Independence Day in Samoa

When did the Independence Day in Samoa start?

The first recorded date of Independence Day in Samoa being celebrated on June 1 was in the year 1962.

About Independence Day in Samoa Holiday

Independence Day in Samoa is an uplifting and joyous occasion. Celebrating independence from outside rule and commemorating the nation's proud past, Samoa rejoices each year with a full schedule of traditional and contemporary activities for its citizens and visitors alike.

For over 50 years now, Samoan people have been able to celebrate their independence and affirm a progressive, dedicated nation. During Independence Day, Samoans take a short break from their daily lives to honor the country and reflect on the remarkable history of this nation that is so deeply connected to the Samoans’ culture and identity. Street parades, cultural displays, feasting, and dancing are just a few of the exciting activities that take place during this time-honored celebration.

As the event progresses, it's easy to feel the emotion of optimism that radiates all over Samoa from the ocean's shore to the island's inland jungles. During Independence Day, Samoans unite in a spirit of joy and camaraderie that is truly inspirational and rewarding. Don't miss out on this unique celebration – come join the Samoan people in their heartfelt celebration of freedom and unity!

Independence Day in Samoa

Independence Day in Samoa is a national holiday that’s celebrated each year on June 1st. It marks the anniversary of Samoa declaring independence from Germany in 1920 and subsequently the start of the First Samoa Republic. As part of the celebrations, both Samoans at home and overseas unite to honor their history, culture, and identity.

History and Origin

In 1899, during the First Samoan Civil War, Samoa was divided amongst Germany, Great Britain, and the United States, with Germany receiving the largest slice of the country. During the first decade of the 1900s, Samoan culture and traditions were heavily impacted by the German influence, in the form of schooling, churches, and German spoken more prevalently than Samoan in court proceedings. On 28th of August 1914 however, the New Zealand Expeditionary Force seized control of Samoa which it declared would be held as a mandate Island of New Zealand. This announcement sparked two meetings to be held where the local Samoan people called for a petitioning of back their administrative, social, and political rights.

In 1918, the Samoan people, through the Malietoa Tanumafili I, petitioned the League of Nations for freedom from New Zealand and to form a desirable Samoan nation and community. As a result, the League of Nations stamped New Zealand’s claim of trustee responsibility on the Island, while allowing for the establishment of the Samoa constitution on 1st of June 1919. The first governor of Samoa, appointed by New Zealand, was Charles Robert Bean and it was on June 1st 1920, Bean declared that the League of Nations had given permanent independence to Samoa. Celebrations began that same month with festive parades, fireworks, and large-scale banquets, and even now 1st of June is a holiday recognized and celebrated in Samoa.

Significance and Meaning

To Samoans, Independence Day is an opportunity to mark the milestone of their nation’s independence, displaying their immense pride for their culture and history. It’s a day where every Samoan, regardless of age, gender, or social class can unite together to celebrate the steps their ancestors took to gain freedom from foreign rule. Celebrations not only allow them to recognize this feat, but also to find solidarity as a nation, choose their own challenges, and influence their own direction.

Traditions and Celebrations

Independence Day has become a public holiday and is celebrated with gusto. Festivities often begin the night before with a streetcar parade, which features beautifully decorated cars, floral arrangements and traditional Samoan costumes. The parade culminates at the Samoa Tourism Visitors Bureau where participants look forward to the awards for ‘Best Decorated Car’, ‘Best Float/Sound System’, and ‘Best Costumes’, amongst many other awards. Meanwhile in the capital, Apia, activities start as early as 6am – official ceremonies attended by local and international dignitaries, school performances, concerts, Fa’a Samoa (traditional Samoan ‘way of life’) shows, open-air markets and sports competitions.

At night, the festivities continue with se’a ilo, or the fire-walking ceremony. Se’a ilo is a traditional ceremony that takes its root from the Gunita’a, where men and women are expected to walk barefoot across a coal-fired oven, Standing in the dawn of Independence Day, the few who are left to continue this tradition, work as a team to light the oven with firewood, carefully arranging each piece to ensure the coal fire is even. The fire is kept continuously burning, and the people display their courage by walking across the fire, which also symbolizes their connection to the ancient aspirations of the Samoan people.

Geographical Spread

Although Samoa celebrates the holiday on the official day of June 1st every year, celebrations of independence can be found throughout Samoa’s main islands and territories including Apia, the capital, and the villages of Saamea, Safa’alu, Saleapaga, Salani, and Manono. American Samoa, which was also annexed by the United States in 1899 also observing the holiday, but they call it ‘Flag Day’ and celebrate it on April 17th, as the day they gained self-governance.

