Savai'i
Encyclopedia
Savaii is the largest and highest island in Samoa
and the Samoa Islands chain. It is also the biggest landmass in Polynesia
outside Hawaii
and New Zealand
. The island of Savai'i is also referred to by Samoans as Salafai, a classical Samoan
term used in oratory and prose. The island is home to 43,142 people (2006 Census) who make up 24% of the country's population.
The only township and ferry terminal is Salelologa
, the main entry point to the island, situated at the east end of Savai'i. A tar sealed road serves as the one main highway, connecting most of the villages with local buses reaching most settlements.
Savai'i is made up of six itūmālō (political districts
). Each district is made up of villages with strong traditional ties of kinship, history, land and matai
chief titles. There are also some limited ecotourism development which operate mostly within the villages. The Mau
, Samoa's non-violent movement for political independence during colonialism
in the early 1900s, had its beginnings on Savai'i with the Mau a Pule movement.
The island is the largest shield volcano
in the South Pacific
with recent eruptions in the early 1900s. The central region comprise the Central Savai'i Rainforest
, 72,699 hectares which forms the largest continuous patch of rainforest in Polynesia. It is dotted with more than 100 volcanic craters and contains most of Samoa
's native species of flora and fauna, making it globally significant in world conservation areas.
, the unique traditional culture and way of life in Samoan society, remains strong in Savai'i where there are fewer signs of modern life and less development than the island of Upolu
where the capital Apia is situated.
Samoan society is communal and based on extended family relationships and socio-cultural obligations, so that kinship and genealogies are important. These fa'a Samoa values are also associated with concepts of love (alofa), service (tautua) to family and community, respect (fa'aaloalo) and discipline (usita'i). Most families are made up of a number of different households situated close to each other.
Like the rest of Samoa, Savai'i is made up of villages with most of the land collectively owned by families or 'aiga.' Most people on Savai'i, 93% of the island population, live on customary land
. The heads of the family are called Matai
the holders of family names and titles. An extended family can have a number of chiefs with different chief titles. Men and women in Samoa have equal rights to chief titles which are bestowed by consensus of the extended family. Traditionally, male and female roles are defined by labours and tasks, chiefly status and age. Women play an important role contributing to family decisions as well as village governance. Elders are revered and respected. Social relationships are dictated by cultural etiquettes of politeness and common greetings.
The Samoan language
has a 'polite' and formal variant used in Samoan oratory and ceremony as well as in communication with elders, guests, people of rank and strangers. In all villages, the majority of people are largely sustained by plantation work and fishing with financial assistance from relatives working in Apia or overseas.
Most people live in coastal villages although there are some settlements inland such as the villages of Aopo
, Patamea
and Sili
.
Behind the villages are cultivated plantations with crops of taro
, cocoa koko, coconut
s popo, yams
palai, 'ava
, fruit and vegetables as well other native plants such as pandanus
for weaving 'ie toga fine mats and bark for tapa cloth
.
There is a church in every village, mostly Christian denominations. Sunday is sacred and a day of rest as 98% of Samoans identify themselves as religious. White Sunday
is one of the most important days of the year in Samoa when children are treated with special attention by their families and community.
titles are eligible to become Members of Parliament.
Alongside Samoa's national and modern political structure is traditional authority vested in family chiefs (matai). The term Pule is applied to traditional authority in Savai'i.
The word Pule refers to appointments or authorities conferred on certain clans or individuals, sometime in the political history of Samoa. This traditional Pule authority was centred in certain villages around Savai'i. In the early 20th century, these Pule areas on Savai'i island were Safotulafai
, Saleaula
, Safotu
, Asau, Satupa'itea
and Palauli
. Safotu, Asau, Satupa'itea and Vailoa
(Palauli
district) gained 'Pule' status at different times in the 19th Century, and together with the two older Pule districts, Safotulafai and Saleaula, became the six Pule centres on Savai'i.
In 1908, the 'Mau a Pule' resistance movement to colonial rule, which grew to become the national Mau movement
, began on Savai'i and represented traditional authority against the German administration of Samoa. The equivalent term 'Tumua' is associated with traditional authority on Upolu island.
At the local level throughout Samoa, traditional authority is vested in a chiefs' council (fono o matai) in each village. The fono o matai carry out 'village law' and socio-political governance based on their traditional authority and fa'a Samoa. The authority of the 'matai' is balanced against central government, the Malo. Most of the matai are males, however, the women in each village also have a voice in domestic affairs through the women's committees.
The main government administration offices of the Malo on Savai'i are situated in the village of Tuasivi
, 10 minutes north of the ferry terminal and market at Salelologa
. There's a district hospital, police station, post office and court houses in Tuasivi.
Va'ai Kolone
, a matai and businessman from Vaisala, at the west end of the island, became the Prime Minister of Samoa
twice in the 1980s.
Samoa has 11 political districts (itūmālō) and 6 are in Savai'i; Fa'asaleleaga
, Gaga'emauga
, Gaga'ifomauga
, Palauli
, Satupa'itea
and Vaisigano
.
, the highest peak in the country and the Samoa Islands chain. Volcanic craters in the highlands are strung across the central ridges from Tuasivi
(literally, backbone) village in the east towards Cape Mulinu'u to the west. The lava fields at Saleaula
village on the central north coast are the result of volcanic eruptions from Mt Matavanu
(1905–1911). Most of the coastline are palm fringed beaches and there are rainforests, waterfalls, caves, freshwater pools, blowholes and coral reefs. There are also numerous archaeological sites, including star mounds, fortifications and pyramids such as the Pulemelei Mound
in Palauli
district. Archaeology in Samoa
has uncovered many pre-historic settlements including sites at Vailoa
and Sapapali'i
.
tell stories of different gods. There were gods of the forest, the seas, rain, harvest, villages and war. There were two types of gods, atua who had non-human origins and aitu who were of human origin. Tagaloa
was a supreme god who made the islands and the people. Mafui'e
was the god of earthquakes. Rich in Polynesian history and oral tradition, Savai'i is mentioned in myths and legends across the Pacific Islands
and has been called the Cradle of Polynesia. There were also a number of war gods. Nafanua
, Samoa's warrior goddess hails from the village of Falealupo
at the west end of the island, which is also the site of the entry into Pulotu
, the spirit world. Nafanua's father Saveasi'uleo
was the god of Pulotu. Another well known legend tells of two sisters Tilafaiga
and Taema
bringing the art of tattooing to Samoa from Fiti. Tilafaiga is the mother of Nafanua. The Mata o le Alelo
'Eyes of the Demon' freshwater pool from the Polynesian legend Sina and the Eel
is situated in the village of Matavai on the north coast in the village district of Safune
. Another figure of legend is Tui Fiti
who resides at Fagamalo
village in the village district of Matautu
on the central north coast. The village of Falelima
is associated with a dreaded spirit deity called Nifoloa.
Savaii is known as the ’soul of Samoa’. "Here the 20th century has put down the shallowest roots, and the faa Samoa – the Samoan way – has the most meaning."
s include coastal, lowland and montane
forests (above 500m elevation). Cloud forest
s are located in the highest elevations of the island which are often under cloud cover with wet conditions.
At Mt Silisili, cloud forest occur above 1200m elevation. The Savai‘i forest is dominated by a 15 to 20 m high canopy of Dysoxylum huntii, Omalanthus acuminatus, Reynoldsia pleiosperma and Weinmannia samoense. Other common trees include Coprosma savaiiense, Psychotria xanthochlora, Spiraeanthemum samoense and Streblus anthropophagorum. There are nearly 500 species of flowering plants and about 200 species of ferns in Samoa, making it richer than that of any tropical Polynesian island other than those in the Hawaiian archipelago. About 25% of the species are endemic to Samoa.
The variety of tropical plant life is also a material source for floral adornment, tapa cloth
, 'ie toga, perfumes, coconut oil
as well as herbs and plants for traditional medicines. Common plants with everyday usage include the smooth reddish purple leaves of the ti (Dracaena terminalis) plant used with coconut oil for traditional massage, fofo, and the dried root stems of Piper methysticum (Piper Latin for "pepper", methysticum Greek for "intoxicating") are mixed with water for the important Ava Ceremony conducted during cultural events and gatherings.
Animal species include fruit bats such as the Samoa Flying-fox
(Pteropus samoensis), land and sea birds, skinks and geckos. The birdlife of Samoa includes a total of 82 species, of which 10 are endemic, found only in Samoa. Endemic birdlife found only on Savai'i include endangered species Samoan White-eye
(Zosterops samoensis) found in the high cloud forests and alpine scrub around Mt Silisili
, and Samoan Moorhen
(Gallinula pacifica), which was last recorded in 1873 near Aopo
with possible sightings in 1984 and 2003.
There are 5 species of frigatebird
s worldwide and 2 species are found in Samoa. The Tooth-billed Pigeon
, (Didunculus strigirostris), also known as Samoan Pigeon is confined to undisturbed forests such as the rainforests in Tafua
, at the east end of the island. It is the national bird of Samoa and is called the Manumea. Samoa has more native species of ferns and butterflies than New Zealand
, a country 85 times larger. In 2006, research samples of the Blue Moon butterfly species (Hypolimnas bolina
) on Savai'i found that males accounted for just 1% of the population and had almost been wiped out by an invasive species. Sampling a year later showed a dramatic comeback and recovery to 40%.
The surrounding Pacific Ocean
, coral reefs and lagoons are rich in marine life and some are harvested as an important source of food in an economy that is mainly subsistence with locals reliant on the land and the ocean for survival. Dolphins, whales and porpoises migrate through Samoa's waters.
The Palolo Reef Worm
(Eunice viridis) is a Samoan cuisine delicacy which appear in the ocean only one day of the year. Palolo has cultural significance and entire villages flock to the sea for harvest.
