Samoa

Where the name comes from

Samoa is traditionally explained as Samoan sa, “sacred”, and moa, “centre”; other traditional accounts leave its exact origin uncertain.

First people

Austronesian voyagers reached Samoa around 3,000 years ago.¹

Known for

Samoa is known for fa’a Samoa, the Samoan way of life built around extended families and chiefs, and for its traditional tattoos.²

Outside rule

Germany colonized western Samoa in 1900, and New Zealand occupied it in 1914.¹

The modern country

Its peaceful Mau movement campaigned for self-government, and Samoa regained independence from New Zealand in 1962.³