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 a Manaia (high chief) dancing with a nifo oti (a weapon used in warfare centuries ago), who is looking at the camera. The Manaia is wearing an elaborate headdress called the tuiga which is made out of human hair, feathers, sticks and shiny objects. The Manaia also has a ula gifo (ula=necklace, gifo=teeth) which are made out of pig/boars teeth, several ula lei (necklaces made out of fresh flowers), a titi (materials tied around his waist made out of tea-leaves). A crowd of people are seen on the bottom left of frame.

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