25 Fascinating Facts About Samoa: What to Know Before You Go
Here are the most interesting Samoa facts I learnt while I was in the country.
Samoa is a fascinating place. Before I went I didn’t actually know anyone who’d been – which is quite rare these days – and I didn’t really know a thing about the country either. I couldn’t tell you any facts about Samoa back then.
Well, apart from the fact that the wrestler and film star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is part Samoan.
As my week in Samoa passed and I learned more about the island, the more Samoa facts I wanted to know. There’s such an interesting history and culture in Samoa.
If you’re looking for Samoa facts, you’ve come to the right article!
I was sat in the van outside our guide’s house when I heard a few of these Samoa facts on the radio, and thought it would make for an interesting post for anyone planning a trip there, or, if you just want to know more about this Polynesian island.
So with a week there, and a bit of research, here are my favourite facts about Samoa.
Interesting facts about Samoa
– One of the indisputable facts of Samoa is that the beaches are stunning!
1. There’s a ‘third gender’ in Samoa
In Samoa there’s a ‘third gender’ – the Fa’afafine. It’s as accepted and relevant as ‘male’ and ‘female’.
Very forward thinking, hey?
Apparently – as heard on the radio and researched online – this third gender is recognised for their skills from both ‘traditional’ sexes. Fa’afafine means ‘in the manner of a woman’.
The Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi, is also the patron of the Samoa Fa’afafine Association and so Fa’afafine politics is very much in the Samoan mindset.
However, when I asked our guide about Fa’afafines he said that he didn’t agree with it, and kind of dismissed the notion that it was accepted into general Samoan society. I didn’t have an opportunity to ask anyone else IRL.
The same day that I heard about them I was invited to a fashion show at the hotel we were staying at. There were many Fa’afafines there – looking fabulous all dressed up.
So there’s no way anyone can deny their existence, but I’m still not entirely sure on how accepted into society they are. This is the most interesting Samoan culture fact you’ll find in any Samoa facts article.