Oceania, Aotearoa and Australia
Samoans
Visit the nation's own site (opens in a new tab)
Lands
the Independent State of Samoa, on Upolu, Savai'i and nearby islands
Countries Samoa
Facts 3
Governance
Samoa's 2021 census counted 16,082 people aged 21 and over who hold a matai, or chiefly, title, including 1,444 women.
As of 2021 Source: Samoa Bureau of Statistics, Samoa Population and Housing Census 2021 Fact Sheet (Final Results, October 2022) (opens in a new tab) Checked Suggest a correction to this fact
Today
Women and master weavers have formed fine mat committees in their villages, and more young women, and some men, now weave the 'ie Samoa.
As of 2019 Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, 'Ie Samoa, fine mat and its cultural value (opens in a new tab) Checked Suggest a correction to this fact
Culture
The 'ie Samoa, a fine mat hand-woven from pandanus in strands as thin as one millimetre, can take months or years to make and is exchanged at weddings and funerals.
Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, 'Ie Samoa, fine mat and its cultural value (opens in a new tab) Checked Suggest a correction to this fact
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