American Samoans do not reside in a little area or a highest area, in 76 some other towns

Almost everybody attends church

To own an island for the dimensions, I questioned there become a global area heart having all of the places one could expect in a famous port, however, alas, I happened to be incorrect. Most of the town have a little shop, and all sorts of neighborhood produce is grown inside small household members plenty and you may backyards. The newest towns is administered from the a frontrunner and his awesome family unit members, who own the end up in brand new village. Plus Chiefs there are even Large Chiefs, Oratory Chiefs and Important Chiefs.

Junior, when he known, was a sensible and you may well-spoken man who ran towards the detail concerning your Mainly system into the Samoa

Last week, I was walking to the latest motorboat whenever a large truck pulled up, “Hey, aunt, do you need a ride?”. How could I say zero? The guy riding produced himself as the Child of the Higher Master of your Town off Aua. The guy indicated to reach the top of 1 of one’s peaks round the the brand new bay, after that down seriously to this new water’s line the spot where the roofs of your property perforated the fresh dense green landscaping. “Which is my personal family members’ belongings. I’ve possessed one belongings for more than 4,000 years.” Whenever i heard so it, first thing I wondered is actually whether or not I got told you this new best one thing and started polite adequate to this very important man. In reality, respect was all things in Samoa, it’s essential to every facet of Samoan life. We have actually heard an issue from an american pair whose youngster arrived domestic off college 1 day with a huge welt to your their right back. Appear to, the janitor in school don’t receive the esteem the guy deserved, and so got to that worst child along with his wooden broomstick.

The main of every village is in charge of this new well being regarding his anybody, additionally the cohesion out of their village. One cannot go into the house from a leader as opposed to wear the fresh conventional lavalava, plus one should be really polite whenever talking to a leader. As a result of regular village and you can nearest and dearest group meetings regarding the ‘fale’ (family relations meeting-place) the chief assurances their neighborhood is actually a profitable and you can happier one. A pleasurable village with a pleasurable Head ensures a happy area. Definitely, no ruling method is instead of its faults, however, I believe we can every study from the way in which off life from inside the Samoa.

Inspite of the effortless-heading characteristics of your own Polynesian anybody, value is key, and hete Papua Ny-Guinean-singler you will from influence off Christianity, alternatively rigorous laws implement. They disagree a bit from community so you’re able to village as they are policed from the the latest villagers on their own. As an instance, really teams have a good curfew towards the teenagers, often delivery on 10pm or before. I was produced conscious of it signal one night from the good Chief when i because the re-anchoring my ship on pm. Naughty boy. Liquor can not be bought anyplace for the area towards the a sunday – a the majority of distressing imposition for almost all good sailor to arrive on the Pago Pago. The newest coastlines and you will bays of area aren’t for old travelers and then make their unique: most are nearest and dearest possessed, and for the of those that are not, it’s far better query a community for consent before taking a plunge. But do not actually try to take action for the a sunday!

Sundays towards the American Samoa was for church, members of the family additionally the ‘umu’ (antique planet range). On a however Sunday morning on Pago Pago harbour, in the event the sun was but really to increase above Rainmaker Mountain in brand new eastern, you to definitely can find air thick on the cig of a beneficial hundred backyard umus being prepared. Church buildings try every-where into the Samoa. Most are high, most are brief. Most are traditional, most are even more charismatic. Most are Protestant, most are Catholic. Some congregations consist of one, albeit high, family members and others will get match much of a village. Exactly as is the case while in the a lot of Polynesia, that which you spins within the chapel.