WEEKLY REVIEW 311: SAMOAN INDEPENDENCE…UNITED NATIONS MISSION

Rights Information
Year
1947
Reference
S4267
Media type
Stills
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Rights Information
Year
1947
Reference
S4267
Media type
Stills
Item unavailable online

This content is for private viewing only. The material may not always be available for supply.
Click for more information on rights and requesting.

Series
WEEKLY REVIEW
Place of production
New Zealand/Aotearoa, Samoa
Photographer
Stanhope Andrews

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. S4258.

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