Samoa

Samoa upholds fa'a Samoa, the traditional way of life centred on family, chiefly title and ceremony at the heart of Polynesian culture.

Crafts Textile & dress Spirituality & rites

Knowledge in this place

Pe'a and malu tatau

Pe'a and malu tatau

Hand-tapped tattooing applied with bone combs, marking the male pe'a and female malu as rites of responsibility.

Siapo barkcloth

Siapo barkcloth

Decorated mulberry barkcloth made with natural dyes and stencils for ceremonial use and exchange.

Textile & dress

'Ava ceremony

'Ava ceremony

A formal kava-sharing rite that opens gatherings and confers chiefly titles with strict protocol.

Spirituality & rites

'Ie toga fine mat weaving

'Ie toga fine mat weaving

Finely woven pandanus mats treated as treasured wealth and exchanged at weddings, funerals and title ceremonies.

Textile & dress