American Samoa

Languages Spoken of their People

 Samoan
 English
Note: most people are bilingual

Samoan

The Samoan language is one of the oldest forms of Polynesian still in existence today, and
it is arguably the best-known of the Polynesian languages. It is the most widely spoken
Polynesian tongue, with an estimated 200,000 speakers, most of them located in Samoa
(formerly known as Western Samoa) and American Samoa.

Classification of the Samoan Language

The Samoan language is classified as a member of the Polynesian language family, part of
the Eastern or Oceanic subgroup of the Austronesian (formerly known as the Malayo-
Polynesian) family of languages. The Polynesian language family is relatively small, having
only about 1 million speakers in total, most of them dispersed throughout islands in the
Pacific Ocean.

The following Samoan phrases will probably be useful during your stay in Samoa.By adding
a few Samoan words to your conversations, you will be sure to win smiles from the locals.

 Food

8 Traditional Samoan Foods that are Sure to Invade Your Taste Buds

Samoan dishes are considered as delicacies throughout the world for their exotic taste
and style of preparing. Much like the traditions and culture of the country, these menus from
the Polynesian cuisine are unique in their own different ways, and this list gives you a vivid
description of a few of the best dishes from Samoa.

1. Luau or Palusami – Coconut Milk Baked in Taro Leaves

What is it: This is a traditional dish from Samoa made from solidified coconut milk baked
inside taro leaves, which are in turn wrapped in banana leaves (or sometimes, foils).
The resultant dish looks somewhat brown.
What does it taste like: The coconut milk gets well blended with the aroma of baked taro
leaves and onions, and releases a unique flavor.
2. Faiai Eleni – Fish in Coconut Cream
What is it: This is a famous main-course raw fish preparation wherein, traditionally,
mackerel is used. It is typically cooked in coconut shells.
What does it taste like: Diced cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes add to the already flavorful
dish, apart from the exotic taste of coconut cream and the fish.
3. Fa’apapa – Sweet Coconut Bread
What is it: This is an everyday bread dish from Samoa and is popular as a healthy breakfast
menu, and is typically consumed in almost all common Polynesian households.
What does it taste like: The puffy texture and the sweet taste makes this finger food quite
unique, along with the coconut milk and the flakes.
 4. Fa’ausi – Bread Coated with Coconut Sauce
What is it: This is nothing but the Fa’apapa bread coat-cooked in a sweet and rich coconut
caramel sauce. This is a favorite snack or dessert dish equally popular in holidays and
gatherings including wedding, funeral, etc.
What does it taste like: The tender bread soaked in the exotic caramel sauce makes it
extremely delicious and is bound to make its own special place in your gourmet heart.
5. Kopai – Sweet Dessert Dumplings from Samoa
What is it: Kopai is a type of dumpling that can be cooked in many different ways, with
coconut milk, caramel sauce, syrups, etc. Not only that, kopai can be of various colors too,
depending on the ingredients used.
What does it taste like: These are small, tender balls that will melt in your mouth. The taste,
again, varies mainly depending on how it has been prepared. However, the basic texture
remains unaltered.
6. Pani Popo – Homemade Bread Rolls
What is it: This is also a kind of bread dish prepared from coconut milk and flour, and is then
rolled. The finally the output is a fluffy bun that is often served in small cuts.
What does it taste like: The bread can be consumed with side dishes, or just by itself;
however, it tastes the best when consumed hot, soon after baking.
7. Panikeke – Sweet Banana Fritters
What is it: Panikeke, a culture food from the country, can be described as small,
perfectly-round fritters, deep fried in oil in a wok and served hot. These are a favourite
snack of the Polynesians people and can be prepared at home or sold as a street food.
What does it taste like: The flavor of ripe banana and flour, combined with the aromas of
other ingredients, including vanilla adds a very special taste to this fried dish. The addition
of baking powder leaves the balls crispy.
8. Sapasui – Samoan Chop Suey
What is it: This is simply a different version of chop suey in a Samoan style. Like the
other versions (including the American or the Chinese chop suey), this one is also
made with noodles, soy sauce, meat and vegetables, and is a favorite dish to almost all
Samoans.
What does it taste like: The subtle flavor of soybeans goes well with the added vegetables,
including mung beans, and additionally, the aroma of minced or finely chopped meat
guarantees an unforgettable taste.

