The prewestern history of eastern samoa now american samoa is inextricably bound with the history of western samoa now independent samoa. Samoa was explored by dutch and french traders in the 18th century. A short history of western samoa by malama meleisea et al. Stretching over 1,682 sq km 649 sq mi, savaii is one of the largest landmasses in polynesia. The samoan culture and the culture of samoa 15 words. The samoan islands were first settled some 3,500 years ago as part of the austronesian. Examining the politics of each pacific island state and territory, this wellresearched volume discusses historical background and colonial experience, constitutional framework, political institutions, political parties, elections and electoral systems, and problems and prospects. Toward the end of the 19th century, conflicting interests of the u. Sauniuniga mo puapuaga ma suiga o le tau i amerika samoa by corlew, dr kati and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Books about samoa 38 books meet your next favorite book. 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.
World war ii finds the united states marines in american samoa. Samoanamerican influence the island of samoa, also known as the treasured islands or the independent state of samoa is located between the island of hawaii and. As a people, samoans share a common language, a warm, generous spirit, a love of tattoos, and a 3,000yearold cultural code. Summary the united states began to interact with what is now samoa during the first half of the 19th century, when u. Tuiatua tupua tamasese efi since 20 june 2007 prime minister. Towards independence new zealand in samoa nzhistory. Founded in the 1970s, vup now has a backlist of over 200 books in print and issues. Samoa national day please accept my best wishes as you and the people of samoa celebrate independence day. Embassy of the independent state of samoa to the united. The national government of the independent state of samoa is made up of three branches. The samoan islands were first settled some 3,500 years ago as part of the austronesian expansion. A guide to the united states history of recognition, diplomatic, and consular relations in samoa.
Samoa is an island country located the south pacific ocean the official name of the country is the independent state of samoa samoa is located about halfway between hawaii and new zealand in the polynesian region of the south pacific samoa shares maritime borders with american samoa united states, new zealand, tonga, and wallis and futuna samoa has 2 official languages. The independent state of samoa, located in the southwest pacific ocean, comprises nine islands that are volcanic in origin. Samoa summary the united states began to interact with what is now samoa during the first half of the 19th century, when u. Samoa introduction by professor don paterson preindependence before samoa, which was called western samoa until 1997, attained its independence on 1 january 1962 it had been a colony of germany 19001919, and then a league of nations mandate of new zealand 19191945, and finally a united nations trusteeship of new zealand 19451962. Amended state of emergency orders for coronavirus covid19 20th may 2020. The government is described as being a constitutional monarchy, and samoan and english are the official languages. These islands now comprise the independent state of western samoa, which new zealand forces wrested from the germans in 1914, maintaining control of them until 1962. Approximately 109,500 people inhabit upolu and approximately 42,000 inhabit savaii as of 1977. In 1997 the constitution was amended to change the name officially from western samoa to the independent state of samoa. High school level textbook on the history of american samoa. Like a living history book, samoa opens up in front of the visitor. At the western end of the samoan island chain lies savaii. Faa samoa, the samoan way, emphasizes loyalty to family, respect for ones elders, and a commitment to serving the community, which is considered allimportant. A history from writers from western samoa, examining thematically the influences of.
Samoas article about samoas by the free dictionary. Discover stunning beaches, friendly people and a 3000 year old culture samoa became an independent state in 1962, after gaining its sovereignty from new zealand. The labour party victory in new zealands 1935 general election broke the political stalemate in samoa. In 1962, samoa became an independent state, after over half a century of. By the powers of article 106 of the constitution, the head of state, le ao mamalu ole malo, tuimalealiifano vaaletoa sualauvi ii after consultation with cabinet under fk 20 special 23 this evening signed into law new amendments to the orders covid 19 state of emergency. Samoa independent state of samoa previously known as western samoa until 1997 july 04 capital. It examines thematically the influences of early european settlers, the major churches,the german and new zealand colonial periods, the background to western samoas becoming the first independent state in the pacific islands in 1962,and the first two decades of the independent state of western samoa. American samoa remains an unincorporated territory of the united states. Samoa, officially the independent state of samoa, is a sovereign state in polynesia, encompassing the western part of the samoan islands in the south pacific ocean. Tupua tamasese meaoli and malietoa tanumafili ii became joint heads of state.
