Best Cultural Activities in Samoa
Posted by Maris on 1st Oct 2024
For Samoans, "Fa'a Samoa," or "The Samoan Way," signifies everything. The sincerity and kindness of the Samoan people make it easy for visitors to experience this rich Polynesian culture, which is full of intriguing traditions and rituals. This is not a nation that entertains foreign guests by putting on a show, well, not unless it's a fiafia night when locals tend to outnumber foreign guests. You will see the creation of traditional crafts, learn how to manufacture them yourself, sample real island cuisine, and much more in raw form when you visit Samoa.
Explore how you may immerse yourself in Samoan culture with this compilation of the top cultural events in Samoa.
Immerse in Local Traditions at Samoa Cultural Village
This free event in Apia is highly recommended if you wish to learn about Samoan customs! Starting Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, Samoa Cultural Village offers an interactive experience where visitors can weave their own plates for the umu. After a ceremonial "ava ceremony" to welcome you, you will witness the preparation of a traditional umu feast. See how 'ava bowls are carved and even watch as a laborious traditional Samoan tattoo is placed while your lunch cooks. Finally, enjoy your freshly made umu meal while participating in a fire dance demonstration of a fiafia cultural show.
Watch, Learn and Paint-Your-Own Piece of Siapo at the Savai’i Siapo Demonstration
Next door to the Afu Aau Waterfall, a must-see natural attraction (see out the 50 Best Things to Do on Savai'i), is a refreshingly real cultural experience you shouldn't miss. Look for the "Siapo Demonstration" sign on the Savai'i island. There, you will be invited into a local family's fale (for a little price) to watch a demonstration of traditional painting and canvas-making methods. You could even try it yourself! The demonstration lasts around forty-five minutes, from felling the young mulberry tree to walking away with a finished piece of Samoan siapo, or tapa as it is called, throughout the South Pacific.
Experience a Fiafia Night!
In Samoan, "fiafia" means "happy," and fiafia evenings are derived from an equation that makes you happy! Many will begin with a "ava" ritual to welcome guests, followed by a banquet with international and traditional Samoan fare. When your tummy is full, the performance can begin with traditional Pacifika dancing and, frequently the highlight of the evening, siva afi, Samoa's version of knife fire dancing in the same location as Polynesian fire dancing!
Join In on Your Accommodation’s Village Walk
While visiting Samoa, you will pass through numerous villages by car, but nothing quite compares to seeing them at a slower speed. Enter the "village walk," a program offered by lodging establishments like Jaymy Beach Fales and Amoa Resort to educate visitors about Samoan culture and local communities.
Experience Culture, Cuisine and Crafts at Samoa’s Markets
The Apia and Salelologa marketplaces are definitely worth exploring, whether for the cultural ambiance or retail therapy. Fugalei Market, the biggest market in Samoa and a hub for a variety of cultural events, is a sight not to be missed. Savai'i's version, the Salelologa Market, is also worthwhile to visit. The Samoa Women's Association of Growers (SWAG) Market is a charming Saturday get-together, the Flea Market is a more condensed version that focuses more on crafts, and the Night Market, which takes place on the final Friday of each month, is a street food extravaganza.
Do a Plantation Tour
For either self-sustenance or export, Samoans mostly depend on the tropical produce grown in their inland plantations; you may learn more about this by taking one of the island's plantation excursions. Visit the Va'ai family's koko (cocoa) farm on Savai'i to learn where, if you're from New Zealand, your Whittaker's Chocolate comes from. The Koko Plantation Tour takes you to witness the cultivation of koko, from seedlings to dried cocoa beans, and departs from Va-i-Moana Seaside Lodge. The Ifiele'ele Plantation on Upolu provides excursions for visitors staying at their accommodations or groups of at least four individuals. All around the island, the plantation is well-known for its wholesome dried fruit snacks, genuine fruit ice pops, jams, and chutneys.
View a demonstration by Umu
In Samoan culture, the custom of slow-cooking fish, tropical root vegetables, and meals like palusami with hot rocks is reserved for rare occasions. Nevertheless, a few ways to enjoy this unique dinner while visiting Samoa exist.
Participate in an Exhibition of Weaving
It's incredible how many things can be made from a basic coconut palm frond in 30 minutes, including baskets, bags, headbands, and hats! Once more, the Samoa Cultural Village is a great place for an interactive weaving demonstration where you can weave your own dinner plate and headband. However, Samoan weaving demonstrations are included in the weekly “Culture Days” at resorts like Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa, Seabreeze Resort, and Coconut's Beach Club Resort on Upolu.