Sponsored by the samoa historical and cultural trust, siamani i samoa. Research tips american samoa historic preservation office. Mar 20, 2020 samoa, country in the central south pacific ocean, among the westernmost of the island countries of polynesia. The tui tonga oversaw the tonga islands in conjunction with western samoan governing systems. Showing results 120 of 52 for samoa, books, samoan islands history. Samoa history timeline 1700 to 1940s the manaia blogwriter. Traditional oral literature of samoa and manua talks of a widespread polynesian network or confederacy or empire that was prehistorically. Traditional authority and colonial administration in the history of. American samoa information providing interactive telephone number lookup and general information. Past to now socialists invade auckland queen st 1932 1800s retreat of new zealand government h. Justin maga, territorial librarian, feleti barstow public library, american samoa.
As a critical reinterpretation of the literature on western samoa, drawing on oral sources and material from the archives of the land and titles court of western samoa, the book provides important new insights into precolonial regimes, racial issues and the contemporary political problems of the independent state of western samoa. Samoa had been known simply as samoa in the united nations since joining the organization in 1976. If you just want to get away, pack a few books and switch off the cell phone. The very earliest history of samoa concerns a political center in the easternmost samoan islands of. Books about samoa or set in samoa nonfiction and fiction welcome score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Parliamentary duties in samoa are executed by the legislative assembly which convenes in apia. The samoa airport authority saa has made history as the first airport in the. The samoan islands were first settled some 3,500 years ago as part of the austronesian.
Laws are enacted when bills are passed by the legislative assembly, assented to by the head of state and published in the samoa gazette official government. Eight years of trouble in samoa is an 1892 historical. The mountainous island is a shield volcano that reaches its highest altitude, 1,858 m 6,095 ft, near the center of the island. The american samoa government asg office of archives and records. Malama meleisea penelope schoeffel meleisea gatoloai peseta s. This book details how governance programs have affected some local.
Oral tradition holds that the samoan archipelago was created by the god tagaloa at the beginning of history. A short history of western samoa by malama meleisea et al. Existing alongside the countrys western styled political system is the faamatai chiefly system of sociopolitical governance and organisation, central to understanding samoa s political system. History buffs, visit the historic preservation office and pick up guides to the territorys us naval history and visit gun placements at blunts and breakers point that protected pago pago harbor entrance during world war ii. A history from writers from western samoa, examining thematically the influences of european settlers, the churches, german and nz colonialism and the background to western samoa s independence. Prime minister the head of state appoints the prime minister, being a member of parliament who has the confidence of a majority in the parliament.
The prewestern history of eastern samoa now american samoa is inextricably bound with the history of western samoa now independent samoa. In july 1997 the constitution was amended to change the countrys name from western samoa to samoa. Suva, 1987 institute of pacific studies, university of the south pacific. Welcome to samoa, the beautiful treasured islands of the south pacific.
This website fulfills one of our objectives to be transparent by providing information on the work the american samoa government is doing for the people of american samoa. The head of government is the prime minister, appointed by the head of state with the approval of the legislators. Traditional authority and colonial administration in the modern history of western samoa. Early literacy programs, offered twice a week, engage parents and caregivers with children aged 04 by supporting prereading skills. Culture of samoa history, people, clothing, traditions. Cabinet of ministers 812 ministers appointed by the head of state on the advice of the prime minister, responsible to parliament. At the western end of the samoan island chain lies savaii. Watson, r m, history of samoa wellington, 1918 meleisea, malama. The library houses a samoan collection of materials that includes pacific journals. New zealand wars samoa history timeline 17221920s treaty of waitangi discussion 1840 am. A history from writers from western samoa, examining thematically the. The tui manua is one of the oldest samoan titles in samoa. Discover stunning beaches, friendly people and a 3000 year old culture. Aug 01, 2017 legislative branch of the government of samoa.
Government authorities with mandates derived directly from the constitution of samoa. This short history is written for the general reader and for senior high school and university students seeking an overview of samoan history. If thats not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags. American samoa and pago pago international airport had historic significance with the apollo program. American samoa institute of museum and library services. A psychological study of primitive youth for western civilisation by margaret mead, under the wi. The legislative branch is parliament, comprised of the head of state and the legislative assembly. Samoan islands history, polynesia history, books barnes. History of samoa samoa has a long and fascinating history spanning more than 3,000 years.
