CULTURE
The
Children's Mass is a special day, as big as Christmas, when all
the children of the island receive new clothes and special gifts.
The day is focused around the children, who round up all the adults
and run the festivities, from cooking in the early morning hours
to conducting services and singing in angelic choirs in all the
churches. Services are conducted and songs sung in Samoan, a dialect
similar to other Polynesian languages
The American Samoans have a strong christian community which dates
back to the days of Reverend Williams who came to the islands
in the 1800s, representing the London Missionary Society (LMS).
His benevolent ways, and wise counsel soon convinced the Natives
to turn from their pagan worship to christianity and brotherly
love. Soon after the LMS arrived tribal wars between villages
stopped, and were replaced by friendly dance competitions and
dugout canoe races.
