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 the aualuma (young women of the village), who are possibly performing a maulu'ulu (graceful dance performed by young girls and women). Most of the women are wearing the same uniform, which includes a headband made out of launiu (coconut palm leaves), small ula lei (necklace made out of flowers) and small coconut pieces as ankle bracelets). Two women, seen centre frame, are wearing different attire from the rest of their fellow performers. One of the women is wearing a large ula gifo (ula=necklace, gifo=teeth) which are made out of pig/boars teeth. The image is the same as ref. S4250.

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