Surrounded by a variety of tropical fauna, Samoan mythology
is rich with stories of animals incorporated into their culture, traditional beliefs and way of life.
and endemic native species which are also highly threatened. The Central Savai'i Rainforest
comprising 72,699 hectares is the largest continuous patch of rainforest in Polynesia
and contains most of Samoa
's native species. Seventy percent of Samoa's settlements are by the coast with increasing threat from climate change and sea level rising. As most of the land in Samoa is under customary ownership, conservation projects are developed with the approval and cooperation of villages. The Government of Samoa supports conservation covenants for three natural areas on Savai'i, the Falealupo
Rainforest Preserve, Tafua
Rainforest Preserve and Aopo
Cloud Forest Reserve. The conservation projects are a partnership between the local matai
and villages, government, conservation organisations and international funding such as the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP). These support community based projects in villages, many of which are developed with international support and micro financing in areas of sustainable livelihoods, land management and conservation on both land and in coastal marine areas. There are wetlands in the village of Sato'alepai
on the central north coast where large sea green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are kept by the locals as an eco-tourism experience for visitors and provide extra income for communities. Another turtle habitat is at the village of Auala
on the north west coast.
is the main port and township, situated at the east end of the island where the inter-island ferry terminal is located. A regular passenger and vehicle ferry operates seven days a week in the Apolima Strait
between Salelologa and Mulifanua
wharf on Upolu. The ferry crossing takes about 90-minutes with views of Apolima
and Manono
islands to the south. The ferries operate only during the day. Local buses and taxis are available at the terminal and township. There's also a wharf at Asau at the north west end of the island, sometimes used for yachting.
is a small airstrip with basic facilities situated 10-minutes south of Salelologa ferry terminal and township. Flights operate between Maota airstrip and Faleolo International Airport
on Upolu. However, the schedule can be sporadic. The inter-island flights take about 10-minutes.Asau Airport
is an airstrip at the north west end of the island which mainly services chartered flights.
village. Another district hospital is in Safotu
, on the central north coast.
with local governance by matai
, tourism experiences take place on village land and within local culture. There are hotels, but like the rest of Samoa, many villages provide beach fale
accommodation for visitors all around the island such as Manase
on the central north coast. These are small local businesses run by families within their villages and most of the income goes directly back to the community.
There are island tours, diving, fishing, plantation trips, treks and other tourism related activities. Most shops are closed on Sundays with a few re-opening after church services in late afternoon. Every day, evening prayer (sa) takes place in every village around dusk before the evening meal and lasts about half an hour. It is usually signalled by the sound of a conch shell or the ringing of the church bell. The sa usually means no loud noise or walking through the village commons. Matai sometimes stand by the side of the main road, which pass through village land, to slow down traffic until prayers are over. Tourism is overseen by the government Samoa Visitors' Bureau, situated in the capital Apia, which can also help to settle disputes. At the village level, much of the country's civil and criminal matters can be dealt with directly by the matai chief village councils.
on the western most point of Savai'i, is just 20 miles (32.2 km) from the dateline, and arguably the last place in the world to see the sunset each day. Falealupo was the site of Millenium 2000 celebrations and reported by the BBC
as 'the last place on earth to enter the new millennium.' Falealupo also has protected rainforests.
off reef breaks all around the island, with the best waves during summer on the north coast and the south coast in winter. The conditions are not for novice surfers and there can be dangerous undercurrents and rips. Satuiatua
Beach Fales on the south-west coast is owned by locals and was one of the first tourism accommodations attracting surfers. Other surfing spots around Savai'i include breaks off the villages of Lano
, Aganoa Beach
by Tafua
, Lefagaoali'i
, Lelepa
and Fagamalo
.
, to build a luxury resort estimated to cost $450 – $500 million US dollars. The developers pay less than one penny per square foot of land per month. The development will include a casino
, timeshares and a cultural centre. The company is expecting to receive the casino licence for Savai'i island in a new law legalising casinos proposed by the government, the Casino and Gambling Bill 2010 tabled to parliament by the prime minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
in March 2010.
The announcement of the tourist development raised concern among environmental group O Le Si'osi'omaga Society about the impact of the development. The Samoa Hotel Association also expressed concern at the size of the development and its impact on the island's environment and infrastructure. The development is supported by the Government of Samoa. The lease is unprecedented in Samoa where 80% of the land is under customary ownership, 6% freehold and the rest owned by the government.
(1926), one of the earliest documentaries made in the world, was filmed in Safune
on the central north coast. The film was directed by Robert J. Flaherty
who lived with his wife and children in Safune for more than a year. A cave with a pool in Safune was converted into a film processing laboratory and two young men from the village were trained to work there. Flaherty cast people from Safune in the film including local boy Ta'avale who played the lead role of 'Moana.' Another boy called Pe'a played the role of Moana's younger brother. Pe'a later became a chief with the title Taulealeausumai from the village of Faletagaloa. Playing the lead female role in the film was Fa'agase, a girl from Lefagaoali'i
. The film also showed the young hero 'Moana' receiving a pe'a
, a traditional Samoan tattoo.
which is about 8 miles (12.9 km) wide with the small inhabited islands of Manono
and Apolima
between them.
Savai'i island is of volcanic origin and the mountainous interiors are covered with dense rain forests. The surrounding landscape consists of fertile plateaux and coastal plains with numerous rivers and streams.
in the South Pacific and only 3% is above water.
It is an active volcano, which last erupted in 1905-1911 with lava flows that destroyed villages on the central north coast. The island is formed by a massive basalt
ic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean
. A possible model for the formation of the volcanic Samoa island chain is explained by the Samoa hotspot
situated at the east end of the Samoa Islands. In theory, the Samoa hotspot is a result of the Pacific Tectonic Plate
moving over a 'fixed' deep and narrow mantle plume
spewing up through the Earth's crust. The Samoa islands generally lie in a straight line, east to west, in the same direction the Plate is moving. In the classic hotspot model, primarily based on studies of the Hawaii hotspot
, the volcanic islands and seamount
s further away from the Samoa hotspot should be progressively older. However, Savai'i, the most western of the Samoa island chain, and Ta'u Island
, the most eastern of the Samoa islands, both erupted in the last century, data which is an enigma for scientists. Ta'u last erupted in 1866. Another discrepancy in the data from the Samoa islands is that subaerial
rock samples from Savai'i were too young by several million years to fit the classic hotspot model of age progression in an island chain, raising arguments among scientists that the Samoa islands does not have a plume origin. The nearness of Savai'i and the Samoa island chain to the Tonga Trench
at the south became a possible explanation for these discrepancies as well as the possibility that the islands were formed by magma
seeping through cracks in stressed fracture zones.
However, in 2005, an international team gathered further submarine samples from the deep flanks and rift
s of Savai'i. Tests on these later samples showed much older ages, about five million years old, that fit the hotspot model. The discovery in 1975 of Vailulu'u Seamount
45 km east of Ta'u in
American Samoa
has since been studied by an international team of scientists and contribute towards understanding of the Earth's fundamental processes.
Pre-historic geological formations on Savai'i have created natural sites such as the Alofa’aga Blowholes
and Moso's Footprint
. The Pe'ape'a Cave, named after the swallows that inhabit it, is a lava tube
one kilometre in length, formed during the Mt Matavanu
eruptions.
similar in form to the Hawaii
an volcanoes. Savai'i remains volcanically active, with recent eruptions from Matavanu between 1905 and 1911. The Matavanu eruptions flowed towards the central north coast and destroyed villages including Saleaula
. Other recent volcanic eruptions include Mata o le Afi in 1902 and Mauga Afi in 1725. The lava field at Saleaula are extensive enough to be visible in high altitude photographs
.
covering primary
and secondary
schooling in villages. Education in Samoa is compulsory for children aged 5-years to 14-years or until the completion of Year 8.
Entrance to secondary education is determined by a National Examinination at Year 8. Top achievers in government schools can enter Samoa College
on Upolu
island with the next group offered places at Vaipouli College
in Gaga'emauga
district on the island's central north coast. The rest attend the nearest secondary school in their district. With most of the land in the country under customary ownership in village settlements, schooling and education is a joint responsibility between the government and villages, governed at the local level by matai
.
were forced to sell logging rights to their native forests in 1990, to pay for their school buildings, following threat of closure from the government. An American ethnobotanist, Paul Cox
, who had lived in the village with his family, raised funds internationally to save the school and create a conservation covenant with matai to protect their native forest.
, Australia
and Japan
through their foreign aid programmes. In 2006, a bilateral partnership between AusAID (Australia) and NZAID
(New Zealand) with the Asia Development Bank launched an education sector program (ESPII) focusing on primary and secondary education over a number of years. The contribution from AUSaid is up to $14 million dollars with NZAID committing NZ$12.5 million over five years. Australia is also contributing $2 million dollars towards a School Fee Grant Scheme to 163 primary schools during 2009-2010.Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) also constributes significant aid towards education.
in the country are available on Upolu
island, the location of the National University of Samoa
and the Alafua Campus of the regional University of the South Pacific
.
International volunteer programmes including the American Peace Corps
also provide teachers throughout schools in Savai'i and the rest of the country.
is the only public library
on the island. It is situated by the old market in the township of Salelologa
at the east end of Savai'i. The library is a branch of the central Samoa Public Library
in the capital Apia on Upolu
island.
Samoa gained political independence from New Zealand
on 1 January 1962. However, independence celebrations take place on 1 June, each year.
, Savai'i came under the Allies 'Samoa Defense Group' which included Upolu, Tutuila
and Wallis Island
and later extended in 1944 to cover bases in other islands such as Bora Bora
and the Cook Islands
.
A military governor of the Samoa Defense Group was Brigadier General Henry L. Larsen who had secret orders mandating a defensive position of the islands from east to west. The code name for the entire group of islands was 'Straw' and the code name for Savai'i was 'Strawman.' The code for Upolu was 'Strawhat,' Tutuila 'Strawstack' while Wallis Island was 'Strawboard.' A small base was set up on the central north coast village of Fagamalo
, which had a wharf and achorage. Fagamalo was the main village for the colonial administration at the time on Savai'i, situated where the small post office is today.
On 18 May 1942 the 3rd Marine Brigade with 4,853 officers and men were on Upolu and Savai'i under the command of Brigadier General Charles D. Barrett.
In October 1839, Savai'i and the Samoa Islands were surveyed by the famous United States Exploring Expedition
led by Charles Wilkes
. The survey of Savai'i was performed by Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold aboard the U.S. Brig Porpoise. Wilkes and other ships in the expedition were surveying Upolu and Tutuila
at the same time. The Porpoise first touched down at the village of Sapapali'i
. Some of the team, Dr Pickering and Lieutenant Maury were dropped off while the brig surveyed the island's coastline and tides. Dr Pickering and the lieutenant were hosted by the resident missionary at Sapapali'i, the Reverend Mr. Hardie. The Porpoise examined the bay of Palauli
where there was a missionary station under the supervision of a Mr M'Donald. Wilkes' report also described Saleaula
village, Asau
at the west end of the island and 'the beautiful village of Falealupo
' which was under the charge of a Tonga
n missionary. At the 'north point' of the island, the brig found 'good anchorage' in the bay of Matautu
(where the village of Fagamalo is situated). The brig was anchored and the harbour surveyed. Wilkes' wrote that this was the habour on the island where a vessel could anchor in safety. Here, in Matautu, the explorers noticed a difference with other parts of Savai'i.
On the 24th of October, Wilkes writes, that the Porpoise arrived back at Sapapali'i village, having been gone nine days. The team met paramount chief Malietoa
and his son at the village. With local guides Dr Pickering had travelled some way into the interior of the island, reaching one side of a volcanic crater about one thousand feet above the sea and some seven miles (11 km) inland.
One the 10th November, 1839, the Wilkes Expedition weighed anchor at Apia and sailed westward, and on the 11th of November, had lost sight of Savai'i.
