Adolescence in Samoa

Juliet, Xavier, Michelle, Haley

Geography

Samoan Culture ● Fa’a Samoa: traditional Samoan way

o Aiga (family): the most central part of fa’a samoa expected to show respect, service, love, and defence of one’s family first and foremost

o Lotu (church): Christianity the dominant religion, but ancient Samoan beliefs still coexist with it

o Matai (chiefly systems): traditional indigenous form of government revolves around family, matai looks over family unit

o Fa’alavelave (ceremonial and familial obligations): expected to contribute support (emotional or monetary) to community systems

o Tautala (Language): can tell a “true Samoan” from the way they talk/ if they are fluent in traditional Samoan

● Communal Society

Culture EmbodiedTattooing

● both male and female traditional tattoos● female tattoo called “Malu”● male tattoo called “Pe’a”

Dance● “Siva”- unique gentle movements in time with music, tells a story● “Sasa”- line of dancers, synchronized movements in time with wooden drums● “Fa’ataupati”- male dance, creates rhythmic sounds by slapping body

Traditional Samoan Dance

Education

The Samoan education system is broken into 4 stages:

● Non-compulsory Early Childhood Education (ECE) for ages 3–4

● Eight years of Primary Education for ages 5–13 (Years 1–8)

● Five years of Secondary Education for ages 14–18 (Years 9–13)

● Post-School Education and Training (PSET)

Education is compulsory for children age 5 to 14 while secondary

education is restricted to students that pass an entrance exam.

Educational System● Students are taught in Samoan for the first 6 years with

English orally introduced during the 3rd year● After 8 years of schooling, examinations are heal to rank

students for secondary schooling● Secondary education is taught in English and lasts for 5

years● In the 13th year the Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate

examination is given to determine students eligibility to enter a university.

Recent surveys show that 97% of children attended primary school and 68% of eligible students attended secondary school.

Samoan CuisineEat two or three meals a day consisting of:-Boiled taro-Rice cooked with coconut milk-Fresh fish- Breadfruit-Fruit since there is plentiful in the island.-Raw Samoan cocoa- Orange leaf tea, lemongrass tea, or coffee is usually served with meals.

Rite of Passage/PubertyBoys

● Boys were circumcised in pairs just before reaching puberty.● Go through a process of tattooing geometric patterns in their bodies (2-3 months). Being tattooed was consider essential

to be sexual attractive between each other.● Require men to show their strength and courage throughout different activities, like in warfare, hunting, build houses and

fishing. This defined them if the would be able to handle adulthood challenges.● Brothers and sisters are not allowed to be alone in each other’s presence.● “Poy Sang Long” a ceremony for boys where the played the role of monks and try to live their daily life.

Girls● As poverty approaches it is believed that girls become physically “stronger” ● Young girls had to undergo in what is now called “female genital mutilation” which is cutting or altering their

genitals so that they could be seen as an acceptable marriage partner.● Go through a process of tattooing geometric patterns in their bodies (5 to 6 days)● They believed that menstrual blood was a danger for the growth of the crops, health of the livestock and the

success of the hunters. They gave girl special food, they did religious activities, special bathing to prevent all consequences that menstrual blood had.

Family Life

Social Structure

● aiga = the family● matai = position of authority● households include extended family● group structure

The Samoan Household

● the household shares houses communally

● several houses make up a household

● family members do not have permanent ownership over any

specific building

● extended family provides security for children and adolescents

● less conflict because adolescents can move houses within a

household

Adolescent’s Roles in Family Life

● male & female early adolescents care for

young children

● males become educated in fishing

● females focus on child care

● do not keep track of age

References

Education system. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014, from International Council for Open and

Distance Education website: http://www.icde.org/projects/

regulatory_frameworks_for_distance_education/country_profiles/samoa/education_system/Mead, M. (1928). Coming of Age in Samoa: a Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Culture. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company.

VideoSource Travel Guides. (2011, July 10). Samoan Family Life, Culture and Homes [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wlhqlakRMw

Mistauve, M. (2013, July 12). Samoans - culture and idenity. Retrieved Decomber 1, 2014, from Te Ara- the Encyclopedia of New Zealand website: http://teara.govt.nz/en/samoans/page-3

Samoan education. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014, from Maps of World website:

http://www.mapsofworld.com/samoa/education/

Margaret Mead: Human Nature and the Power of Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2014, from website:

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/mead/field-samoa.html

Pinson, J. (n.d.). Adolescent. Retrieved November 28, 2014, from website:

http://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/020559526X.pdf

Cox, P. (n.d.). Samoan americans. Retrieved November 28, 2014, from website:

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Samoan-Americans.html