Why Travel to Samoa?
Looking for tropical surroundings, pristine beaches and authentic rich culture?
Then you need to explore the beautiful Pacific Island of Samoa.
Hidden away from the rest of the world, this unique slice of paradise has much to offer, but what is it that makes this country so special and why should you travel to Samoa?
The History
Samoa’s history is quite expansive and is definitely worth researching, but I’ll break a little bit down for you -
Samoa was first discovered by the indigenous people of Polynesia. Over time, European whalers and traders started to arrive and introduce Samoa to Western Culture and new religions such as Christianity.
One Christian man, in particular, Reverend John Williams, made quite the religious impact among the Samoan people and is still remembered to this day. In modern times, the Samoan way of life (Fa’a Samoa) usually revolves around family, extended family and of course, the church.
After several years of civil war, Germany and America came to an agreement and divided the islands of the Samoan archipelago. Germany took the majority of islands which became Western Samoa, and the Americans took the smaller islands, (Manu'a, Tutuila and Pago Pago) now known as American Samoa.
In 1914, with war breaking out across Europe, New Zealand jumped at the chance to take control of Western Samoa. In 1962 however, after campaigning for many years, Samoa became the first Pacific Island to gain independence! They opted to drop the ‘western’ part of the name and celebrate their Independence Day every June.
The Culture
Samoa has such a vibrant and rich culture that perfectly suits its ‘Pacific Paradise’ aesthetic.
Samoan people are extremely welcoming, generous and kind-hearted which actually makes it very difficult to leave! The Samoan way of life is all about taking it easy and appreciating what you have. People tend to lead simple lives but they’re always abundant in laughter, happiness and love.
A big part of Samoan culture is tattoos. Females and males have different traditional tattoos which demonstrate strong ties and dedication to their culture.
This incredible art form has been practised for way over 2,000 years and is still going strong to this day!
It is a painful process in which the tattoo master will use bamboo, tortoiseshell and bone dipped in black ink to act as the needle. The male tattoo (pe’a tatau) starts from the middle of the back and extends all the way around the sides, straight down to the knees. The female tattoo (malu tatau) is a far daintier version but still equally as detailed. The tattoos consist of ancient designs in geometric type patterns that usually indicate status and cultural identity. The entire process, repeatedly tapping the ink into the skin with a little mallet, can be very time consuming, taking days or much longer to complete.
Activities
Samoa is made up of two main islands, Savai'i and Upolu and four smaller islands which means there’s plenty to see and do all across the country. Whether you’re backpacking, holidaying, looking for adventure, dreaming of chilling on the beaches or interested in the local cuisine, here’s a few ideas of what you can do whilst in Samoa.
You could try your hand at some scuba diving and explore the tropical reefs.
Go jungle trekking up volcanoes and through stunning rainforests.
Go kayaking alongside the waterfalls or hire a car and road trip around the island.
You can also hire bicycles and see the island that way for a more authentic taste of everything Samoa has to offer, stopping at every coconut stall along the way! Samoa is full of extraordinary landscapes that you simply should not miss.
Apia has plenty of cultural workshops and dance shows to enjoy, whilst learning about the history of the island and its people. And if you’re a foodie then the island will not disappoint! Enjoy the Polynesian cuisine, fresh seafood and experience your first Samoan umu (ground oven).
Hopefully, this has given you a little insight into the Samoan way of life and what you can expect.
I would personally recommend staying in a traditional Samoan fale, there’s nothing quite like waking up to the sounds of the ocean right on your doorstep, embracing the Samoan way and feeling like part of the family!
