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American Folklife Center Collections: American Samoa

This guide provides access to ethnographic resources documenting expressive culture in the United States territory of American Samoa at the Library of Congress.

Introduction

American Folklife Center collections from the U.S. territory of American Samoa document the diversity of its expressive culture. Among its unique collections are recordings of music made in American Samoa by Bruce and Sheridan Fahnestock on expeditions to the South Pacific in the 1940s. A 2021 performance by Students' Association for Fa'asamoa was recorded by the Samoan Studies Institute at American Samoa Community College for the Library of Congress and can be viewed below.

Featured Video

The Samoan Studies Institute at American Samoa Community College formed the Students' Association for Fa'asamoa (SAFF) in 2009. It is comprised of students at the college who are interested in learning about Samoan culture, and its purpose is to teach college students the Faasamoa, or the Samoan way, to preserve traditions. Since its inception, SAFF has been active in performing the Siva Samoa (traditional Samoan dance), and in teaching and practicing ancient Samoan customs. This event features SAFF students performing traditional Samoan dances under the direction of Molitogi Lemana. 2021.

Collections of Intrest