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
and the Samoa Islands chain. It is also the biggest landmass in Polynesia
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
outside Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The island of Savai'i is also referred to by Samoans as Salafai, a classical Samoan
Samoan language
Samoan Samoan Samoan (Gagana Sāmoa, is the language of the Samoan Islands, comprising the independent country of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa. It is an official language—alongside English—in both jurisdictions. Samoan, a Polynesian language, is the first language for most...
term used in oratory and prose. The island is home to 43,142 people (2006 Census) who make up 24% of the country's population.
The only township and ferry terminal is Salelologa
Salelologa
Salelologa is a village district at the east end of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is the main entry point into the island with the only ferry terminal on Savai'i...
, the main entry point to the island, situated at the east end of Savai'i. A tar sealed road serves as the one main highway, connecting most of the villages with local buses reaching most settlements.
Savai'i is made up of six itūmālō (political districts
Districts of Samoa
Samoa is made up of eleven itūmālō . These are the traditional eleven districts that were established well before European arrival...
). Each district is made up of villages with strong traditional ties of kinship, history, land and matai
Fa'amatai
Fa'amatai is the chiefly system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society.It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in the Samoa Islands, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa...
chief titles. There are also some limited ecotourism development which operate mostly within the villages. The Mau
Mau movement
The Mau was a non-violent movement for Samoan independence from colonial rule during the early 1900s. The word 'Mau' means 'opinion' or 'testimony' denoting 'firm strength' in Samoan...
, Samoa's non-violent movement for political independence during colonialism
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
in the early 1900s, had its beginnings on Savai'i with the Mau a Pule movement.
The island is the largest shield volcano
Shield volcano
A shield volcano is a type of volcano usually built almost entirely of fluid lava flows. They are named for their large size and low profile, resembling a warrior's shield. This is caused by the highly fluid lava they erupt, which travels farther than lava erupted from more explosive volcanoes...
in the South Pacific
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
with recent eruptions in the early 1900s. The central region comprise the Central Savai'i Rainforest
Central Savai'i Rainforest
The Samoan tropical moist forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion in the Samoan Islands. They cover an area of .The Central Savai'i Rainforest, comprising an area of 72,699 hectares on the island of Savai'i in the Samoan Islands, is the largest continuous patch of rainforest in...
, 72,699 hectares which forms the largest continuous patch of rainforest in Polynesia. It is dotted with more than 100 volcanic craters and contains most of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
's native species of flora and fauna, making it globally significant in world conservation areas.
Society & Culture
Fa'a SamoaFa'a Samoa
Fa'a Samoa means literally The Samoan Way which describes the socio-political and cultural way of life for the people of the Samoan Islands....
, the unique traditional culture and way of life in Samoan society, remains strong in Savai'i where there are fewer signs of modern life and less development than the island of Upolu
Upolu
Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long, in area, and is the second largest in geographic area as well as the most populated of the Samoan Islands. Upolu is situated to the east of...
where the capital Apia is situated.
Samoan society is communal and based on extended family relationships and socio-cultural obligations, so that kinship and genealogies are important. These fa'a Samoa values are also associated with concepts of love (alofa), service (tautua) to family and community, respect (fa'aaloalo) and discipline (usita'i). Most families are made up of a number of different households situated close to each other.
Like the rest of Samoa, Savai'i is made up of villages with most of the land collectively owned by families or 'aiga.' Most people on Savai'i, 93% of the island population, live on customary land
Customary land
Customary land is land which is owned by Indigenous communities and administered in accordance with their customs, as opposed to statutory tenure usually introduced during the colonial periods. Common ownership is one form of customary land ownership....
. The heads of the family are called Matai
Fa'amatai
Fa'amatai is the chiefly system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society.It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in the Samoa Islands, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa...
the holders of family names and titles. An extended family can have a number of chiefs with different chief titles. Men and women in Samoa have equal rights to chief titles which are bestowed by consensus of the extended family. Traditionally, male and female roles are defined by labours and tasks, chiefly status and age. Women play an important role contributing to family decisions as well as village governance. Elders are revered and respected. Social relationships are dictated by cultural etiquettes of politeness and common greetings.
The Samoan language
Samoan language
Samoan Samoan Samoan (Gagana Sāmoa, is the language of the Samoan Islands, comprising the independent country of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa. It is an official language—alongside English—in both jurisdictions. Samoan, a Polynesian language, is the first language for most...
has a 'polite' and formal variant used in Samoan oratory and ceremony as well as in communication with elders, guests, people of rank and strangers. In all villages, the majority of people are largely sustained by plantation work and fishing with financial assistance from relatives working in Apia or overseas.
Most people live in coastal villages although there are some settlements inland such as the villages of Aopo
Aopo
Aopo is a village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. It is in the political district of Gaga'ifomauga.The village is located inland from the north coast of Savai'i, close to the main lava field from the island's volcanic cones....
, Patamea
Patamea
Patamea is a village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. While most villages on Savai'i are situated near the sea, Patamea is situated inland, away from the coast...
and Sili
Sili
Sili is a village on the south side of Savai'i island in Samoa. Sili is situated inland, unlike most villages in Samoa which are settlements by the sea. The village lies within the electoral constituency of Palauli....
.
Behind the villages are cultivated plantations with crops of taro
Taro
Taro is a common name for the corms and tubers of several plants in the family Araceae . Of these, Colocasia esculenta is the most widely cultivated, and is the subject of this article. More specifically, this article describes the 'dasheen' form of taro; another variety is called eddoe.Taro is...
, cocoa koko, coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
s popo, yams
Yam (vegetable)
Yam is the common name for some species in the genus Dioscorea . These are perennial herbaceous vines cultivated for the consumption of their starchy tubers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania...
palai, 'ava
Samoa 'ava ceremony
The Ava Ceremony is one of the most important customs of the Samoa Islands involving a solemn ritual where a ceremonial beverage is shared to mark most important occasions in Samoan society. The Samoan word ava is a cognate of the Polynesian word kava associated with the kava cultures in Oceania...
, fruit and vegetables as well other native plants such as pandanus
Pandanus
Pandanus is a genus of monocots with about 600 known species. They are numerous palmlike dioecious trees and shrubs native of the Old World tropics and subtropics. They are classified in the order Pandanales, family Pandanaceae.-Overview:...
for weaving 'ie toga fine mats and bark for tapa cloth
Tapa cloth
Tapa cloth is a bark cloth made in the islands of the Pacific Ocean, primarily in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, but as far afield as Niue, Cook Islands, Futuna, Solomon Islands, Java, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Hawaii...
.
There is a church in every village, mostly Christian denominations. Sunday is sacred and a day of rest as 98% of Samoans identify themselves as religious. White Sunday
White Sunday
White Sunday is the debut solo album of New Zealand hip-hop artist, Mareko released in 2003. A limited edition of the album was released in 2006. The name is a reference to a Samoan holiday that happens on the second Sunday in October...
is one of the most important days of the year in Samoa when children are treated with special attention by their families and community.
Politics
With the country's independence in 1962, Samoa incorporates both traditional political structures alongside a western parliamentary system. The modern national Government of Samoa, based in the capital Apia with the roles of Prime Minister, Members of Parliament and western styled political structure, is referred to as the Malo. Only Samoans with chief mataiFa'amatai
Fa'amatai is the chiefly system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society.It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in the Samoa Islands, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa...
titles are eligible to become Members of Parliament.
Alongside Samoa's national and modern political structure is traditional authority vested in family chiefs (matai). The term Pule is applied to traditional authority in Savai'i.
The word Pule refers to appointments or authorities conferred on certain clans or individuals, sometime in the political history of Samoa. This traditional Pule authority was centred in certain villages around Savai'i. In the early 20th century, these Pule areas on Savai'i island were Safotulafai
Safotulafai
Safotulafai is a traditional sub-district at the east end of Savai'i island with historical and political significance in Samoa's history. It is the traditional centre of Fa'asaleleaga political district....
, Saleaula
Saleaula
Sale'aula is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa and is the traditional center of the Gaga'emauga political district...
, Safotu
Safotu
Safotu is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. Safotu is in the district Gagaifomauga. Traditionally, it attained the status of 'Pule,' customary political authority, and has been the main centre of the Gagaifomauga district....
, Asau, Satupa'itea
Satupa'itea
Satupa'itea is a large village district with four sub-villages on the south east coast of Savai'i Island in Samoa.In the country's modern political divisions, Satupa'itea is also a Political District , one of 11 in the country, which now includes the traditional area of Salega.-Satupa'itea village...
and Palauli
Palauli
Palauli is a district and village of Samoa, with a population of 8,984. It consists of two sections on the southern side of Savai'i...
. Safotu, Asau, Satupa'itea and Vailoa
Vailoa
Vailoa is a village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. Vailoa is the capital of Palauli district on the south east of the island....
(Palauli
Palauli
Palauli is a district and village of Samoa, with a population of 8,984. It consists of two sections on the southern side of Savai'i...
district) gained 'Pule' status at different times in the 19th Century, and together with the two older Pule districts, Safotulafai and Saleaula, became the six Pule centres on Savai'i.
In 1908, the 'Mau a Pule' resistance movement to colonial rule, which grew to become the national Mau movement
Mau movement
The Mau was a non-violent movement for Samoan independence from colonial rule during the early 1900s. The word 'Mau' means 'opinion' or 'testimony' denoting 'firm strength' in Samoan...
, began on Savai'i and represented traditional authority against the German administration of Samoa. The equivalent term 'Tumua' is associated with traditional authority on Upolu island.
At the local level throughout Samoa, traditional authority is vested in a chiefs' council (fono o matai) in each village. The fono o matai carry out 'village law' and socio-political governance based on their traditional authority and fa'a Samoa. The authority of the 'matai' is balanced against central government, the Malo. Most of the matai are males, however, the women in each village also have a voice in domestic affairs through the women's committees.
The main government administration offices of the Malo on Savai'i are situated in the village of Tuasivi
Tuasivi
Tuasivi is a village situated on the north east coast of Savai'i island in Samoa.The village is in the electoral political district of Fa'asaleleaga.Tuasivi is the main centre for government administration on Savai'i...
, 10 minutes north of the ferry terminal and market at Salelologa
Salelologa
Salelologa is a village district at the east end of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is the main entry point into the island with the only ferry terminal on Savai'i...
. There's a district hospital, police station, post office and court houses in Tuasivi.
Va'ai Kolone
Va'ai Kolone
Va'ai Kolone was a Prime Minister of Samoa and a founder of the Human Rights Protection Party in Samoa. He served as Prime Minister twice, first between 13 April and 18 September 1982, and then from 30 December 1985 until 8 April 1988...
, a matai and businessman from Vaisala, at the west end of the island, became the Prime Minister of Samoa
Prime Minister of Samoa
This is a list of Prime Ministers of Samoa from the establishment of that office in 1875 until the present day.-List of Prime Ministers of Samoa :-See also:*Samoa**Politics of Samoa...
twice in the 1980s.
