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 three Samoan women weaving the ato (basket), while a younger girl observes the process. A young boy, seen in the background, has an aufa'i (bundle of bananas) [it is a possibility that he is waiting for the ato to be completed so he can put the bananas in]. The women and children are wearing laufa'i (banana leaf) as a necklace and a aute (hibiscus flower) tucked behind their ear. Samoan women usually take their young children with them everywhere they go, which allows the opportunity to teach their children some of the useful ways of living in Samoa. A simple task such as lagaga o le ato (weaving of baskets made out of launiu coconut palm leaves) can only be taught by observation. The image is the same as ref. S4252.

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