5 surprising facts about Samoa that we learned during our stay

5 surprising facts about Samoa that we learned during our stay

After almost a month in Samoa - a country we fell in love with - we reveal five incredibly surprising facts about Samoa that we learned during our stay

surprising facts about Samoa

alt="facts about Samoa Samoans are deeply religious">

If you were asked to name the most religious countries in the world, your list would probably be similar to mine. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan would be up there, as would Brazil and Italy. In the spectrum from Saudi to Sweden, I would place Samoa somewhere in the middle, especially in relation to the Abrahamic religions. It turns out I would be wrong.

As we drove from Samoa's main airport to the capital, Apia, on a Sunday evening, we encountered more than 40 men in high-visibility jackets lining village streets.

The driver explained that these men “guard” the villages from outsiders between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. so that residents can pray. Cars driving past must do this quickly and quietly, otherwise they risk being pelted with stones.

Surprised by the fervor, I asked if this happened every Sunday or if it was a special occasion. He met me in the mirror and said, “Every day.”

old=““>Tattoos for you

At first I thought it was a brave lone fighter working for a particularly open-minded employer. He was dressed in women's clothing and had a full face of makeup, groomed brows and shaved skin while serving customers at a retail store. And then I saw another man dressed similarly - and another.

I soon learned that these men were Fa'afafine, a third gender that has been recognized and accepted in Samoan society since at least the early 20th century. Fa'afafine are born as men but live as women. They do not identify as “gay”, but they enter into relationships with other men who, by the way, are not Fa’afafine themselves and do not identify as gay (more information here).

One of the most surprising facts about Samoa is that Samoan ideas about sexuality seem to be quite complex. Whatever the case, it is encouraging to see that the Fa'afafine can coexist with the deeply religious mindset of the population.

alt="Obesity is a status symbol">

According to the CIA's World Factbook, more than half of the Samoan population is obese. This alarming fact is not due solely to genetics or even pure gluttony, but to a historical belief that obesity is a symbol of health, wealth and happiness.

It is said that historically, village heads (Matai) were fed the most in terms of quantity and quality and therefore obesity was viewed as a status symbol.

This was exacerbated by Western colonization, when the ability to purchase and consume imported products – usually of little nutritional value – meant wealth.

Locals tell us that attitudes have changed for the better, especially since government initiatives to educate the population have taken effect. Hopefully this will lead to a trend reversal.

alt=“facts about samoa The best of human nature can be seen on public buses”>

The woman tugged on my sleeve. In the crowded aisle of the bus, I turned cautiously to her. She pointed to her lap and asked if I wanted to sit down. Taken aback, I politely declined.

When I finally got a seat half an hour later, I found myself next to a father and his daughter, to whom I smiled and said hello. After a few stops, the man got up and left the bus without saying a word. I realized that they were not father and daughter, but two strangers (if such a thing can exist in Samoa). It was both surprising and encouraging.

Buses in Savai'i, Samoa's second main island, are essentially a constant reconfiguration of the seating plan: people stand, sit, offer their turns and swap seats to get the maximum number of people on the bus and, wherever possible, sit comfortably.

It's a stark contrast to London, where even the elderly and pregnant people fight for a seat.

alt="Ordinary citizens only received the right to vote in 1990">

From independence in 1962 until 1990, only Samoas were allowed to vote for matai (holders of family chieftaincy titles). This meant that only about 9% of the population had a say in the governance of their country.

The situation has evolved significantly, but to date only Matai can run for government, excluding large sections of the population.

Given the country's relatively progressive approach to a number of things, surely one of the most contradictory facts about Samoa is that they are so traditionalist, or perhaps downright unprogressive, when it comes to democracy.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

­

      .