Talofa...and
welcome to the Polynesian Cultural Center's islands of Samoa. "Sacred
center" is
one definition of the name of these lush, tropical, high-rise islands
which are located almost 2,500 miles to the southwest of Hawaii,
approximately in the middle of the Polynesian
Triangle.
Samoa is also sometimes called the "heart of Polynesia." By
the way, the appropriate response to talofa, which is an expression of affection similar to
the Hawaiian word aloha,
is talofa lava.
Most Samoans
are friendly and outgoing. In fact, the famed 19th century author
Robert Louis Stevenson, who lived his final years and is buried there,
called them "the happy people." Samoa today is very much
a part of the modern world, but the people also hold firmly to fa'aSamoa — their Samoan language, dress, food and customs — which
they gladly share at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We guarantee
you'll be delighted to meet the Samoans.
Island
activities:
Six times each afternoon — at 12:35, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 and 5:30 — the
Samoans present one of the Center's most popular cultural demonstrations:
Learn
how to make fire by literally rubbing two sticks together, how to
easily crack open a coconut, the difference between coconut juice
and "milk," and how the men do all the major cooking. The
young men will also show their strength and agility by climbing 40-foot
coconut trees.
The "village" houses:
The demonstrations take place on the malae or grassy area
surrounded by outstanding examples of Samoan fale (houses),
which are among the most unique in all of tropical Polynesia:The
large high-roofed Maota Tofa, with its distinctive carved beams
and coconut-sennit lashings, is where the high chief and his family live. Other
families live in the more appropriately sized Fale Nofo,
with its nearby Tunoa or kitchen. The round Fale Tali Malo or Fale Fono on the other side of the malae doubles as the village "guest house" or "chief's
meeting house." |
 |
The
Polynesian Cultural Center's Migrations Museum and Fale
Popo — the Coconut Gift
Shop and snack stand — are also located in the Islands of Samoa.
The
Polynesian Cultural Center shares an introduction to an ancient and
fascinating
people. Learn more about the geography, history, and culture of
Samoa.