Samoa has 11 political districts (itūmālō) and 6 are in Savai'i; Fa'asaleleaga
Fa'asaleleaga
Fa'asaleleaga is a district of Samoa situated on the eastern side of Savai'i island. It has a population of 12,949 .The traditional capital is Safotulafai where district chiefs and orators meet at Fuifatu malae...
, Gaga'emauga
Gaga'emauga
Gaga'emauga is an electoral district on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. The district is situated on the central north side of Savai'i. The name Gaga'emauga literally means: “near side of the mountain” meaning the eastern side of the mountain chain running through the centre of ...
, Gaga'ifomauga
Gaga'ifomauga
Gaga'ifomauga is a political district on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. The district is situated on the northern side of the island with a population of 4,770 ....
, Palauli
Palauli
Palauli is a district and village of Samoa, with a population of 8,984. It consists of two sections on the southern side of Savai'i...
, Satupa'itea
Satupa'itea
Satupa'itea is a large village district with four sub-villages on the south east coast of Savai'i Island in Samoa.In the country's modern political divisions, Satupa'itea is also a Political District , one of 11 in the country, which now includes the traditional area of Salega.-Satupa'itea village...
and Vaisigano
Vaisigano
Vaisigano is a political district at the western tip of Savai'i island in Samoa. The capital of the district is Asau.This area is also referred to as 'Itu Asau' in the Samoan language.The population of Vaisigano is 6,643 ....
.
Scenery & Landscape
Savai'i is mountainous, fertile and surrounded by coral reefs. Lonely Planet describes the Savai'i landscape as 'spectacular tropical terrain'. The island has a gently sloping profile, reaching a maximum altitude of 1,858 metres at Mt SilisiliSilisili
Mount Silisili is the highest peak in Samoa and the Samoa Islands chain. It is located in the centre of a mountain chain running the length of Savai'i island.Mount Silisili rises to a height of 1,858 m...
, the highest peak in the country and the Samoa Islands chain. Volcanic craters in the highlands are strung across the central ridges from Tuasivi
Tuasivi
Tuasivi is a village situated on the north east coast of Savai'i island in Samoa.The village is in the electoral political district of Fa'asaleleaga.Tuasivi is the main centre for government administration on Savai'i...
(literally, backbone) village in the east towards Cape Mulinu'u to the west. The lava fields at Saleaula
Saleaula
Sale'aula is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa and is the traditional center of the Gaga'emauga political district...
village on the central north coast are the result of volcanic eruptions from Mt Matavanu
Mt Matavanu
Mt Matavanu is an active volcano on the island of Savai'i in Samoa.The most recent eruptions from Matavanu occurred between 1905 - 1911 with lava flows on its northern side flowing towards the island's coastline and into the sea in the district of Gaga'emauga....
(1905–1911). Most of the coastline are palm fringed beaches and there are rainforests, waterfalls, caves, freshwater pools, blowholes and coral reefs. There are also numerous archaeological sites, including star mounds, fortifications and pyramids such as the Pulemelei Mound
Pulemelei Mound
The Pulemelei mound is the largest and most ancient structure in Polynesia.It is situated in Letolo Plantation in the Palauli district, at the east end of Savai'i island in Samoa....
in Palauli
Palauli
Palauli is a district and village of Samoa, with a population of 8,984. It consists of two sections on the southern side of Savai'i...
district. Archaeology in Samoa
Archaeology in Samoa
Archaeology of Samoa began with the first systematic survey of archaeological remains on Savai'i island by Jack Golson in 1957. Since then, surveys and studies in the rest of Samoa have uncovered major findings of settlements, stone and earth mounds including star mounds, Lapita pottery remains and...
has uncovered many pre-historic settlements including sites at Vailoa
Vailoa
Vailoa is a village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. Vailoa is the capital of Palauli district on the south east of the island....
and Sapapali'i
Sapapali'i
Sapapali'i is a village on the north east coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is the village where John Williams, the first missionary to bring Christianity to Samoa landed in 1830. Sapapali'i is in the Fa'asaleleaga political district....
.
An island of myths & legends
Samoan mythologySamoan mythology
Samoan mythology tell stories of many different gods. There were gods of the forest, the seas, rain, harvest, villages and war. There were two types of gods, atua who had non-human origins and aitu who were of human origin. Tagaloa was a supreme god who made the islands and the people. Mafui'e was...
tell stories of different gods. There were gods of the forest, the seas, rain, harvest, villages and war. There were two types of gods, atua who had non-human origins and aitu who were of human origin. Tagaloa
Tagaloa
In Samoan mythology, Tagaloa is generally accepted as the supreme ruler, the creator of the universe, the chief of all gods and the progenitor of other gods and humans. Tagaloa dwelt in space and made the Heavens , the sky, the land, the seas, the fresh water, the trees and the people...
was a supreme god who made the islands and the people. Mafui'e
Mafui'e
In Polynesian mythology , Mafui'e is the god of earthquakes.Mafui'e was the keeper of fire. Ti'i Ti'i won the fire from Mafui'e in a battle and thus fire was brought to the people of Samoa....
was the god of earthquakes. Rich in Polynesian history and oral tradition, Savai'i is mentioned in myths and legends across the Pacific Islands
Pacific Islands
The Pacific Islands comprise 20,000 to 30,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are also sometimes collectively called Oceania, although Oceania is sometimes defined as also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago....
and has been called the Cradle of Polynesia. There were also a number of war gods. Nafanua
Nafanua
Nafanua is the name of the revered Goddess of War in Samoa and a deity in Polynesian Mythology.According to Samoan mythology, Nafanua was the daughter of Saveasi'uleo, the God of Pulotu, Samoa's spirit world. In one legend, Nafanua's mother was Tilafaiga the sister of Taema.-Background:Nafanua is a...
, Samoa's warrior goddess hails from the village of Falealupo
Falealupo
Falealupo is a village in Samoa situated at the west end of Savai'i island from the dateline. The village has two main settlements, Falealupo-Uta, situated inland by the main island highway and Falealupo-Tai, situated by the sea...
at the west end of the island, which is also the site of the entry into Pulotu
Pulotu
In the mythology of parts of western Polynesia , Pulotu is the underworld, the world of darkness ....
, the spirit world. Nafanua's father Saveasi'uleo
Saveasi'uleo
Saveasi'uleo is the God of Pulotu, the underworld of spirits or Hades in Samoan mythology.He is the father of Nafanua the Goddess of War in Samoa...
was the god of Pulotu. Another well known legend tells of two sisters Tilafaiga
Tilafaiga
According to a legend in Samoan mythology Tilafaiga was one of the siamese twin sisters who brought the art of tatau to Samoa from Fiti...
and Taema
Taema
Taema is the name of a female figure referred to in different legends in Samoan mythology.-Different Legends:*One well known legend relates that Taema and her sister Tila faiga were the goddesses of tattooers. The sisters brought the art of tattooing to Samoa from Fiti. As they swam, the sisters...
bringing the art of tattooing to Samoa from Fiti. Tilafaiga is the mother of Nafanua. The Mata o le Alelo
Mata o le Alelo
Mata o le Alelo is a village pool in Samoa associated with the Polynesian legend Sina and the Eel.Mata o le Alelo is in the small village of Matavai, in the village district Safune on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa....
'Eyes of the Demon' freshwater pool from the Polynesian legend Sina and the Eel
Sina and the Eel
Sina and the Eel is a myth of origins in Samoan mythology which explains the origins of the first coconut tree.In the Samoan language the legend is called Sina ma le Tuna. Tuna is the Samoan word for 'eel'....
is situated in the village of Matavai on the north coast in the village district of Safune
Safune
Safune is a traditional village district on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. It lies within the electoral constituency of Gaga'ifomauga. Safune is the birthplace of Mau leader Olaf Frederick Nelson and the filming location of Moana , one of the first documentaries made in the world...
. Another figure of legend is Tui Fiti
Tui Fiti
Tui Fiti or Tuifiti is the name of a figure referred to in different legends in Samoan mythology and in other parts of Polynesia. In other stories,'Tui Fiti' means 'high chief of Fiti.'-Savai'i:...
who resides at Fagamalo
Fagamalo
Fagamalo is a village situated on the central north coast of Savai'i in Samoa. It is a sub-village or pito nu'u of the larger traditional village enclave of Matautu in the political district of Gaga'emauga....
village in the village district of Matautu
Matautu
Matautu is the name of different villages in Samoa. Places named Matautu are found on the two largest islands, Upolu and Savai'i.-Matautu, Upolu Island:On Upolu island;...
on the central north coast. The village of Falelima
Falelima
Falelima is a village on the southwest corner of Savai'i island in Samoa. The village is part of the electoral constituency Alataua West which forms part of the larger political district of Vaisigano.-Mythology:...
is associated with a dreaded spirit deity called Nifoloa.
Savaii is known as the ’soul of Samoa’. "Here the 20th century has put down the shallowest roots, and the faa Samoa – the Samoan way – has the most meaning."
Flora & Fauna
Flora
The tropical climate and fertile soil results in a variety of flora. Vegetation types include littoral, wetland and volcanic vegetation. RainforestRainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
s include coastal, lowland and montane
Montane
In biogeography, montane is the highland area located below the subalpine zone. Montane regions generally have cooler temperatures and often have higher rainfall than the adjacent lowland regions, and are frequently home to distinct communities of plants and animals.The term "montane" means "of the...
forests (above 500m elevation). Cloud forest
Cloud forest
A cloud forest, also called a fog forest, is a generally tropical or subtropical evergreen montane moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud cover, usually at the canopy level. Cloud forests often exhibit an abundance of mosses covering the ground and...
s are located in the highest elevations of the island which are often under cloud cover with wet conditions.
At Mt Silisili, cloud forest occur above 1200m elevation. The Savai‘i forest is dominated by a 15 to 20 m high canopy of Dysoxylum huntii, Omalanthus acuminatus, Reynoldsia pleiosperma and Weinmannia samoense. Other common trees include Coprosma savaiiense, Psychotria xanthochlora, Spiraeanthemum samoense and Streblus anthropophagorum. There are nearly 500 species of flowering plants and about 200 species of ferns in Samoa, making it richer than that of any tropical Polynesian island other than those in the Hawaiian archipelago. About 25% of the species are endemic to Samoa.
The variety of tropical plant life is also a material source for floral adornment, tapa cloth
Tapa cloth
Tapa cloth is a bark cloth made in the islands of the Pacific Ocean, primarily in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, but as far afield as Niue, Cook Islands, Futuna, Solomon Islands, Java, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Hawaii...
