Ethnic Group Report

Multi-Cultural Education
By Janice Enquist, May 2013

Samoa
I chose to study the Samoan ethnic group, because I have met some Samoans for
the first time since I came to Anchorage. I find them such interesting people. For
one, they seem to be almost a pure race. You dont seem to see half Samoan
citizens. When I realized they were from the tropics, I wondered why in the world
are they in Alaska? That makes them unique and curious. It is obvious that they are
friendly and fun, but have a very tightly woven culture. I met my first Samoan when
I was substitute teacher at a private school here in Anchorage a few months ago.
This little girl of 11 years old, was delightfully confident, happy, and friendly. She
has beautiful long, black hair down to her waist. On the special International Day, at
school, she dressed as a lovely South Sea Islander young lady with a bright skirt,
top, and a hibiscus flower in her hair. She looked like she was straight from
Polynesia. She was my inspiration for this assignment. Her name, Alishiyana Fanene,
has been shortened to Muki at her school. I will refer to her that way for
convenience sake.
Samoa is actually a group of islands approximately 15 degrees south of the
equator in the South Pacific. They are beautiful, tropical isles that have become a
favorite stop for tourists. Half way between Hawaii and New Zealand, Samoa
represents just a few of the thousands of islands in Polynesia, which means many
islands. Civilization could have started there several thousand years ago, but there
is little evidence of that long history. Most historians believe that they arrived at
these islands by boats from Asia. Samoans speak a language that is part of the
Eastern Malayo-Polynesian group and is related to the language of Hawaiians.
However, English is the official language in both parts of Samoa. Samoa is basically
divided into American Samoa with 55,000 people on seven islands and Western
Samoa of 220,000 people on two main islands and 20 small islands. Most Samoans
do not live in Samoa. According to Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson, one of
Samoas most famous residents, They (Samoans) are easy, merry, and leisure-

loving. . . . song is almost ceaseless. In the book, Samoa, by Talbot and Swaney,
There is no filth and, while few are wealthy, there is no poverty.
Samoa is two countries, American Samoa and Western or Independent Samoa.
Although they have the same culture and language, they are vastly different.
Western Samoa has more effectively retained its pure, traditional Polynesian culture
whereas, American Samoa has become Americanized with fast cars, cable TV, and
American football. The urban parts of Western Samoa are very modern, too, with
internet service and cell phones, etc. American Samoa became an American
Territory over 100 years ago. The purpose being to have a US Naval Base. Most
Samoans do not live on the Samoan Islands anymore. Because the economy is
strained, the countries are subsidized by larger countries like Australia, the US, and
China. The majority have left for other countries where they can actually get
employment.
That helps us understand why Mukis family is here. Thirty years ago, her Dad, a
Samoan that was born in New Zealand, and his family moved to Anchorage. Fifteen
years later, Mukis mother moved here from Samoa because her brother had come
here. She met and married Mukis dad. They have six children. In speaking with
Senerita Fanene, Mukis mother, she has only returned to Samoa two times in those
fifteen years to see her family. Muki confided that her mother sends money back to
Samoa so she can help support Mukis grandmother. Apparently, that is quite typical
of Samoans who work abroad. Muki, even though she seems very Samoan, has
never been to Samoa. She would love to go someday so she can meet her
grandmother and her aunt. I asked Senerita what the biggest difference was
between Samoa and Alaska. She quickly assured me, Everything is different. In
Samoa, we only have one season. In Alaska there are four seasons. In Samoa, we
live off the land. We grow gardens and chickens are beside the house. Close by is
the ocean where we get fish. We are self-sufficient and pretty laid back. In Alaska,
we have to get jobs so we can buy all those things. In this climate, we cant live off
the land.
I asked Senerita if she ever sensed prejudice in America. Not at all, she replied.
We have many friends that are not Samoan. Samoans often intermarry with other
ethnic groups too. I asked her if she had learned English in Samoa or Alaska. She

shared that even though she was born in American Samoa, she was raised in
Western Samoa and thats where she learned English. She differed with the books
about Samoa and said that English is the second language. Whichever the case, she
and her children speak fluent English and the Samoan tongue.
Muki shared that traditional clothing includes a skirt for the men and a button up
shirt called an eyeh. The women wear the bright, colorful skirt and top called a
bolocawsi. Her favorite food is the Taro plant. She described it as a plant that has
the fruit, taro, growing on it. It is round, greenish, and has to be peeled. Usually they
bake it with salt. She likes it when her mother adds the plantain type of banana. It is
boiled or baked in coconut milk and seasonings.
If you met someone in Samoa, they would say, Talofa. That means hello. When
you part, you would hear them say, Tofa. That means good-bye, of course.
Men and women have typical, (maybe not so typical) roles in Samoa. The father
goes outside to work. He raises food, catches fish, and gets a job as needed. Wives
stay home to cook, clean, and care for the children. Even here in Alaska, Senerita is
a stay-at-home mom. They live in an apartment on Lake Otis Parkway.
When I asked her about medical care and medicine, she first suggested that there
are hospitals in Samoa. But, she added that most Samoans use herbs for treatment
of disease. I suppose the hospitals do mostly the emergency care.
In Samoa, they claim that they are 100% Christian. According to Derek Freeman, in
Margaret Mead and Samoa, Samoans were pagans until missionaries came in 1840.
By 1846, the entire population of the main island had been converted to
Christianity. Previously, they worshipped a god called Tagaloa that had similarities to
the Christian God, Jehovah. Freemans book says that they found the Christians god
superior. They became very religious about keeping the Ten Commandments.
This brings up an interesting history incident in Samoa. Back in the 1920s, a
young anthropologist, Margaret Mead, was sent by a professor at Columbia
University, to Samoa. Her purpose was to study adolescent Samoan girls to see if
they had the same biological turmoil as teenage girls in America, Europe, and Asia.
Spending considerable time with the young ladies, she returned to the University to
write her treatise. It was published in 1928 and eventually became the best seller of

