Some of the unique traditions practiced in Samoa and in other Pacific island countries, such as Tongo or the Soloman islands, include special tattooing rituals, fire dances, and 'ava ceremonies. The wearing of lavalavas and weaving are important parts of their culture as well.
I was especially excited to learn about the Samoan fire dance! Fire dances are a common feature of fiafia nights, which are celebration nights when traditional Samoan dances and songs are performed. The word for dance in Samoan is siva. Women tend to dance with gentle hand and foot movements to the rhythm of the music. One dance that my fellow students and I participated in at the Amaile village was the sasa, a group dance performed to a drum rhythm while sitting. For this performance, the chief of the village utilized the sides of a large tin can as a drum that led the beat for our dancing. Many of the men dance the fa'ataupati, which is a slap dance. The men also perform katas, which are ceremonial rituals performed during celebrations, although the kata is not considered a type of dance.
