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Sāmoa
Nearly everyone in Samoa has a different story on the name's origin. One of the more popular beliefs is that the name comes from Sa-ia-Moa, meaning "Sacred-for-Moa," Moa being the son of the high god, Tagaloa.
Introduction:
Samoan culture is heavily rooted in Polynesian culture as Samoa sits in the heart of Polynesia. Over time this culture and lifestyle developed with changes that originated in Samoa as well as from changes elsewhere that later arrived to Samoa. Due to Polynesian communication and transportation networks, the Samoans maintain many cultural aspects that are now synonymous with Polynesia, although the modern age has also played a significant role in the culture and lifestyle today.
Samoa and Samoan culture is well-known in many parts of the world due to the large Samoan immigrant populations, who tend to maintain aspects of their historic culture no matter where they live. Many of these things are rather obvious, such as their traditional tattoos, however the foods, mentality, and lifestyle are often times less obvious, although most Samoans cling to these aspects of life as well.
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.
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Information for Samoa was last updated: May, 2013 ● View our: Sources & Special Thanks