anthropological books influencing millions of people. Her premise was that Samoans
have no issues with adolescence. She claimed it was the happiest and most
peaceful years of their lives. She attributed this to the fact that she thought there
were no rules. Everyone was free and able to do what they wanted when they
wanted. She got the impression from her stay in Samoa that the culture was so
simple and laid back that there were few moral codes. Her conclusions came when
there was huge controversy in the Western World about values, rules, and absolute
truths. Of course, the Western World assumed that teenage was typically, in any
society, a difficult transition time and that there was no escape from the trauma.
Meads conclusion supported the view that teenage problems are cultural, not
biological. If the Western world would take heed to these simple Samoans, we would
not be so strict and concerned about societys rules and regulations.
It sounded feasible, but was it true? Years later, Derek Freeman took many years
exploring the information and conclusions that Margaret Mead had published. Much
to his dismay, he found that her conclusions were contrary to the philosophies of
the Islanders. In fact, the Samoans pled with him to tell the world how it really is in
their culture. They were mortified that she suggested they didnt have high morals
and rules. In fact, they felt that they were very law-abiding and that their standards
exceeded those of other societies. They had issues with many of her facts that
shook the world back in the 1930s.
Both Margaret Meads and Derek Freemans books are available in the public
library. I was able to read portions of both of them. I was personally relieved to
discover that Samoans are principled and solid in their moral values.
In visiting further with Senerita and Muki, I questioned them as to what their most
cherished culture value or item is. They immediately affirmed that family and
family ties are their most priceless possession. They draw strength and support
from one another and would seldom if ever venture far from at least one relative.
Senerita said several times, Family is most important. Family always comes first.
Muki said that their families are large. It is not uncommon to have 12 children. She
also shared that Samoa has a motto. Faavae I le Atua Samo is the motto in
Samoan and it means Samoa is Founded on God.

I asked Senerita about education. What are the schools like in Samoa, and how do
you feel about Mukis future education? Just like America, there are public schools
in Samoa that provide education from elementary through high school for all
Samoans. She said they have colleges too. Her goal is for Muki to go to college
when she is old enough. That will likely happen right here in Anchorage. No doubt,
Muki will do well and so will the other Samoan children I have met. They have the
character that will see them through.
An interesting book about Samoa is, My Samoan Chief by Fay G. Calkins. This
fascinating story is about a young Samoan man who ended up studying at a
university in Washington D.C.. He fell in love with the author of the book who was
getting her Masters Degree. She with her blond hair and blue eyes, was totally
taken with this tall, handsome Samoan who brought so much life to every gathering.
They married and he took her to the islands. There she took the responsibility of
housing a half dozen of her husbands younger brothers and entertaining guests
with big feasts. On top of all this new culture and responsibilities, they had their
own family. I can hardly wait to finish the book.
I found many great facts about Samoa in Peoples of the World Customs and
Cultures, edited by Amiram Gonen. This is a well-illustrated reference book for
children. It contained several pages about the Samoan Islands and culture. Two
travel books, Samoa & Tonga, and Samoa had excellent travel tips for those
planning to spend time on the islands. I was amused by one travel tip on page 11 of
Samoa & Tonga. Dont leave home without an inexhaustible supply of patience.
Youll need it while waiting for objects to appear (buses, people, etc.) In other
words, life is real laid back, so dont get in a hurry!
In several books, like Cultures of the World TAHITI, I read about Captain James
Cook. He was the greatest of the Pacific maritime explorers. He spent time in
Alaska, Australia, and all over the Pacific Islands. He especially took a real interest in
Tahiti, learning about their language and customs. Unfortunately, he didnt fare well
in the Hawaiian Islands. When some natives stole one of his ships, he took a
prominent native chief hostage. In a fight that ensued, Captain Cook was killed. In
this story, there were some serious multi-cultural issues.

In conclusion, I found my study of Samoa to be fascinating. The Samoans, like

other ethnic groups, are struggling to maintain their culture wherever they are. In
addition, the actual islands have become quite modern with all its pros and cons.
Nevertheless, I think Samoans blend well wherever they go. Their joy and peace
are pervasive. Undoubtedly, they are a positive element in any culture they mingle
with.