Local culture

A photograph of American Samoa women, dated 1897.

The American Samoans are among the last remaining true Polynesians, along with the Hawaiians, Maoris, Tongans, and Tahitians. Despite the strong influence of western industrial culture, the American Samoans, more than other Pacific Islanders, seem to hold more tenaciously to their ancient tradition.

The culture of Samoa is over 3,000 years old. The term fa'asamoa, meaning the Samoan way of life, is often heard in American Samoa. Fa'asamoa has kept Samoans conscious of local history and cautious about changes that might threaten the traditional structure of their society. However, fa'asamoa has an inherent flexibility which has allowed its people to withstand and absorb the ways of foreign traders, missionaries, and military forces; it is a dynamic cultural force.

One aspect of fa'asamoa is the ancient concept of tapu. Samoans restricted use on areas that became overstressed in order to protect their resources. With the decline in subsistence fishing in the area, many of the new generations of Samoans have lost touch with the surrounding coral reefs and their fragile riches. With the decline of awareness of tapu, the traditional cultural ethics of resource management were being lost as well.

The nearby marine sanctuary adds a new dimension to local awareness of the treasures of the marine environment and the need to protect and preserve it. By equating the sanctuary with the concept of tapu, a fresh understanding of resource protection and management emerges, one which can have vital cultural and environmental significance. The sanctuary makes a special effort to work with the American Samoan community with outreach programs for all ages. The sanctuary co-sponsors a summer environmental education program for 9- to 12-year-old children. These programs explore the marine life in the bay, including reef fish and giant clams, teaching ways to protect the resources there. Samoan cultural events and general community outreach/education programs are also run year-round.

Another important aspect of fa'asamoa is the emphasis on family. Samoan tradition revolves around the aiga, the extended family. For the aiga to exist and function, every member plays a part in contributing to the welfare of the group. At the head of each aiga is the matai, a position which connotes authority. The matai is responsible for the well-being of the family as well as for its representation in the village and district councils. Several matai rankings are intertwined throughout the village systems which result in complex traditional and political hierarchies.