Arrival of Missionaries in Samoa and its impact on Samoans
This post will give viewers an understanding on how missionaries arrived in my country and its
impacts. I've used questions provided by our Lecturer Dr. Emily Colgan to give a clear understanding.
When and how did Christianity arrive in my context?
The Christian missionaries arrived in Samoa on the 24th of August 1830. It was led by John
William and Charles Barf. From a word-of-mouth story that was taught by our elders, a
Samoan missionary by the name of Fauea and his wife was with John Williams during their
mission work in Tonga. They lived in Tonga for the past 11 years. He went up to John
William and asked him if they could bring Christianity into their lands as they do not believe
in a Christian God but rather worship spirits Gods and may be a good chance for them to
return back to their lands. This was when John Williams along with missionaries from Tonga
and Tahiti decided to bring Christianity into Samoa. They paddled their canoe along the
shores of Samoa until they found the right shore which was in Sapapalii. They anchored their
canoe there and heard that a powerful man by the name of Tamafaiga had been killed. Fauea
feared this man prior to coming to Samoa as he is a man who is connected to the spirits of
Gods, if he cannot accept Christianity then every citizen would agree with him. However,
hearing this news comforted this Samoan missionary and their team, knowing that their work
would be at ease.
How the Christian message and Missionaries initially engage and is received in my context?
While growing up, I would often hear this oratory proverb during ceremonies and gatherings,
“E ui lava I isi taeao, ae ole taeao sili lava ole taeao ole talalelei” (Of all mornings, the best
morning was the morning of Gospel). This signifies the importance of Christianity and how it is highly
regarded in my context and can clearly explain how the Christian message was
received. It was easy for Samoans to have accepted, impacted and influenced them with these
Christian teachings. Despite the wars they have faced and the struggles they had to endure
because of people believing in spiritual Gods, they believed that this can be a change for
them. John Williams in his journal wrote, the rapidity of the work is another circumstance of too
great importance to be overlooked. Wherever I went I was received with the greatest respect, and all
classes manifested a desire for missionaries. In his words, it enlightens how Samoans yearned for
Christian teachings whilst giving the utmost respect to those who brought them light such as
missionaries. Furthermore, the male chiefs played a significant role in the fast paced changing process
and not forgetting women on the other side also played their part. This engagement solidifies the need
of every Samoan to become Christians.
What has mission traditionally looked like in my context?
Mission influenced traditional values of our context and it is still experienced and witnessed
today. From my context, we wear white puletasi (two piece wear covering both the upper and
lower body) to church every Sunday, while before tree leaves were used to cover each
gender’s private parts. Poula is a traditional way of dancing performed by women and was
seen by missionaries as disgusting and therefore was discouraged until now. This particular dance was
done by women to catch the attention of men, it was a traditional practice that
leads into polygamy and this was a sin in Christian teachings hence why it was done.
Polygamy at the time was acceptable because of Political reasons however it was also against
missionaries teachings. Consequently, chiefs wishing to become Christians were asked to choose
one wife for the rest of their lives, and to permit their previous wives to remarry.
Currently, if a married man remarries another girl while the wife is still alive then that is a sin against
Christian teachings, the only escape to this is when the wife passed away and he can remarry again.
What is the legacy of the lasting impact of Christian mission activities in my context?
The legacy of the lasting impact of Christian in my context that I liked talking about is,
women can never be ordained or be superior to her husband. Women are responsible for
taking care of their children and also their homes. The missionary teaching limited the voices
of women to participate in largely spheres and rather work in the environment that is centered
on her husband. Currently, there is a girl only school in Samoa (Papauta Girls Secondary
School), focusing on the preparation of a girl to become a Church Minister’s wife. The
missionaries’ wives taught this and influenced them to be like them and with this Western
civilization and colonial knowledge has a lasting impact on my context. Prior to the arrival of
missionaries, females were regarded as vessels of divinity with powers to attract the supernatural.
Hence women were also regarded as spiritual mediators. In family worship the priestly roles in
ancient Samoa were performed both by the matai or his sister. Subsequently, these Christian
teachings set boundaries and limits for women’s rights and it has affected our societies nowadays.
How has the story of the mission impacted/influenced my context in the present?
It influences my context in many different ways such as
1. We normally wear white in church instead of tree leaves.
2. Worshiping our Christian God has become a norm for families, schools, villages and of course
the church
3. The pastor’s wife is responsible for doing motherly activities to support the husband (pastor)
and the congregation
4. Our context can never ordain women
5. Women are labeled as nurturers and caregivers and is solely responsible for completing all
household activities
6. We sang hymns from a hymn book translate by forefathers and missionaries
7. We read the bible that was translated by forefathers and missionaries
8. We can now speak a language because of missionaries knowledge that has enabled us to read
and write
9. We no longer build any Samoan open fale (house) but prefer to build modern designed houses
10. Sewing and weaving has become an important part of women because it was influenced by
missionary wives.
Therefore,it impacted us in different ways and I would acknowledge the role of missionaries in our
context. Despite the fact that they did colonize the minds of Samoans at the time, no one is to be
blamed because they traditionally believe that this day will come and they will have to accept it. Even
though we are suffering in some ways because of missionaries teaching, I do believe that what they
brought into our country has impacted us in many ways.
It is so important to know and celebrate the history of how the good news has been shared and to honour those who risked so much and gave so generously. It is also good to think about how much we should take from our own cultures when we spread the news beyond in other settings. I wonder what learning this story makes us think about as we consider going to other places and sharing the love of Jesus?
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