, 'ie toga, perfumes, coconut oil
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconuts harvested from the coconut palm . Throughout the tropical world, it has provided the primary source of fat in the diets of millions of people for generations. It has various applications in food, medicine, and industry...
as well as herbs and plants for traditional medicines. Common plants with everyday usage include the smooth reddish purple leaves of the ti (Dracaena terminalis) plant used with coconut oil for traditional massage, fofo, and the dried root stems of Piper methysticum (Piper Latin for "pepper", methysticum Greek for "intoxicating") are mixed with water for the important Ava Ceremony conducted during cultural events and gatherings.
Fauna
Samoa Flying-fox
The Samoa Flying Fox or Samoan Flying Fox is a species of megabat in the Pteropodidae family. It is found in American Samoa, Fiji, and Samoa. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests...
(Pteropus samoensis), land and sea birds, skinks and geckos. The birdlife of Samoa includes a total of 82 species, of which 10 are endemic, found only in Samoa. Endemic birdlife found only on Savai'i include endangered species Samoan White-eye
Samoan White-eye
The Samoan White-eye is a species of bird in the Zosteropidae family.It is endemic to the island of Savai'i in Samoa....
(Zosterops samoensis) found in the high cloud forests and alpine scrub around Mt Silisili
Silisili
Mount Silisili is the highest peak in Samoa and the Samoa Islands chain. It is located in the centre of a mountain chain running the length of Savai'i island.Mount Silisili rises to a height of 1,858 m...
, and Samoan Moorhen
Samoan Wood Rail
The Samoan Wood Rail , also known as Samoan Moorhen, is a nearly flightless rail endemic to the Samoan island of Savai'i, and probably extinct...
(Gallinula pacifica), which was last recorded in 1873 near Aopo
Aopo
Aopo is a village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. It is in the political district of Gaga'ifomauga.The village is located inland from the north coast of Savai'i, close to the main lava field from the island's volcanic cones....
with possible sightings in 1984 and 2003.
There are 5 species of frigatebird
Frigatebird
The frigatebirds are a family, Fregatidae, of seabirds. There are five species in the single genus Fregata. They are also sometimes called Man of War birds or Pirate birds. Since they are related to the pelicans, the term "frigate pelican" is also a name applied to them...
s worldwide and 2 species are found in Samoa. The Tooth-billed Pigeon
Tooth-billed Pigeon
The Tooth-billed Pigeon also known as Samoan Pigeon, is a medium-sized, approximately 34 cm long, dark pigeon with reddish feet and bare skin around eye. The underparts, head and neck are blackish with a slight blue-green iridescence, and the tail, wings-coverts and tertials are chestnut,...
, (Didunculus strigirostris), also known as Samoan Pigeon is confined to undisturbed forests such as the rainforests in Tafua
Tafua
Tafua is a seaside village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. It is situated on a peninsula on the southeast coast of the island in Palauli district.The population is 408 .-Tafua Rainforest Preserve:...
, at the east end of the island. It is the national bird of Samoa and is called the Manumea. Samoa has more native species of ferns and butterflies than New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, a country 85 times larger. In 2006, research samples of the Blue Moon butterfly species (Hypolimnas bolina
Hypolimnas bolina
The Great Eggfly , also called the Blue Moon Butterfly in New Zealand or Common Eggfly, is a species of nymphalid butterfly.-Race bolina:...
) on Savai'i found that males accounted for just 1% of the population and had almost been wiped out by an invasive species. Sampling a year later showed a dramatic comeback and recovery to 40%.
The surrounding Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, coral reefs and lagoons are rich in marine life and some are harvested as an important source of food in an economy that is mainly subsistence with locals reliant on the land and the ocean for survival. Dolphins, whales and porpoises migrate through Samoa's waters.
The Palolo Reef Worm
Palolo worm
The palolo worm or Samoan palolo worm is a species of invertebrate in the Eunicidae family. They live in tropical coral reefs. Adults are about long and resemble spaghetti when viewed underwater.-Life cycle:...
(Eunice viridis) is a Samoan cuisine delicacy which appear in the ocean only one day of the year. Palolo has cultural significance and entire villages flock to the sea for harvest.
Surrounded by a variety of tropical fauna, Samoan mythology
Samoan mythology
Samoan mythology tell stories of many different gods. There were gods of the forest, the seas, rain, harvest, villages and war. There were two types of gods, atua who had non-human origins and aitu who were of human origin. Tagaloa was a supreme god who made the islands and the people. Mafui'e was...
is rich with stories of animals incorporated into their culture, traditional beliefs and way of life.
Conservation
The island is rich in biodiversityBiodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
and endemic native species which are also highly threatened. The Central Savai'i Rainforest
Central Savai'i Rainforest
The Samoan tropical moist forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion in the Samoan Islands. They cover an area of .The Central Savai'i Rainforest, comprising an area of 72,699 hectares on the island of Savai'i in the Samoan Islands, is the largest continuous patch of rainforest in...
comprising 72,699 hectares is the largest continuous patch of rainforest in Polynesia
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
and contains most of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
's native species. Seventy percent of Samoa's settlements are by the coast with increasing threat from climate change and sea level rising. As most of the land in Samoa is under customary ownership, conservation projects are developed with the approval and cooperation of villages. The Government of Samoa supports conservation covenants for three natural areas on Savai'i, the Falealupo
Falealupo
Falealupo is a village in Samoa situated at the west end of Savai'i island from the dateline. The village has two main settlements, Falealupo-Uta, situated inland by the main island highway and Falealupo-Tai, situated by the sea...
Rainforest Preserve, Tafua
Tafua
Tafua is a seaside village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. It is situated on a peninsula on the southeast coast of the island in Palauli district.The population is 408 .-Tafua Rainforest Preserve:...
Rainforest Preserve and Aopo
Aopo
Aopo is a village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. It is in the political district of Gaga'ifomauga.The village is located inland from the north coast of Savai'i, close to the main lava field from the island's volcanic cones....
Cloud Forest Reserve. The conservation projects are a partnership between the local matai
Fa'amatai
Fa'amatai is the chiefly system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society.It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in the Samoa Islands, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa...
and villages, government, conservation organisations and international funding such as the United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
(UNDP). These support community based projects in villages, many of which are developed with international support and micro financing in areas of sustainable livelihoods, land management and conservation on both land and in coastal marine areas. There are wetlands in the village of Sato'alepai
Sato'alepai
Sato'alepai is a village situated on the central north coast of the island of Savai'i in Samoa. Sato'alepai is in the political district of Gaga'emauga....
on the central north coast where large sea green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are kept by the locals as an eco-tourism experience for visitors and provide extra income for communities. Another turtle habitat is at the village of Auala
Auala
Auala is a small village on the northwest coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. The village is in the electoral constituency of Vaisigano East which forms part of the larger political district of Vaisigano....
on the north west coast.
Travel information
Ferry Terminal
SalelologaSalelologa
Salelologa is a village district at the east end of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is the main entry point into the island with the only ferry terminal on Savai'i...
is the main port and township, situated at the east end of the island where the inter-island ferry terminal is located. A regular passenger and vehicle ferry operates seven days a week in the Apolima Strait
Apolima Strait
The Apolima Strait is about 13km wide and separates the two largest islands of Samoa, the island of Savai'i to the northwest, and Upolu to the southeast....
between Salelologa and Mulifanua
Mulifanua
Mulifanua is a village on the north-western tip of the island of Upolu, in Samoa. In the modern era, it is the capital of Aiga-i-le-Tai district...
wharf on Upolu. The ferry crossing takes about 90-minutes with views of Apolima
Apolima
Apolima is the smallest of the four inhabited islands of Samoa and situated in the Apolima Strait, between the country's two largest islands Upolu to the east and Savai'i to the west....
and Manono
Manono Island
Manono is an island of Samoa, situated in the Apolima Strait between the main islands of Savai'i and Upolu, 3.4 km WNW off Lefatu Cape, the westernmost point of Upolu....
islands to the south. The ferries operate only during the day. Local buses and taxis are available at the terminal and township. There's also a wharf at Asau at the north west end of the island, sometimes used for yachting.
Driving
Savai'i has an excellent tar-seal road circling the island. A leisurely drive around the island takes under 3 hours. The scenic drive is mostly along the coastline where most of the locals live in villages. Driving in Samoa is on the left side of the road, effective from 7 September 2009 when the government changed the law to bring motoring in line with neighbouring countries. Samoa is the first country in the 21st century to switch to driving on the left.Airport
Maota AirportMaota Airport
Maota Airport is the main domestic airport on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. It is situated near Salelologa at the east end of Savai'i. The airport is located 10 minutes south of Salelologa township and ferry terminal. The airport has been in operation since the early 1990s...
is a small airstrip with basic facilities situated 10-minutes south of Salelologa ferry terminal and township. Flights operate between Maota airstrip and Faleolo International Airport
Faleolo International Airport
Faleolo International Airport is an airport located west of Apia, the capital of Samoa.Until 1984, Faleolo could not accommodate jets larger than a Boeing 737...
on Upolu. However, the schedule can be sporadic. The inter-island flights take about 10-minutes.Asau Airport
Asau Airport
Asau Airport is a small domestic airfield located in the thick dense jungle at the northwest end of Savai'i in Samoa. The airport is in the village of Asau and mainly services chartered flights.This airport is open daily for 12 hours a day...
is an airstrip at the north west end of the island which mainly services chartered flights.
Amenities
A local market (open Monday - Saturday) at Salelologa sells fresh produce of fruit, vegetables and local crafts. There are also clothing stores, several small supermarkets, a wholesaler, petrol stations, bakeries, budget hotels and accommodation, buses, taxis, rental car companies as well as public amenities such as internet access, banks and Western Union money transfer outlets. There are small local shops in every village around Savai'i, selling basic groceries. Markets and most shops in Samoa close on Sundays with smaller outlets opening late afternoon after church services.Hospitals
The main hospital on Savai'i is the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital, situated in TuasiviTuasivi
Tuasivi is a village situated on the north east coast of Savai'i island in Samoa.The village is in the electoral political district of Fa'asaleleaga.Tuasivi is the main centre for government administration on Savai'i...
village. Another district hospital is in Safotu
Safotu
Safotu is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. Safotu is in the district Gagaifomauga. Traditionally, it attained the status of 'Pule,' customary political authority, and has been the main centre of the Gagaifomauga district....
, on the central north coast.
Eco-Tourism
Cultural context
With most of the land in Samoa under customary ownershipCustomary land
Customary land is land which is owned by Indigenous communities and administered in accordance with their customs, as opposed to statutory tenure usually introduced during the colonial periods. Common ownership is one form of customary land ownership....
with local governance by matai
Fa'amatai
Fa'amatai is the chiefly system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society.It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in the Samoa Islands, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa...
