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[Home] Pacific Horizons School
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About American Samoa American Samoa is a U.S. Territory, like Guam and Puerto Rico, but located in the South Pacific. (See map.) There are about 65,00 people living in our group of seven islands, but the vast majority of us reside on Tutuila, whose capital is Pago Pago. Over 90% of us are Samoan or part Samoan. Most of us speak both English and Samoan. We use U.S. currency, voltage and the U.S. Postal System. Due to the rugged and mountainous interior of Tutuila, most of us reside on its southern coast. Our main road, which also runs along the coast, is narrow and curvy and has a speed limit of only 25 mph! Although consumerism has managed to reach our shores and has certainly had an impact on our environment and culture, the latter has survived remarkably intact. The Fa’aSamoa (Samoan way) holds as its focus strong family ties that are strengthened through land and title ties, and through the fa’alavelave, an event which literally takes over the lives of its participants. This gathering of families which frequently occurs after a death, a marriage, a title ceremony, an opening of a new church, etc., includes gift exchanges, political displays of family clans and feasting that normally lasts 3 days to a week. Although consumerism has found its way into this traditional event i.e., bundles of bills are now found rolled up into fine mats (the traditional unit of exchange), and sodas are now served instead of coconut juice, the show of family pride, and generous spirit of this occasion remains the same. By American standards our standard of living is relatively low. In 1989, our median household income was $16,114. Of course, many of us also supplement our incomes with plantation foods (banana, taro, breadfruit, papaya, etc.) which we grow. In addition, over 90% of our land is communally owned; most of us live on family land that is never sold or bought. So, compared to our Pacific neighbors, we are relatively wealthy. In general, we are quite happy to be a U.S. Territory. We, undoubtedly, would struggle without U.S. aid. Just over a third of our labor force is employed by the local government which is mostly funded by the U.S. Federal government. Another third works for the tuna processing plants on Tutuila. The remaining third works for the private sector. You will find few places that cater to tourists here, but it is an industry which is growing and which has great potential. The last time I, personally, was traveling to the mainland from our little
island of Tutuila, I was standing behind an older palagi (a person of
European descent) woman who was beside herself in tears. She turned to me and
offered, "This is the most beautiful place, I have never met such wonderful
people. The whole time we were here we were treated like royalty. Really. Like
royalty," she sobbed. She had experienced the kind of hospitality that the
Samoans are famous for. Traditionally, guests are treated as royalty. I’m not
guaranteeing that you will be treated this way if you come our way, but you will
definitely never forget our island and its people. Bibliography Craig, Peter. Environmental Trends in American Samoa, Year 2000. National Parks of American Samoa, 2000. Samoa News, Tutuila's daily paper online. http://www.samoanews.com Recommended Reading If you are interested in learning more about the Samoan culture, check out the novel My Samoan Chief by Faye Calkin. Not only does this book offer an insight into the culture from an outsiders perspective, but it is both heart warming and funny. Other Local Links
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