As a country that has a majority of catholic population Christmas is always a good time in Samoa. To start with it’s always a family affair and the lunches turn into dinners with the high possibility that the said dinner may even turn to breakfast.
The young ones are given gifts and other Christmas goodies to keep them occupied while the adults enjoy the peace and happiness the holiday brings. Samoan cuisine is absolutely delectable, plus it’s embedded within their culture to chow down as a family – here, meals are a really big social event that brings everyone together.
One can guarantee that the food for Christmas time will be the best that they can get their hands on the best crayfish, snapper, tuna and octopus – Samoan chefs have it all! When you’re not enjoying treats from the sea, you can look forward to indulging in Samoa’s tropical fruits like passion fruit and papaya. Then for dessert, you’ll drool over palusami – aka young taro leaves fused with coconut cream.
Christmas in Samoa can begin months in advance to build up to the annual event called “13 Days to Christmas”. These 13 days are filled with choirs singing Christmas carols and dramas being performed in the village of Vaitele-Uta. Christmas day begins with church and a remembrance of the miracle of Christ’s birth. After church families will open presents, eat food, and play game such as kilikiti or volleyball.
Christmas trees: Samoa does not use pine trees as Christmas trees like America does, however people have been getting more creative and making Christmas tress out of Bananas and coconuts. They will then decorate them with lights, ornaments, and tinsel.
How to say Happy/Merry Christmas: ‘Ia Manuia le Kerisimasi’
