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 capturing men performing a Fa'ataupati (a slap dance performed only by men). This type of dance involves slapping of the body and making a lot of noise. The men are seen topless and dressed in a ie (material used to tie around the waist) with a titi (materials tied around their waist with strands of material attached to it), a small ula lei (necklace made out of flowers), and small coconut pieces as ankle bracelets. The man in front has a traditional Samoan tattoo (tatau/pe'a). The symbols and motifs of the pe'a represent the different roles and responsibilities that a Samoan male must fulfil. The image is similar to ref. S4267.

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