Samoa

Robert Louis Stevenson came to Samoa in 1890. He had battled all his life with tuberculosis and in Samoa’s warm and friendly world, he seemed to find his health again.

He cared about his new country and its people. REQUIEM for a POET tells how Samoans came to recognise him as a wise and caring friend who fought for justice for them. He asked for nothing. The Samoans in turn grew to love and respect him.

The mysterious disappearance of an inter-island trading vessel, 'Joyita' is the subject of JOURNEY to the UNKNOWN. It tells how the vessel was found abandoned and drifting far out at sea in 1955. There was no trace of passengers nor crew.

Two short stories, RITES of COURAGE and PATH of the BUTTERFLY vividly describe reasons why Samoans, both male and female, endure discomfort and pain in order to have the historical Samoan tattoo incised on their skin in the traditional manner.

Hollywood came to Samoa in 1953 to make its first major film overseas. MY NAME IS GARY COOPER tells what happened when the star of the film, a movie idol, arrived!

RACE to the SUN focuses on the villages where selected crew members prepare for the intense competition of the annual fautasi (long boat) races.

SAMOANA presents a short history of Samoa up until Independence in 1972.

Featured stories on this DVD

Samoan Male Tattoo

The traditional Samoan male tattoo extends from the waist to each knee. It's called pe’a and may take several months to complete. Each tattoo is unique although specific elements of the design recur. The design around the naval is particularly important. On the DVD Samoa - Traditional and Historical, the story 'Rites of Courage' tells how two Samoans, born in the USA, come to Samoa to embark on this long and painful tradition, along with a young local Samoan.

The Mystery of the 'Joyita'

In 1955 a small inter-island trading vessel called 'Joyita' set out from Apia to the Tokelau Islands with 25 passengers and crew. It never reached its destination. When finally sighted 37 days later, it was 1000kms off course. There was no trace of the passengers.

Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa

Robert Louis Stevenson came to Samoa in 1890. He had battled all his life with tuberculosis and in Samoa’s warm and friendly world, he seemed to find his health again. He cared about his new country and its people who came to recognise him as a wise and caring friend who fought for justice for them. He asked for nothing. The Samoans in turn grew to love and respect him.

Tattoo

The Samoan tattoo for males and females is recognised as a symbol of courage and status. In both cases it is a very painful process. The male tattoo is called pe’a. It extends from the waist to each knee. The design around the naval is very important. Each tattoo is completely unique although specific elements of the design recur. It may take many months to complete the full tattoo. The female tattoo extends from the knee to the upper leg and is called malu. In some cases the hands are also tattooed. In Rites of Courage and Path of the Butterfly a young Samoan man and woman choose to embark on this journey.