Celebrations in other countries with indigenous Samoan populations, like the independent Samoan communities of Hawai’i, Aotearoa, Australia, and numerous other countries, have created their own unique celebrations, which while bringing recognition to the original holiday, also pay homage to their cultural heritage.

Modern Day Observations

Despite the fact that Samoa has seen a steady modernization of its culture, the core celebratory traditions remain strong. Events involving fire-walking, Samoan dancing, tattooing, singing and feasting fell nothing short of massive, with upwards of 20,000 attendees. Celebrations also include the crowning of the Independence Queen, and an award ceremony recognizing people for their contribution to the development of the independent Samoa. Over the years, there have been a few though non-essential additions to the celebrations such as art exhibitions, dances, and beach barbeques – events geared at bringing families together and ending the day of observance with a fond memory.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

1. The first ever Independence Day Parade was in 1930. The first Independence Day parade in Samoa was organized by John A. Brown, a former advisor of the late 1918 Samoan Delegation in London. From then on, the samoans have kept this tradition alive and is now an integral part of the Independence Day celebrations.

2. The largest Independence Day celebration took place in 1990. In 1990 the Samoan people celebrated their 70th anniversary of independence. A few months earlier, a referendum was held in Samoa in which 53,000 Samoan people voted for a constitutional reform allowing the country to secede from New Zealand’s trusteeship. This event was the biggest Independence Day celebration until that time, with more than 20,000 people from around the world in attendance.

3. The Samoan flag is closely related to the Samoan national anthem. The Samoan anthem, “Tautua O Samoa” (or “Service to Samoa”) is closely related to the Samoan flag, featuring the same colors and symbols. The four stars of the flag represent Samoa’s four main islands, Savaii, Upolu, Manono and Apolima. The white frigate bird in the corner of the flag is a symbol of Samoa’s independence from foreign rule.

4. The Samoan Government raises the flag every year at the state opening of their Parliament on July 21st. This is to mark the inauguration of the first parliament of Samoa, which was held on 21st July 1962. Samoan Government officials and members of the public gather around the pavilion to sing their national anthem and witness the flag raising ceremony, which is a special part of their Independence Day celebrations.

5. The flag of Samoa was designed to honor the country’s independence. The cross-like shape of the red, white, and blue bars of the flag symbolize the regional landscape of Samoa. The four stars in the flag represent the four main Islands of Samoa, as well as symbolizing peace, unity, and independence, while the frigate bird in the corner of the flag pays homage to the country’s independence from foreign rule.

Holiday Wishes

• Happy Independence Day!
• Celebrate courage and independence!
• Honor our national heritage!
• Gratitude for the sacrifices made!
• Here’s to a free and prosperous nation!

Holiday Messages

• Today marks the proud celebration of our Independence Day.
• We cherish our history and remember our heroes.
• Let us all come together in unity and continue to build on the legacy of our freedom.
• Warmest wishes for a joyous Independence Day!
• Let us remember why we celebrate and be grateful for our liberty.

Holiday Quotes

• “It is in the love of one’s country that true patriotism is born.” – Gregorio del Pilar
• “Our liberty can never be taken for granted. We must fight to preserve our freedom and defend our independence every day.” – Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
• “Independence is not allocated, it is earned. We must fight for it. We must never give up on it.” – Tufuga Emanuele
• “Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.” – Moshe Dayan
• “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” – Thome Paine

Other Popular Holiday Info

Though Independence Day has a long and proud history in Samoa, their predecessors celebrated their own independence in the historic struggle known as the “Mau”. The “Mau” was an independence movement associated with peaceful protests and nation-strengthening efforts orchestrated under the leadership of the Samoan politician, Malietoa Tanumafili I. The movement was seen as a pivotal moment in the struggle for Samoan independence, with Malietoa Tanumafili I becoming the nation’s first head of state after signing the independence declaration on 1 June 1920.

Even to this day, resilience and strength are essential values ingrained in every Samoan. During Independence Day, Samoans pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives for their nation’s freedom. Traditions like the se’a ilo fire-walking ceremony symbolize a continuing commitment to independence, strength, and courage.

Individuals visiting Samoa around this vacation are able to witness an immersive celebration of Samoan culture. From traditional Polynesian dance performances to award-winning carnivals, and from massive banquets to art exhibitions, the entire country comes alive as they celebrate Independence Day with joy and pride.