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1962 was the year that Samoa declared its independence from New Zealand and every year Samoa has been celebrating this important event on June 01.

In colorful uniforms, groups and organizations are marching down the Beach Road toward the Mulinuu peninsula to rise the flag of freedom. Sports games, longboat races and dance entertainments are always on the program for this special day.

Fa‘asamoa – Samoan culture

The concept of fa‘asamoa is essential to Samoan identity, and consists of a number of values and traditions:

• aiga (family)
• tautala Samoa (Samoan language)
• gafa (genealogies)
• matai (chiefly system)
• lotu (church)
• fa‘alavelave (ceremonial and other family obligations).

There are also the associated values of alofa (love), tautua (service), fa‘aaloalo (respect), feagaiga (a covenant between sibilings and others) and usita‘i (discipline).

The fa‘asamoa practised in Samoa may differ from that in New Zealand. Not every Samoan has the same understanding of the concept. What remains constant is maintaining the family and links with the homeland. Money, prayers, support, food, material goods, and even relatives themselves, circulate within families around the world – wherever Samoan people live and work.

In 1998 one New Zealand-born Samoan described what it means to follow fa‘asamoa:

‘The fa‘asamoa is: go to church, be a good Samoan, and that means to try your best at education, and looking after family, and go to family functions, plus that we've got to look after them when they're old.’ ¹

Language

Most Samoan-born migrants speak the Samoan language fluently. For them, proficiency in the language distinguishes those who are truly Samoan. However, a number of the children born or raised in New Zealand do not speak Samoan, although they can understand it. For New Zealand-born Samoans, fluency is not important to identity; it is enough that they understand the language, communicate with their island-born family, and adopt their parents’ fa‘asamoa beliefs.

Because their parents do not understand English, those New Zealand-born Samoans who speak Samoan fluently are often obliged to speak Samoan in the home. Some have learnt it through their jobs, or by helping their elders deal with schools and government authorities. Others pick up Samoan through membership in the autalavou (church youth group). In 2001, 64% of people of Samoan ethnicity could speak Samoan, although only about 40% were born in Samoa.

Aiga – family

The central element in Samoan culture is the aiga (family). Within the family, giving and receiving tautua (service), fa‘aaloalo (respect) and alofa (love) are crucial in Samoan social relations. Young people are expected to serve and show respect to elders, and can expect to receive love, protection, honour, a name to be proud of, and defence by the family when it is needed.

Many younger Samoans have difficulty accepting tautua and fa‘aaloalo, and the unquestioning obedience required of children. On the other hand, older members appreciate these concepts because they are now receiving tautua and fa‘aaloalo from their children and extended family.