, tourism experiences take place on village land and within local culture. There are hotels, but like the rest of Samoa, many villages provide beach fale
Beach fale
Beach fale is a modern term for a simple thatched hut in Samoa. They are also common in other parts of Polynesia. They have become popular in tourism as low budget accommodation situated by the coast, built with a few posts, no walls and a thatched roof with a round or oval shape.The word fale is...
accommodation for visitors all around the island such as Manase
Manase
Manase is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa in the political district of Gagaifomauga.Situated by the sea with a white sandy beach, Manase has become a popular tourist destination since the 1990s with low budget and locally owned beach fale accommodation.There is a...
on the central north coast. These are small local businesses run by families within their villages and most of the income goes directly back to the community.
There are island tours, diving, fishing, plantation trips, treks and other tourism related activities. Most shops are closed on Sundays with a few re-opening after church services in late afternoon. Every day, evening prayer (sa) takes place in every village around dusk before the evening meal and lasts about half an hour. It is usually signalled by the sound of a conch shell or the ringing of the church bell. The sa usually means no loud noise or walking through the village commons. Matai sometimes stand by the side of the main road, which pass through village land, to slow down traffic until prayers are over. Tourism is overseen by the government Samoa Visitors' Bureau, situated in the capital Apia, which can also help to settle disputes. At the village level, much of the country's civil and criminal matters can be dealt with directly by the matai chief village councils.
The last sunset in the world
The village of FalealupoFalealupo
Falealupo is a village in Samoa situated at the west end of Savai'i island from the dateline. The village has two main settlements, Falealupo-Uta, situated inland by the main island highway and Falealupo-Tai, situated by the sea...
on the western most point of Savai'i, is just 20 miles (32.2 km) from the dateline, and arguably the last place in the world to see the sunset each day. Falealupo was the site of Millenium 2000 celebrations and reported by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
as 'the last place on earth to enter the new millennium.' Falealupo also has protected rainforests.
Surfing
Savai'i has excellent surfingSurfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
off reef breaks all around the island, with the best waves during summer on the north coast and the south coast in winter. The conditions are not for novice surfers and there can be dangerous undercurrents and rips. Satuiatua
Satuiatua
Satuiatua is a village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. It is situated on the central south coast of the island in Palauli district.The population is 286 ....
Beach Fales on the south-west coast is owned by locals and was one of the first tourism accommodations attracting surfers. Other surfing spots around Savai'i include breaks off the villages of Lano
Lano village
Lano is a village on the north east coast of Savai'i island in Samoa.The village is part of the electoral constituency Fa'asaleleaga IV which is within the larger political district of Fa'asaleleaga....
, Aganoa Beach
Aganoa Beach
Aganoa Beach is situated on the east coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. The waters off the beach are a known surf reef break in the region and were the venue for the surfing competition at the 2007 South Pacific Games. The left and right breaks are paddling distance from the beach.There are beach...
by Tafua
Tafua
Tafua is a seaside village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. It is situated on a peninsula on the southeast coast of the island in Palauli district.The population is 408 .-Tafua Rainforest Preserve:...
, Lefagaoali'i
Lefagaoali'i
Lefagaoali'i is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. The village is in the electoral district of Gagaifomauga.The settlement is situated on a thin spit of land with the ocean on the north side and an inland lake with mangroves on the south side which flows out to the...
, Lelepa
Lelepa
Situated by the sea, Lelepa is a village on the north central coast of Savai'i island in Samoa.The village is part of the electoral constituency Gaga'emauga III which forms part of the larger political district of Gaga'emauga....
and Fagamalo
Fagamalo
Fagamalo is a village situated on the central north coast of Savai'i in Samoa. It is a sub-village or pito nu'u of the larger traditional village enclave of Matautu in the political district of Gaga'emauga....
.
Tourism Development
In 2008, an American company South Pacific Development Group (SPDG) obtained a 120-year lease for 600 acres (2.4 km²) of prime oceanfront customary land in SasinaSasina
Sasina is a village on the north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is located in the political district of Gagaifomauga. The population is 550 .The village is part of a conservation area which includes the village of Aopo...
, to build a luxury resort estimated to cost $450 – $500 million US dollars. The developers pay less than one penny per square foot of land per month. The development will include a casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
, timeshares and a cultural centre. The company is expecting to receive the casino licence for Savai'i island in a new law legalising casinos proposed by the government, the Casino and Gambling Bill 2010 tabled to parliament by the prime minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi is a Samoan politician who has been Prime Minister of Samoa since 1998.-Biography:Born at Lepa, Samoa, Malielegaoi is an economist by profession...
in March 2010.
The announcement of the tourist development raised concern among environmental group O Le Si'osi'omaga Society about the impact of the development. The Samoa Hotel Association also expressed concern at the size of the development and its impact on the island's environment and infrastructure. The development is supported by the Government of Samoa. The lease is unprecedented in Samoa where 80% of the land is under customary ownership, 6% freehold and the rest owned by the government.
Film
MoanaMoana
Moana is a documentary film, the first docufiction in the history of cinema, directed by Robert J. Flaherty, the creator of Nanook of the North . Moana was filmed in Samoa in the villages of Safune on the island of Savai'i...
(1926), one of the earliest documentaries made in the world, was filmed in Safune
Safune
Safune is a traditional village district on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. It lies within the electoral constituency of Gaga'ifomauga. Safune is the birthplace of Mau leader Olaf Frederick Nelson and the filming location of Moana , one of the first documentaries made in the world...
on the central north coast. The film was directed by Robert J. Flaherty
Robert J. Flaherty
Robert Joseph Flaherty, F.R.G.S. was an American filmmaker who directed and produced the first commercially successful feature length documentary film, Nanook of the North...
who lived with his wife and children in Safune for more than a year. A cave with a pool in Safune was converted into a film processing laboratory and two young men from the village were trained to work there. Flaherty cast people from Safune in the film including local boy Ta'avale who played the lead role of 'Moana.' Another boy called Pe'a played the role of Moana's younger brother. Pe'a later became a chief with the title Taulealeausumai from the village of Faletagaloa. Playing the lead female role in the film was Fa'agase, a girl from Lefagaoali'i
Lefagaoali'i
Lefagaoali'i is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. The village is in the electoral district of Gagaifomauga.The settlement is situated on a thin spit of land with the ocean on the north side and an inland lake with mangroves on the south side which flows out to the...
. The film also showed the young hero 'Moana' receiving a pe'a
Pe'a
The Pe'a is the popular name of the traditional male tattoo of Samoa, which was originally called the malofie, a term used in the Samoan language chiefly vocabulary and 'respect' register .-Description:...
, a traditional Samoan tattoo.
Geography
Savai'i island lies north west of Upolu. These two largest islands of Samoa are separated by the Apolima StraitApolima Strait
The Apolima Strait is about 13km wide and separates the two largest islands of Samoa, the island of Savai'i to the northwest, and Upolu to the southeast....
which is about 8 miles (12.9 km) wide with the small inhabited islands of Manono
Manono
Manono may refer to:* Manono Island, Samoa* Manono, Democratic Republic of the Congo * Manono, the Māori name given to plants of the Coprosma species Coprosma grandifolia, found in New Zealand....
and Apolima
Apolima
Apolima is the smallest of the four inhabited islands of Samoa and situated in the Apolima Strait, between the country's two largest islands Upolu to the east and Savai'i to the west....
between them.
Savai'i island is of volcanic origin and the mountainous interiors are covered with dense rain forests. The surrounding landscape consists of fertile plateaux and coastal plains with numerous rivers and streams.
Climate
The climate is oceanic tropical with high temperatures and humidity. The heaviest rainfall occurs between the months of November and April, and cyclones, which are relatively frequent, are most likely to occur during these same months. Two cyclones, Cyclone Ofa (1990) and Cyclone Valerie (1991) caused extensive damage on the north and west coast of Savai'i.Geology
Savai'i is the largest shield volcanoShield volcano
A shield volcano is a type of volcano usually built almost entirely of fluid lava flows. They are named for their large size and low profile, resembling a warrior's shield. This is caused by the highly fluid lava they erupt, which travels farther than lava erupted from more explosive volcanoes...
in the South Pacific and only 3% is above water.
It is an active volcano, which last erupted in 1905-1911 with lava flows that destroyed villages on the central north coast. The island is formed by a massive basalt
Basalt
Basalt is a common extrusive volcanic rock. It is usually grey to black and fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava at the surface of a planet. It may be porphyritic containing larger crystals in a fine matrix, or vesicular, or frothy scoria. Unweathered basalt is black or grey...
ic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. A possible model for the formation of the volcanic Samoa island chain is explained by the Samoa hotspot
Samoa hotspot
The Samoa hotspot is a volcanic hotspot located in the south Pacific Ocean.In geology the Hotspot model describes a hot upwelling plume of molten magma through the Earth's crust as an explanation of how volcanic islands are formed. The hotspot idea came from J...
situated at the east end of the Samoa Islands. In theory, the Samoa hotspot is a result of the Pacific Tectonic Plate
Pacific Plate
The Pacific Plate is an oceanic tectonic plate that lies beneath the Pacific Ocean. At 103 million square kilometres, it is the largest tectonic plate....
moving over a 'fixed' deep and narrow mantle plume
Mantle plume
A mantle plume is a hypothetical thermal diapir of abnormally hot rock that nucleates at the core-mantle boundary and rises through the Earth's mantle. Such plumes were invoked in 1971 to explain volcanic regions that were not thought to be explicable by the then-new theory of plate tectonics. Some...
spewing up through the Earth's crust. The Samoa islands generally lie in a straight line, east to west, in the same direction the Plate is moving. In the classic hotspot model, primarily based on studies of the Hawaii hotspot
Hawaii hotspot
The Hawaii hotspot is the volcanic hotspot that created the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific Ocean, and is one of Earth's best-known and most heavily-studied hotspots....
, the volcanic islands and seamount
Seamount
A seamount is a mountain rising from the ocean seafloor that does not reach to the water's surface , and thus is not an island. These are typically formed from extinct volcanoes, that rise abruptly and are usually found rising from a seafloor of depth. They are defined by oceanographers as...
s further away from the Samoa hotspot should be progressively older. However, Savai'i, the most western of the Samoa island chain, and Ta'u Island
Tau, American Samoa
Ta‘ū is the largest island in the Manu‘a Group and the easternmost volcanic island of the Samoan Islands. Ta‘ū is part of American Samoa. In the early 19th century, the island was sometimes called Opoun....
, the most eastern of the Samoa islands, both erupted in the last century, data which is an enigma for scientists. Ta'u last erupted in 1866. Another discrepancy in the data from the Samoa islands is that subaerial
Subaerial
The term subaerial is mainly used in geology to describe events or structures that are located at the Earth's surface...
rock samples from Savai'i were too young by several million years to fit the classic hotspot model of age progression in an island chain, raising arguments among scientists that the Samoa islands does not have a plume origin. The nearness of Savai'i and the Samoa island chain to the Tonga Trench
Tonga Trench
The Tonga Trench is located in the South Pacific Ocean and is deep at its deepest point, known as the Horizon Deep.The Tonga Trench is a convergent plate boundary. The trench lies at the northern end of the Kermadec-Tonga Subduction Zone, an active subduction zone where the Pacific Plate is being...
at the south became a possible explanation for these discrepancies as well as the possibility that the islands were formed by magma
Magma
Magma is a mixture of molten rock, volatiles and solids that is found beneath the surface of the Earth, and is expected to exist on other terrestrial planets. Besides molten rock, magma may also contain suspended crystals and dissolved gas and sometimes also gas bubbles. Magma often collects in...
seeping through cracks in stressed fracture zones.
