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''Faa Sāmoa'', the ' Samoan Way', is the traditional/customary way of life in
''Faa Sāmoa'' consists of the 
As another example, most Samoan villages enforce a period of prayer in the early evening, signified by ringing a bell or by blowing a conch shell. During this brief curfew (the ''sa'') one should not stop in the village if passing through. Appointed guardians, or ''aumaga'', may stand by the road to ensure that travelers do not enter.
In addition to the set familial relationships, which extend to one's entire
When missionaries arrived from Europe in 1830, they found ways to associate Samoan cultural beliefs with
DSC01687 Flower leis in Samoa.jpg, Flower lei
DSC01705 Island off Samoa.jpg, The ocean connects the islands of Samoa
DSC01518 Turtle in Samoa.jpg, Sea turtle in Samoa
DSC01268 Ruins in Samoa.jpg, Christianity in Samoa
"Faasamoa - The Samoan Way"
American Samoa government website
The Samoan Way
Culture of Samoa Society of Samoa Samoan words and phrases {{samoa-stub
Samoan culture
The traditional culture of Samoa is a communal way of life based on Fa'a Samoa, the unique socio-political culture. In Samoan culture, most activities are done together. The traditional living quarters, or '' fale'' (houses), contain no walls and ...
.
Concept
''Faa Sāmoa'' consists of the Samoan language
Samoan ( or , ) is a Polynesian languages, Polynesian language spoken by Samoans of the Samoan Islands. Administratively, the islands are split between the sovereign country of Samoa and the Unincorporated territories of the United States, Unit ...
, customs of relationships, and culture, that constitute the traditional and continuing Polynesian lifestyle on Samoa and in the Samoan diaspora. It embraces an all-encompassing system of behavior and of responsibilities that spells out all Samoans' relationships to one another and to persons holding positions of authority. This is how Samoans are raised and live, and provides support and direction to individuals within family and political structures. Central to the organisation of Samoan society is the culture's '' faamatai'', the traditional system of social organisation.
Hosts have responsibility for the actions of their guests, and may incur a fine from the village authorities for infractions of local customs.
''Faa Sāmoa'' includes the way one stands, walks and speaks, for example by saying "tulou" when one walks in front of someone who is seated. Likewise, it is extremely disrespectful to eat or drink when walking through a village.
As another example, most Samoan villages enforce a period of prayer in the early evening, signified by ringing a bell or by blowing a conch shell. During this brief curfew (the ''sa'') one should not stop in the village if passing through. Appointed guardians, or ''aumaga'', may stand by the road to ensure that travelers do not enter.
In addition to the set familial relationships, which extend to one's entire extended family
An extended family is a family that extends beyond the nuclear family of parents and their children to include aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins or other relatives, all living nearby or in the same household. Particular forms include the stem ...
(the '' ‘aiga'') with its familial chief (the '' matai''), Samoans show respect to persons in positions of authority, and reverently observe customs of long standing which have rather more force than mere etiquette
Etiquette ( /ˈɛtikɛt, -kɪt/) can be defined as a set of norms of personal behavior in polite society, usually occurring in the form of an ethical code of the expected and accepted social behaviors that accord with the conventions and ...
.
History
When missionaries arrived from Europe in 1830, they found ways to associate Samoan cultural beliefs with Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...
, which contributed to the spread of Christianity in 19th-century Samoa. An example of these purportedly shared beliefs is the respect of one's elders. In ''faa Sāmoa'', the young respect older generations, especially their parents and grandparents.
Gallery
See also
* FaamataiReferences
External links
"Faasamoa - The Samoan Way"
American Samoa government website
The Samoan Way
Culture of Samoa Society of Samoa Samoan words and phrases {{samoa-stub