Except for perhaps a few thousand individuals--nearly all inhabitants of American Samoa are indigenous Samoans of Polynesian ancestry.
More than any other U.S. or Polynesians people, Samoans are tradition-oriented and closely follow social customs and hierarchies from long before arrival of the first Europeans. The Samoan way of life is called the Fa'asamoa . Which means Samoan Way. The family, the church, and the village are very important. |
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The extended family is royal to one chief. The chief has a lot of control over the family, the church, and the village.This is all part of the Samoan matai system.
Only people with Samoan ancestors can own land.Most of the land ownership is shared by the community.
Only people with Samoan ancestors can own land.Most of the land ownership is shared by the community.