Fracture zone
A fracture zone is a linear oceanic feature--often hundreds, even thousands of kilometers long--resulting from the action of offset mid-ocean ridge axis segments. They are a consequence of plate tectonics. Lithospheric plates on either side of an active transform fault move in opposite directions;...
However, in 2005, an international team gathered further submarine samples from the deep flanks and rift
Rift
In geology, a rift or chasm is a place where the Earth's crust and lithosphere are being pulled apart and is an example of extensional tectonics....
s of Savai'i. Tests on these later samples showed much older ages, about five million years old, that fit the hotspot model. The discovery in 1975 of Vailulu'u Seamount
Vailulu'u
Vailulu'u is a volcanic seamount discovered by geophysicist Rockne Johnson in the Samoa Islands on October 18, 1975. The finding of an active, undersea, hotspot volcano is significant for scientists studying the Earth's fundamental processess...
45 km east of Ta'u in
American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
has since been studied by an international team of scientists and contribute towards understanding of the Earth's fundamental processes.
Pre-historic geological formations on Savai'i have created natural sites such as the Alofa’aga Blowholes
Alofaaga Blowholes
The Alofaaga Blowholes, also known as the Taga Blowholes, are a natural feature located in the district of Palauli, south west of Salelologa wharf on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. The entrance to the blowholes is in the village of Taga....
and Moso's Footprint
Moso's Footprint
According to myth, Moso's Footprint in Samoa was made when the giant Moso stepped over to Samoa from Fiji, and the other footprint can be found on Viti Levu of Fiji. It is a 1m by 3m rock enclosure....
. The Pe'ape'a Cave, named after the swallows that inhabit it, is a lava tube
Lava tube
Lava tubes are natural conduits through which lava travels beneath the surface of a lava flow, expelled by a volcano during an eruption. They can be actively draining lava from a source, or can be extinct, meaning the lava flow has ceased and the rock has cooled and left a long, cave-like...
one kilometre in length, formed during the Mt Matavanu
Mt Matavanu
Mt Matavanu is an active volcano on the island of Savai'i in Samoa.The most recent eruptions from Matavanu occurred between 1905 - 1911 with lava flows on its northern side flowing towards the island's coastline and into the sea in the district of Gaga'emauga....
eruptions.
Volcanic activity
The island consists of a large shield volcanoShield volcano
A shield volcano is a type of volcano usually built almost entirely of fluid lava flows. They are named for their large size and low profile, resembling a warrior's shield. This is caused by the highly fluid lava they erupt, which travels farther than lava erupted from more explosive volcanoes...
similar in form to the Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
an volcanoes. Savai'i remains volcanically active, with recent eruptions from Matavanu between 1905 and 1911. The Matavanu eruptions flowed towards the central north coast and destroyed villages including Saleaula
Saleaula
Sale'aula is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa and is the traditional center of the Gaga'emauga political district...
. Other recent volcanic eruptions include Mata o le Afi in 1902 and Mauga Afi in 1725. The lava field at Saleaula are extensive enough to be visible in high altitude photographs
Aerial photography
Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground from an elevated position. The term usually refers to images in which the camera is not supported by a ground-based structure. Cameras may be hand held or mounted, and photographs may be taken by a photographer, triggered remotely or...
.
Samoa education system
Like the rest of the country, the education system on Savai'i is mostly public educationPublic education
State schools, also known in the United States and Canada as public schools,In much of the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the terms 'public education', 'public school' and 'independent school' are used for private schools, that is, schools...
covering primary
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
and secondary
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
schooling in villages. Education in Samoa is compulsory for children aged 5-years to 14-years or until the completion of Year 8.
- Primary education - Year 1 - 8 (8-years)
- Secondary education - Year 9 - 13 (5-years)
Entrance to secondary education is determined by a National Examinination at Year 8. Top achievers in government schools can enter Samoa College
Samoa College
Samoa College is a secondary school in Samoa officially opened in 1953. The college is co-educational and teaches from Year 9 - 13. It is situated in Vaivase on the island of Upolu and is considered the main college in the country...
on Upolu
Upolu
Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long, in area, and is the second largest in geographic area as well as the most populated of the Samoan Islands. Upolu is situated to the east of...
island with the next group offered places at Vaipouli College
Vaipouli College
Vaipouli College is a secondary school on Savai'i island in Samoa. The college is co-educational, open to male and female students from Year 9 - 13...
in Gaga'emauga
Gaga'emauga
Gaga'emauga is an electoral district on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. The district is situated on the central north side of Savai'i. The name Gaga'emauga literally means: “near side of the mountain” meaning the eastern side of the mountain chain running through the centre of ...
district on the island's central north coast. The rest attend the nearest secondary school in their district. With most of the land in the country under customary ownership in village settlements, schooling and education is a joint responsibility between the government and villages, governed at the local level by matai
Fa'amatai
Fa'amatai is the chiefly system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society.It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in the Samoa Islands, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa...
.
Village responsibility
In both primary and secondary schools across Samoa, villages are responsible for school buildings, equipment, furniture, fundraising and collection of school fees. With most of the population living off their land in a mostly traditional way of life with little paid employment available, villages such as FalealupoFalealupo
Falealupo is a village in Samoa situated at the west end of Savai'i island from the dateline. The village has two main settlements, Falealupo-Uta, situated inland by the main island highway and Falealupo-Tai, situated by the sea...
were forced to sell logging rights to their native forests in 1990, to pay for their school buildings, following threat of closure from the government. An American ethnobotanist, Paul Cox
Paul Alan Cox
Dr. Paul Alan Cox is an ethnobotanist whose scientific research focuses on the ecology of island plants and the uses of plants by island peoples. After receiving his B.S. in Botany from Brigham Young University, he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to read for his M.Sc. in Ecology at the...
, who had lived in the village with his family, raised funds internationally to save the school and create a conservation covenant with matai to protect their native forest.
Government responsibility
The government is responsible for teachers, curriculum and educational materials as well as assessments and exams administered under the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture. The government also employs School Review Officers who are the main liaison with schools.International aid
The government receives international aid for education from countries such as New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
through their foreign aid programmes. In 2006, a bilateral partnership between AusAID (Australia) and NZAID
New Zealand Agency for International Development
The New Zealand Agency for International Development is the New Zealand Government's international aid and development agency. NZAID is a semi-autonomous body within the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade . Its Māori name is Nga Hoe Tuputupu-mai-tawhiti – the paddles that bring...
(New Zealand) with the Asia Development Bank launched an education sector program (ESPII) focusing on primary and secondary education over a number of years. The contribution from AUSaid is up to $14 million dollars with NZAID committing NZ$12.5 million over five years. Australia is also contributing $2 million dollars towards a School Fee Grant Scheme to 163 primary schools during 2009-2010.Japan International Cooperation Agency
Japan International Cooperation Agency
The Japan International Cooperation Agency is an independent governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance for the government of Japan...
(JICA) also constributes significant aid towards education.
Tertiary education
Most opportunities for tertiary educationTertiary education
Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school...
in the country are available on Upolu
Upolu
Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long, in area, and is the second largest in geographic area as well as the most populated of the Samoan Islands. Upolu is situated to the east of...
island, the location of the National University of Samoa
National University of Samoa
The National University of Samoa is the only national university in Samoa. Established in 1984 by an act of parliament, the university is coeducational and provides certificate, diploma, and undergraduate degree programs, as well as technical and vocational training. About 2,000 students are...
and the Alafua Campus of the regional University of the South Pacific
University of the South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific is a public university with a number of locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. It is an international centre for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment. USP's academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting students...
.
International volunteer programmes including the American Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
also provide teachers throughout schools in Savai'i and the rest of the country.
School calendar
| School Terms | Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 1 February - 15 May | (15 weeks) |
| Term 2 | 7 June - 3 September | (13 weeks) |
| Term 3 | 20 September - 10 December | (12 weeks) |
| School holidays | 2010 dates |
|---|---|
| 15 May - 6 June | |
| 5–19 September | |
| 11 December - 30 January | |
List of schools in Savai'i
There are 9 secondary schools and 48 primary schools on the island.Public library
Savai'i Public LibrarySavai'i Public Library
Savai'i Public Library is the only public library on the island of Savai'i, the largest and westernmost island in Samoa.The library is situated by the old market in the township of Salelologa at the east end of the island...
is the only public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
on the island. It is situated by the old market in the township of Salelologa
Salelologa
Salelologa is a village district at the east end of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is the main entry point into the island with the only ferry terminal on Savai'i...
at the east end of Savai'i. The library is a branch of the central Samoa Public Library
Samoa Public Library
The Samoa Public Library, also known as the Nelson Memorial Public Library, is the main public library in Samoa.The library is situated in the capital Apia on the island of Upolu, and is also sometimes referred to as Apia Library....
in the capital Apia on Upolu
Upolu
Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long, in area, and is the second largest in geographic area as well as the most populated of the Samoan Islands. Upolu is situated to the east of...
island.
Public holidays
2010 Public holidays;| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | 2 April |
| Easter Monday | 5 April |
| Mother's Day | 10 May |
| Samoa Independence Day | 1 June (celebrations) |
| Father's Day | 9 August |
| White Sunday (2nd Sunday of October) | 11 October |
| Christmas Day | 25 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December |
Samoa gained political independence from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
on 1 January 1962. However, independence celebrations take place on 1 June, each year.
Historical
Notable Places & People
- Archaeology in SamoaArchaeology in SamoaArchaeology of Samoa began with the first systematic survey of archaeological remains on Savai'i island by Jack Golson in 1957. Since then, surveys and studies in the rest of Samoa have uncovered major findings of settlements, stone and earth mounds including star mounds, Lapita pottery remains and...
has uncovered prehistoric settlements inland in many parts of the island including sites at Sapapali'iSapapali'iSapapali'i is a village on the north east coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is the village where John Williams, the first missionary to bring Christianity to Samoa landed in 1830. Sapapali'i is in the Fa'asaleleaga political district....
village and VailoaVailoaVailoa is a village on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. Vailoa is the capital of Palauli district on the south east of the island....
in PalauliPalauliPalauli is a district and village of Samoa, with a population of 8,984. It consists of two sections on the southern side of Savai'i...
district. - The exiled orator Lauaki Namulauulu MamoeLauaki Namulauulu MamoeLauaki Namulauulu Mamoe was a renowned orator chief and the first leader of the Mau, a resistance movement in Samoa during colonialism. Lauaki was exiled to Saipan in 1909. He died in 1915 as he was taken back to Samoa.He was from Safotulafai, the capital of Fa'asaleleaga political district on...
