WEEKLY REVIEW 311: SAMOAN INDEPENDENCE…UNITED NATIONS MISSION

Photograph taken on location in Samoa during filming by the National Film Unit (NFU) of the United Nations (UN) Mission visit in 1947. Related to ref. F768 ‘Weekly Review 311’ (1947). A delegation from the UN meet with the Paramount Chiefs of Samoa and the Fono a Faipule, among others, to determine the wishes of the people regarding independence from the New Zealand Trusteeship.

Exterior mid-shot showing two young women weaving ato (baskets/bags) from coconut palm leaves, to gather and carry coconuts or crops home from the plantation. Two young men are standing behind them [possibly waiting for the baskets to be finished]; all four are wearing lau fa'i (banana leaf) necklaces and an aute (hibiscus flower) behind their ear. 'Lagaga o le ato' translates as 'weaving of baskets', and these baskets can be made at the plantation or woven together at home for purposes such as storage or transferring items. The image is the same as ref. S4260 and similar to ref. S4261.

Description kindly provided by Va'aomanū Pasifika (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington) intern, To'aga Alefosio.