The Seal of

American Samoa American Samoa ( sm, Amerika Sāmoa, ; also ' or ') is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa. Its location is centered on . It is east of the Internation ...

is based in traditional local design. The fly switch (''

fue is the Japanese word for bamboo flute, and refers to a class of flutes native to Japan. come in many varieties, but are generally high-pitched and made of a bamboo called . The most popular of the is the . Categorization are traditionally ...

'') represents wisdom and the staff ( To'oto'o) represents authority. Both symbols are used by talking chiefs indicating their rank. The Tanoa (kava bowl) represents service to the chief. The tapa clothed background represents the artistry of the Samoan people. It also includes the date April 17, 1900, which was the date when Samoa became a U.S. territory. On Flag Day April 17, 1973, the official seal of American Samoa, with the motto, ' (English: "Samoa, Let God Be First"), was dedicated. The seal was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives on March 2, 1985, by Delegate Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia. Fofo made the request in November 1981. The artwork was performed by the staff of the architect of the capitol.Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009). ''A History of American Samoa''. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. Page 320. .

References

External links

American Samoa tourism agency
American Samoan culture Politics of American Samoa

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