Contact with Europeans began in the early 18th century. Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutchman, was the first known non-Polynesian to sight the Samoan islands in 1722. This visit was followed by French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, who named them the Navigator Islands in 1768.
Many years of Pacific wars ensued into the 13th century. Dutchman Jacob Roggeveen was the first European to sight the islands in 1722, but it wasn't until 1830 when the Reverend John Williams arrived in Savai'i, that the Christian gospel had an impact on Samoan life.
Archaeologists believe that Polynesians settled in the Samoa Islands about 3,000 years ago. Their great migration halted here for some 1,000 years before voyagers went on to colonize the Marquesas, Society Islands, and other island groups farther east.
Early period
Polynesians traveling in outrigger canoes arrived in the Samoan archipelago about 1000 bce, as indicated by Lapita pottery shards found in Mulifanua Lagoon on Upolu. Characteristics of the Samoan language indicate that the settlers probably came from Tonga.
Samoa's first people were seafarers who, guided by the stars, arrived on outrigger canoes around 1,000BC. Ancient myths and legends say the first people descended from the heavens and gods to inhabit these islands, however, It is believed they came from Tonga.
Early history
The oldest archaeological evidence found on the islands of Polynesia, Samoa and Tonga all date from around that same period, suggesting that the first settlement occurred around the same time in the region as a whole.
People still live with a strong focus on Fa'a Samoa (the Samoan way) – a way of life that stretches back more than 3000 years and is still reflected in most aspects of Samoan culture and society today.
According to Samoan oral tradition, Tonga was once under the sway of the Tui Manu'a and paid tribute to the chiefs of Samoa. In the tenth century this dominance was reversed, the Tui Manu'a were supplanted by the Tuʻi Tonga Empire, and Samoa's chiefs paid tribute to Tonga.
The arrival of fast food restaurants and other contemporary food items on the islands are one of the issues responsible for the obesity in Samoa. The earliest photographs of Samoans provide visual proof of the native population's natural physique before the introduction of processed foods by Western society.
The Maoris are Polynesians, and, in common with the majority of their kinsfolk throughout the Pacific, they have traditions which point to Savaii, originally Savaiki, the largest island of the Samoan group, as their cradleland.
Samoans traditionally had a pantheistic religion, where family elders would perform most rituals. Missionaries introduced Christianity in the country in the early 19th century. Their profound impact on Samoa has become particularly evident in the religious landscape of contemporary society.
The article 1 of the Constitution of Samoa states that "Samoa is a Christian nation founded of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit".
The eastern islands became territories of the United States in 1904 and today are known as American Samoa. The western islands became known as Western Samoa (now just Samoa), passing from German control to New Zealand in 1914.
Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country comprising a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Previous names were German Samoa from 1900 to 1919, and Western Samoa from 1914 to 1997. It was recognized by the United Nations on 15 December 1976 ( UN members) as Samoa.
A small fishing village established 2900 years ago in Tonga has been confirmed as the first settlement in Polynesia. Using pottery shards, archaeologist David Burley says they have confirmed Nukuleka, just east of Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, is Polynesia's birthplace.
On January 20, 1942, the Marine Brigade arrived with 5,600 officers and enlisted men with their heavy artillery to defend the island. Natives were also recruited to form a Samoan Marine Brigade known as (Maligi Samoa) that consisted of 350 men.
Mangaia, southernmost of the southern group of the Cook Islands, a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean. It is the second largest of the Cook Islands, after Rarotonga, and at an estimated 18 million years old is believed to be the oldest island in the Pacific.
Many Samoans moved to New Zealand for greater opportunities and a better education for their children.
Samoans are Polynesian and there are few other distinct ethnic groups, though some elite Samoans have part Chinese or European (especially German) ancestry. Samoa has retained strong elements of fa'a Samoa (the Samoan traditional culture) in its constitution and political structure, and society is hierarchical.
Early history
Samoa was discovered and settled by the Lapita people (Austronesian people who spoke Oceanic languages), who travelled from Island Melanesia. The earliest human remains found in Samoa are dated to between roughly 2,900 and 3,500 years ago.
Mitavale Levaopolo Sione, born 18 April 1907, celebrated her 109th birthday yesterday, making her possibly the oldest person in Samoa.
Today In History: 11 February 1977 – Queen Elizabeth II Begins Silver Jubilee Pacific Tour with a One Day Visit to Samoa. The Silver Jubilee Pacific tour of Queen Elizabeth II began with a one-day visit to then Western Samoa on 11 February 1977.
NZ's Invasion of Samoa in 1914
Germany governed Samoa from the turn of the century until, just a week after the declaration of what became the First World War, Britain asked New Zealand to disable a radio mast in German Samoa.
Chinese began coming to Samoa in the late 19th century, arriving as workers on European merchant ships and drawn in by German companies to work on the country's extensive plantations. Soon a Chinese population existed in Samoa and began establishing its own businesses and enterprises.