Samoa is one of the most majestic journeys you will ever embark on. Heritage and a long standing system of entitlement connected the tui tonga with both western and eastern samoa. Samoa gained its independence from new zealand in 1962 after more than a century of foreign influence and domination, but it remains a member of the commonwealth. A chronology of key events in the history of samoa. Edited by malama meleisea and penny schoeffel meleisea, lagaga covers samoan history from early polynesian arrival through the missionary era, independence in 1962 and the first two decades of the state of western samoa. Welcome to samoa pacific island holiday official guide. Because american samoa is an unincorporated, unorganized territory of the united states, not all provisions of the u. The term fono means meetings or councils in samoan and polynesian languages. Samoan culture is undoubtedly central to polynesian life, and its styles of music, dance, and visual art have gained renown throughout the. Locations of pacific ocean splashdowns of american spacecraft. Samoa s early and more current history is strongly connected with the histories of tonga and fiji, which are in the same region, and with whom it shares historical, genealogical, and cultural traditions. The head of state, who is chosen from among the royal families, is elected by the legislature for a fiveyear term, with no term limits. Australia oceania samoa the world factbook central. Jan 23, 2018 a chronology of key events in the history of samoa.
An extraordinary, scholarly and richly illustrated work that traces samoan. Until 1997, the western islands were known as western samoa or samoa i sisifo to distinguish them from the nearby group known as american samoa or amerika samoa. Guided by the stars, the polynesian ancestors made their way across the pacific in oceanfaring canoes thousands of years ago. Military history of american samoa military wiki fandom. Literacy services the american samoa government promotes literacy through programming for all ages. Sib the maio of malietoa 18301848 the history of samoa in the 19th century is very complicated since it was a period of revolutionary change and upheavals.
Moreover, the united states has not provided an organic charter act setting forth a system of government. The government of samoa recognizes the central role of education, sports and culture in its vision for the social and economic development of samoa. There are 15 government ministries in total, headed by cabinet ministers and the prime minister. Find contact information and major state agencies and offices for the government of american samoa. The book served as such a stinging protest against existing conditions that it.
The distinction was necessitated by the partitioning of the archipelago. The astronaut crews of apollo 10, 12, 14, and 17 were retrieved a few hundred miles from pago pago and transported by helicopter to the airport prior to being flown to honolulu on c141 starlifter military aircraft. Infoplease has everything you need to know about samoa. The national government of the independent state of samoa is made up of three branches. Samoa, a constitutional monarchy, is governed under the constitution of 1962 as amended.
The samoan government in the 19th century contributors. Apia, samoa tuesday 21 april 2020 the legislative assembly of samoa in responding to the covid19 pandemic, has risen to the challenge by quickly adapting the way it is conducting its business and moving part of its work online with support from the united nations development programme undp. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Books to read samoa blog pacific island holiday guide. The samoan islands were first settled some 3,500 years ago as part of the austronesian expansion. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about samoa s geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages. The capital, pago pago, was a strategic naval base for the u. It is important that the public is informed on how their funds have been spent and what public good was generated from these. Using culture as a category to process people and dispense services. Government bureaucracies across the globe have become increasingly attuned in recent years to cultural diversity within their populations. This book traces the clash between samoan and western notions of government. Woven through it all are tales of love and death, political intrigue, traditions and customs and the hope of a. Government of samoa samoa airport authority in the history. Politics of samoa takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic state whereby the prime minister of samoa is the head of government.
In the cook islands to the east, the tradition is that karika, or tui manua alia, came to the cook islands from manua. The constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government. Legal entities set up to undertake commercial activities on behalf of the government. Under it, the cabinet, comprising thirteen ministers including the prime minister as chairperson, is the central decisionmaking authority of the executive government. Stretching over 1,682 sq km 649 sq mi, savaii is one of the largest landmasses in polynesia. Samoan mythology and legends say they descended from the gods and heavens to inhabit these islands. Jun 20, 2007 infoplease has everything you need to know about samoa. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about samoas geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages. Samoa, country in the central south pacific ocean, among the westernmost of the island countries of polynesia according to legend, samoa is known as the cradle of polynesia because savaii island is said to be hawaiki, the polynesian homeland. Apr 20, 2020 american samoa, unincorporated territory of the united states consisting of the eastern part of the samoan archipelago, located in the southcentral pacific ocean. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite. Such a beautiful and gripping account of the history of samoa, it eloquently captures the essence of tradition and change in our rich culture from varying and seemingly conflicting points of perspective.
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