So, now you know how tantalizing the Samoan cuisine is, with such amazing items.
If you think you are an honest and genuine foodie, delay not, and rush with your friends to
the country to get their authentic flavors.

 Dance

 Samoan dance

Samoan dance traditions reflect contact between Samoan culture and other cultures from
the East and West. The space in which dance is conducted has been interpreted as a
microcosm of Samoan society. Samoan dance has been characterized as a means of
maintaining Samoan identity in contact with other civilizations.

 Fa'ataupati
The Fa'ataupati is a dance indigenous to the Samoans. In English it is simply the "Samoan
Slap Dance". It was developed in Samoa in the 19th century and is only performed by
males. The Fa'ataupati is traditionally performed by a group of men and requires strength
and stability. The men would clap and slap in sync with each other. This dance is the only
dance in Samoa that does not require any instrument, as the slapping of the bodies, the
clapping of the hands and stomping of the feet create the music for this dance.

It is performed at almost every Samoan occasion: weddings, church functions,

birthdays, Flag Day, Independence Day and so forth. It is the only all-male dance in
Samoa.

 Maulu'ulu

The Maulu'ulu is an indigenous dance performed by the Samoan people. Contemporary

ma'ulu'ulu compositions and choreographies are generally performed by female dancers,
although some villages have a tradition of men and women dancing together. The
maulu'ulu was one of several dance forms (such as Taualuga) and choral song styles
(including 'otuhaka) that were adopted and adapted into the Kingdom of Tonga during the
late 19th century through cultural diffusion. Considerable divergence of technique and
choreography now differentiate the Samoan maulu'ulu from the Tongan
Ma'ulu'ulualthough their common origin continues to be celebrated.

 Sasa (dance)

Sasa is a Samoan word for a particular group dance. The sasa can be performed by both
males and females in a seated position or standing. Hand movements are used to depict
activities taken from everyday life. The word sasa literally means 'to strike'. The dance was
originally a village activity, but it soon became one of Samoa's most well-known dances. It
was traditionally performed by whole villages in order to give a perfect effect on the
viewers- the more performers, the more the dance became effective. It became a form of
entertainment for the Samoan Royal Family and other royal dignitaries that visited the
islands.

 Fire knife

The fire knife is a traditional Samoan culturalimplement that is used in ceremonial dances.
It was originally composed of a machete wrapped in towels on both ends with a portion of
the blade exposed in the middle. Tribal performers of fire knife dancing (or Siva Afi or even
"Ailao Afi" as it is called in Samoa) dance while twirling the knife and doing other acrobatic
stunts. The towels are set afire during the dances thus explaining the name.

 Siva Tau

The Manu Siva Tau is a Samoan war dance, performed by the Samoan sporting teams
before each match. The national rugby union team used to perform the traditional
'Maulu'ulu Moa' on tour. Prior to the 1991 World Cup, the 'Manu' war chant was
composed, it was considered to be more effective at psyching up players. The national
Australian rules football team performs the Siva Tau at its International Cup appearances.
In WWE, The Usos, as faces, performed the Siva Tau as part of their ring entrance. The
 Toa Samoa national rugby league team also perform the Siva Tau before each match
(with the "Toa" replacing "Manu" in the words).

 Taualuga

The Taualuga is a traditional Samoan dance, considered the apex of Samoan

performance art forms and the centerpiece of the Culture of Samoa. This dance form has
been adopted and adapted throughout western Polynesia, most notably in the Kingdom of
Tonga, Uvea, Futuna, and Tokelau. The renowned Tongan version is called the
tau'olunga.

 Education in American Samoa

The American Samoa Department of Education (DOE) has 23 elementary schools and five
secondary high schools, one of which is a poly-technical school. The DOE also offers early
childhood education, vocational education, and special education programs. The Director of
Education in 2001 was Mr. Silia Sataua, who oversaw more than 14,000 students in the
public school system. The system comprises 90 early childhood education centers
(preschools for three- and four-year-olds situated in the villages); 22 consolidated
elementary schools; and three high schools with three new high schools under construction.
American Samoa also has a vocational-technical school and a community college.

Nine parochial schools and a Montessori preschool provide private education; the latter is
operated by the Poor Sisters of Nazareth. The church-sponsored schools service
approximately 2000 students.

Education is compulsory and free for all children between the ages of 6 and 18. The focus
of American Samoan education is "education for export," since the majority of young people
relocate to the United States.