Top cultural experiences in Samoa: Fa’a Samoa explained

Nestled in the heart of the South Pacific, the Islands of Samoa offer a breathtaking blend of untouched natural beauty, ancient traditions and warm island hospitality. This tropical paradise is where time slows and the culture of Fa’a Samoa – the Samoan Way – shapes everyday life through deep respect, strong family ties and vibrant community spirit.

Be prepared to embrace Fa’a Samoa when you visit Samoa, a way of life that dates back 3000 years and is reflected throughout the island’s culture and customs. Fa’a Samoa is all about being part of a community that cares. Here you’ll be welcomed with open arms and the opportunity to experience authentic Samoan food, dance, music and more.

Entertainment

The traditional Samoan love of food, celebration, music and dance are perfectly showcased at a fiafia night, where the delights of traditional umu (earth-oven) cooking are served alongside vibrant dance and drumbeats, bright costumes, singing and storytelling.

Fiafia nights are a true reflection of Samoa’s ancient culture and can be experienced at most resorts and cultural centres.

Shopping

For a truly local experience, visit Samoa’s famous Fugalei Fresh Produce Market, open every day of the week. Entry to the market is free, and it’s where you can shop like a local for fresh produce from aisles of family-owned and operated stalls.

Indulge in freshly prepared Samoan treats and cool off with a refreshing, sweet Niu (drinking coconut). Make the effort to visit food markets early on a Sunday morning as this is when Samoans turn out in force to prepare for their weekly post-church feast.

Apia Fish Market sells a wide variety of seafood, ranging from freshly caught yellow fin tuna to octopus, crabs and eels at incredibly low prices. Best time to visit is on Sunday morning from 5am to 9am – it’s worth the early wake up.

Transport

Drive, scooter, cycle or stroll quiet, scenic roads at your own pace as genuinely happy children giggle and wave, while pigs, chickens and dogs roam freely amongst the open-walled, thatched roof fales which are central to village lifestyle.

Hop aboard the colourful public buses at the main terminals in Apia, located behind the Fugalei and Fish markets, or wave one down from the roadside. All buses are named with their destination. Fares are paid in cash as you disembark.

Dance

Traditional dance is integral to Samoan culture and there are several styles that are quite distinctive from other Polynesian cultures.

From the slow, fluid siva, a graceful storytelling dance traditionally performed by a young woman to the fast-paced fa’ataupati performed by men wearing traditional Samoan dress, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to watch or even join in.

The siva afi – or fire knife dance – is spectacular. Young boys or men twirl a large knife with burning flames at both ends around their bodies to the beat of a wooden drum. Women can also participate and often perform with ceremonial knives.

Faith

Whatever your religious beliefs, you’ll be moved by the sounds of a Samoan church choir. Samoa is a Christian country, and most people attend Sunday services – the church is central to the Samoan way of life and interwoven with Fa’a Samoa.

Samoans attend church services at least once a week, and Sundays are observed as a day of rest. In select villages, Samoans observe a compulsory evening prayer curfew called Sa, meaning “sacred”, between 6pm and 7pm. This is marked by a bell or blowing of a conch shell and lasts for 10 to 20 minutes, ending on a third bell.

Visitors are welcome to join church services, and you may hear angelic voices during the week as choirs practice in one of the many churches during the week.

Experience Fa’a Samoa your way. Spacifica Travel offers a range of packages tailored to every traveller and holiday style. Our expert team makes planning effortless by bundling flights, accommodation, many meals, and tours into one simple booking – so you can focus on enjoying the journey. Every package is fully customisable to suit your exact needs. Call Spacifica Travel today on 1800 800 722 and start planning your stress-free Samoan escape.