaders worked with varying foreign powers, leading to wars.
Although the wars have ended, today the Samoan people have a different political system as Samoa is independent, but American Samoa is a dependence of the United States. None-the-less, the people of both these island chains, as well as Samoan immigrants, share a past as cultures and traditions remain alive. However, modern technology and changes have vastly altered the people's lifestyle and daily routine.