(died 1915), leader of the Mau a Pule, a resistance group against colonial rule in the early 1900s, was from the traditional sub-district of SafotulafaiSafotulafaiSafotulafai is a traditional sub-district at the east end of Savai'i island with historical and political significance in Samoa's history. It is the traditional centre of Fa'asaleleaga political district....
. - The missionary John WilliamsJohn Williams (missionary)John Williams was an English missionary, active in the South Pacific. Born near London, England, he was trained as a foundry worker and mechanic...
(1796–1839), arrived in the village of Sapapali'iSapapali'iSapapali'i is a village on the north east coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is the village where John Williams, the first missionary to bring Christianity to Samoa landed in 1830. Sapapali'i is in the Fa'asaleleaga political district....
in 1830. Sapapali'i was also a base for the MalietoaMalietoaMalietoa is a state dynasty and chiefly title in Samoa. Literally translated as "great warrior," the title's origin comes from the final words of the Tongan warriors as they were fleeing on the beach to their boats, "Malie To`a, Malie tau"....
title on Savai'i. A plaque by the main road in the village commemorates Williams' landing. - In pre-history, the village of SafotuSafotuSafotu is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. Safotu is in the district Gagaifomauga. Traditionally, it attained the status of 'Pule,' customary political authority, and has been the main centre of the Gagaifomauga district....
was a settlement for Tongans. - Olaf Frederick NelsonOlaf Frederick NelsonTaisi Olaf Frederick Nelson, , also known as Taisi Olaf, was a successful businessman and one of the founding leaders of the Mau movement for Samoan independence from colonial rule....
another exiled leader of the Mau movement in the 1920s, was born in SafuneSafuneSafune is a traditional village district on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. It lies within the electoral constituency of Gaga'ifomauga. Safune is the birthplace of Mau leader Olaf Frederick Nelson and the filming location of Moana , one of the first documentaries made in the world...
. - The Pulemelei MoundPulemelei MoundThe Pulemelei mound is the largest and most ancient structure in Polynesia.It is situated in Letolo Plantation in the Palauli district, at the east end of Savai'i island in Samoa....
in Palauli is the largest and most ancient structure in PolynesiaPolynesiaPolynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
. - Pio Taofinu'u (1923–2006), the first PolynesianPolynesiansThe Polynesian peoples is a grouping of various ethnic groups that speak Polynesian languages, a branch of the Oceanic languages within the Austronesian languages, and inhabit Polynesia. They number approximately 1,500,000 people...
cardinal and bishop was from Savai'i. - Reverend George Pratt (1817–1894), a missionary of the London Missionary SocietyLondon Missionary SocietyThe London Missionary Society was a non-denominational missionary society formed in England in 1795 by evangelical Anglicans and Nonconformists, largely Congregationalist in outlook, with missions in the islands of the South Pacific and Africa...
during the 1800s lived in MatautuMatautuMatautu is the name of different villages in Samoa. Places named Matautu are found on the two largest islands, Upolu and Savai'i.-Matautu, Upolu Island:On Upolu island;...
on the north coast. Pratt authored the first Samoan English language dictionary A Grammar and Dictionary of the Samoan Language, with English and Samoan Vocabulary, first printed in 1862. Pratt's valuable dictionary records many old words of special interest–specialist terminology, archaic words and names in Samoan tradition. It contains sections on Samoan poetry and proverbs, and an extensive grammatical sketch.
World War II
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Savai'i came under the Allies 'Samoa Defense Group' which included Upolu, Tutuila
Tutuila
Tutuila is the largest and the main island of American Samoa in the archipelago of Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific located roughly northeast of Brisbane, Australia and over northeast of Fiji. It contains a large, natural harbor,...
and Wallis Island
Wallis Island
Wallis is an island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to the French overseas collectivity of Wallis and Futuna....
and later extended in 1944 to cover bases in other islands such as Bora Bora
Bora Bora
The commune of Bora-Bora is made up of the island of Bora Bora proper with its surrounding islets emerging from the coral reef, 29.3 km² in total, and of the atoll of Tupai , located north of Bora Bora...
and the Cook Islands
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
.
A military governor of the Samoa Defense Group was Brigadier General Henry L. Larsen who had secret orders mandating a defensive position of the islands from east to west. The code name for the entire group of islands was 'Straw' and the code name for Savai'i was 'Strawman.' The code for Upolu was 'Strawhat,' Tutuila 'Strawstack' while Wallis Island was 'Strawboard.' A small base was set up on the central north coast village of Fagamalo
Fagamalo
Fagamalo is a village situated on the central north coast of Savai'i in Samoa. It is a sub-village or pito nu'u of the larger traditional village enclave of Matautu in the political district of Gaga'emauga....
, which had a wharf and achorage. Fagamalo was the main village for the colonial administration at the time on Savai'i, situated where the small post office is today.
In its present unprotected state, Western Samoa is a hazard of first magnitude for the defense of American Samoa. The conclusion is inescapable that if we don't occupy it the Japanese will and there may not be a great deal of time left.
8 February 1943 Report on Western Samoa defence by 2nd Marine Brigade's intelligence officer, Lieutenant Colonel William L. Bales.
On 18 May 1942 the 3rd Marine Brigade with 4,853 officers and men were on Upolu and Savai'i under the command of Brigadier General Charles D. Barrett.
1839 Wilkes Expedition
United States Exploring Expedition
The United States Exploring Expedition was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States from 1838 to 1842. The original appointed commanding officer was Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones. The voyage was authorized by Congress in...
led by Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes was an American naval officer and explorer. He led the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 and commanded the ship in the Trent Affair during the American Civil War...
. The survey of Savai'i was performed by Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold aboard the U.S. Brig Porpoise. Wilkes and other ships in the expedition were surveying Upolu and Tutuila
Tutuila
Tutuila is the largest and the main island of American Samoa in the archipelago of Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific located roughly northeast of Brisbane, Australia and over northeast of Fiji. It contains a large, natural harbor,...
at the same time. The Porpoise first touched down at the village of Sapapali'i
Sapapali'i
Sapapali'i is a village on the north east coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is the village where John Williams, the first missionary to bring Christianity to Samoa landed in 1830. Sapapali'i is in the Fa'asaleleaga political district....
. Some of the team, Dr Pickering and Lieutenant Maury were dropped off while the brig surveyed the island's coastline and tides. Dr Pickering and the lieutenant were hosted by the resident missionary at Sapapali'i, the Reverend Mr. Hardie. The Porpoise examined the bay of Palauli
Palauli
Palauli is a district and village of Samoa, with a population of 8,984. It consists of two sections on the southern side of Savai'i...
where there was a missionary station under the supervision of a Mr M'Donald. Wilkes' report also described Saleaula
Saleaula
Sale'aula is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa and is the traditional center of the Gaga'emauga political district...
village, Asau
Asau, Samoa
Asau is situated on the north west coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is the capital village of the Vaisigano political district and serves as the main business centre at the west end of the island....
at the west end of the island and 'the beautiful village of Falealupo
Falealupo
Falealupo is a village in Samoa situated at the west end of Savai'i island from the dateline. The village has two main settlements, Falealupo-Uta, situated inland by the main island highway and Falealupo-Tai, situated by the sea...
' which was under the charge of a Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
n missionary. At the 'north point' of the island, the brig found 'good anchorage' in the bay of Matautu
Matautu
Matautu is the name of different villages in Samoa. Places named Matautu are found on the two largest islands, Upolu and Savai'i.-Matautu, Upolu Island:On Upolu island;...
(where the village of Fagamalo is situated). The brig was anchored and the harbour surveyed. Wilkes' wrote that this was the habour on the island where a vessel could anchor in safety. Here, in Matautu, the explorers noticed a difference with other parts of Savai'i.
A great difference in form, physiognomy and manners...was observed here, as well as a change in the character of many articles of manufacture. The warclubs and spears were of uncommon form, and neatly made.
On the 24th of October, Wilkes writes, that the Porpoise arrived back at Sapapali'i village, having been gone nine days. The team met paramount chief Malietoa
Malietoa
Malietoa is a state dynasty and chiefly title in Samoa. Literally translated as "great warrior," the title's origin comes from the final words of the Tongan warriors as they were fleeing on the beach to their boats, "Malie To`a, Malie tau"....
and his son at the village. With local guides Dr Pickering had travelled some way into the interior of the island, reaching one side of a volcanic crater about one thousand feet above the sea and some seven miles (11 km) inland.
One the 10th November, 1839, the Wilkes Expedition weighed anchor at Apia and sailed westward, and on the 11th of November, had lost sight of Savai'i.
See also
- Archaeology in SamoaArchaeology in SamoaArchaeology of Samoa began with the first systematic survey of archaeological remains on Savai'i island by Jack Golson in 1957. Since then, surveys and studies in the rest of Samoa have uncovered major findings of settlements, stone and earth mounds including star mounds, Lapita pottery remains and...
for archaeology on Savai'i - Architecture of SamoaArchitecture of SamoaThe architecture of Samoa is characterised by openness, with the design mirroring the culture and life of the Samoan people who inhabit the Samoa Islands. Architectural concepts are incorporated into Samoan proverbs, oratory and metaphors, as well as linking to other art forms in Samoa, such as...
- Districts of SamoaDistricts of SamoaSamoa is made up of eleven itūmālō . These are the traditional eleven districts that were established well before European arrival...
(political districts) - Culture of SamoaCulture of SamoaThe traditional culture of Samoa is a communal way of life based on Fa'a Samoa, the unique socio-political culture of Samoa. In Samoan culture, most activities are done together. There are 3 main parts in the Samoan culture, that is faith, family and music.The traditional living quarters, or fale ,...
- Samoa Islands
- Samoan languageSamoan languageSamoan Samoan Samoan (Gagana Sāmoa, is the language of the Samoan Islands, comprising the independent country of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa. It is an official language—alongside English—in both jurisdictions. Samoan, a Polynesian language, is the first language for most...
- Samoa Tourism AuthoritySamoa Tourism AuthorityThe Samoa Tourism Authority is a state-owned enterprise responsible for the marketing of Samoa as a holiday destination and the sustainable development of new and existing tourism products in the country.-History:...
External links
- Final 2006 Samoa Census Report, Samoa Bureau of Statistics, July 2008
- Samoa Tourism Authority
- Sydney Morning Herald travel article June 2009
- Surfing Samoa on Youtube
- The Samoan Historical Calendar 1606 - 2007 by Stan Sorensen, Historian, Office of the Governor, American Samoa & Joseph Theroux
- First Samoan dictionary, 3rd edition (1893) by Rev. George Pratt
- Library Association of Samoa website