American Samoa’s islands make up the eastern part of the Samoan Archipelago, whose people are Polynesian. Archaeologists state early Polynesians traveled from South East Asia into the Pacific populating the islands of the western Pacific from Papua New Guinea to Tonga and Samoa. It was from to Tonga and Samoa sometime later that they migrated east and populated the Cook Islands, Niue, Tahiti and Rapanui (Easter Island) before heading north to Hawaii and south to Aotearoa (New Zealand) on the last legs of the great Polynesian migration. Today Samoan’s are regarded as the largest full blooded Polynesian race left in the world. Fa’a Samoa or the Samoan way is the foundation of Samoan society culture and heritage. Aiga or extended family is the core of the Fa’a Samoa, where at the head of the family are matai or chiefs and each family member has their role to play in their tautua, or service to the extended family. Our customs and culture are over 3000 years old and has changed very little over this period. The most major western influence accepted into Samoan custom has been Christianity which forms the spiritual basis of our society.

Fa’a Samoa or the Samoan Way is the foundation of Samoan society culture and heritage. Aiga or extended family is the core of the Fa’a Samoa, where at the head of the family are matai’s or chiefs and each family member has their role to play in their tautua, or service to the well being of the extended family throughout life. Christianity is also a major foundation block in Fa’a Samoa.

Fa’a Samoa customs and culture are over 3000 years old and have changed very little over this period. The most major western influence accepted into Samoan customs has been Christianity which forms the spiritual basis of our society.
Our culture and customs are based around the mutual respect given to our elders, the church, visitors, and the extended family.
Matai or chiefs make up the heads of the extended family units and each person has their duties to play in the well being of the family and its members and come together when ever needed.