To obtain a new samoa passport, the applicant must be a samoan citizen. Occupying the western part of the samoa islands, the other part being under american administration, the samoa independent state comprises four inhabited islands. Polynesians, possibly from tonga, first settled in the samoan islands about b. The following information and fees should be forwarded to the embassy at the highlighted address below or directly to the chief executive officer for samoa immigration under the ministry of the prime minister and cabinet, p. Upolu, savaii, manono and apolima and six uninhabited islets. The independent state of samoa celebrates the samoan independence day on june 1 every year. The lapita people discovered and settled the samoan. Traditional oral literature of samoa and manua talks of a widespread polynesian network or confederacy or empire that was prehistorically. Independent state of samoa synonyms, independent state of samoa pronunciation, independent state of samoa translation, english dictionary definition of. American samoa, unincorporated territory of the united states consisting of the eastern part of the samoan archipelago, located in the southcentral pacific ocean. I was so enthralled by this book that after finishing the last page i just had to go back and read it all over again. From 1962 to 1997, the nation was known as western samoa, until it dropped the title western from its name to become the independent state of samoa. Through it all, the samoans are always fighting to keep their ancient ways and their independence. Printable research checklist free from midwest genealogy center, independence, mo.
Independent state of samoa definition of independent. The mau held majorities in both a newly elected fono of faipule and the legislative assembly. Samoa a historical novel kindle edition by shaffer, j. Only three and a half hours flight from auckland, samoa is renowned for its natural beauty, genuine hospitality and stunning adventures. 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. This book traces the clash between samoan and western notions of. Formal relations did not begin until after samoan independence in the early 1960s. A goodwill mission to apia in june 1936 recognised the mau as a legitimate political organisation, the samoan offenders ordinance was repealed, and olaf nelsons exile was revoked. Other than samoa, it is also observed in other countries of the world. Mr shaffer has done a remarkable job of presenting samoas journey through time, melding historical figures and events with fictional characters and cultural legends to tell a story of a people who even today remain strong and proud in their age old culture. Ably discussed by malama and twelve others, lagaga, first published in 1987. Fiame faumuina mataafa was independent western samoas first prime minister 1962 70 and served. Our two countries are joined by our shared belief in democracy and freedom.
Samoa simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Samoa is not a state party to the 1954 convention relating to the status of stateless persons or the 1961. Reviewed in the united states on september 18, 2016. Welcome to samoa pacific island holiday official guide. My trip to samoa by bartlett tripp career goals, family history, genealogy, country. When the former died on 5 april 1963, the latter became the sole head of state. Approximately 109,500 people inhabit upolu and approximately 42,000 inhabit savaii as. 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. A guide to the united states history of recognition, diplomatic, and consular relations, by country, since 1776. From 1962 to 1997, the nation was known as western samoa, until it dropped the title. Samoa, officially the independent state of samoa, is an independent state of western polynesia, in the south pacific. 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 european exploration first reached the islands in the early 18th century.
The capital, pago pago, was a strategic naval base for the u. Our warm, friendly culture and breathtaking scenery makes samoa the perfect pacific island destination for your next holiday or quick break. Samoa, formerly western samoa, officially independent state of samoa, constitutional monarchy 2015 est. Chapter ten the independent state of western samoa 19621982. The independent state of samoa is a country in pacific ocean. Western samoa is an independent state and a member of the british commonwealth. The population of samoa is 194,320 2012 and the nation has a density of 69 people per square kilometer anz bank samoa was first established in samoa in 1990, then trading as bank of. The two main islands of samoa are upolu and savaii, one of the biggest islands in polynesia. Samoa, country in the central south pacific ocean, among the westernmost of the island countries of polynesia. The legislative branch is parliament, comprised of the head of state and the legislative assembly. Western samoa became the first pacific nation to gain independence. Background and current conditions samoa acceded to the 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees hereafter the 1951 convention on 21 september 1988 and its 1967 protocol on 29 november 1994. Until the nineteenfiftie pacific histors y was a neglected backwater of colonial history concerned for the most part with the interests and policies of the colonial powers. View the new experience and read this book on fulcrum.
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. The day commemorates the date in 1962 when it achieved independence from new zealand. Navy control from 1900 to 1951, american samoa was initially a coaling station for the fleet in the age of steam. 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. It examines thematically the influences of early european settlers, the major churches,the german and new zealand colonial periods, the background to western samoa s becoming the first independent state in the pacific islands in 1962,and the first two decades of the independent state of western samoa.