There are no written historical records of the colonisation history of Samoa as scripture was unknown. Archeological excavations in Mulinu'u, Upolu,  generated clay pottery of a time some 3.000 years ago, whereby it's assumed, that these remains were "imported" by the early settlers in Samoa because there is no clay on the islands. - Relating to these findings of first settlements in Samoa, historians call this era the "Lapita-Culture".

The first settlers arrived in Samoa about 3.000 years ago from the northeast, maybe New-Guinea; Fiji and Tonga were probably settled a few hundred years earlier. From Samoa wide parts of the Southpacific were discovered and settled, that's why the Samoans call Samoa the "Cradle of Polynesia".

1722 the dutch sailer Jacob Roggeveen accidently  discovered Samoa while he was looking for the legendary south-continent. 1768 a french sailor, Lois de Bougainville discovered Samoa and calls it the "Navigator Islands" because of the skillful Samoan sailors who crossed the Southpacific in their small outrigger-boats.

In 1830 John Williams of the London Missionary Society landed on the Samoan Island of Savaii and settles in Samoa as a missionary. - 10 years later all Samoans were christianized.

The reason why the christianization of Samoa went so fast and without bloodshed might be explained with the fact, that even at the beginning of the 19th century there were ritual human sacrifices and cannibalism. A Samoan prophecy said, that a different human race would come to Samoa one day who would bring a new religion that would displace the "local gods"........therefore the first missionaries were welcomed with open arms !

By the way: After the successful christianization of Samoa John Williams went to Vanuatu where he was killed and eaten.....after the conversion to christian faith his head was returned to the Samoans and is buried in Apia, Samoa, until today.

After 1850 german, british and american businessmen founded cacao- and copra-plantations in Samoa and built the first commercial settlements in Pago-Pago and today's capital Apia, Upolu. They brought chinese and indian laborer to Samoa who mixed in the course of time with the samoan natives.

In 1899 Samoa got devided among Germans and Americans. The USA received Pago-Pago and the Germans became the colonialists of West-Samoa. England abdicated it's part of Samoa and received the colonies in Tonga and the Salomon Islands instead .

With german thoroughness the new colonists started to measure Samoa and developed the first land-register. Under the flag of New Zealand the Samoan people stood up against the unjustified suppression of the occupying forces - they founded the Mau-movement which was fighting with civil inobedience to open resistance against the suppressors of New Zealand for the independence of Samoa.

At the beginning of World War I New Zealand took over Samoa, which was then taken under trust of New Zealand and Australia. After World War II Samoa was protected and ruled under the United Nations until December 31st 1961.

Since January 1st, 1962, Samoa is an independent state, the first one in the South-Pacific. Under the head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili II Samoa developes a constitutional democracy and becomes a Member of Commonwealth and the United Nations.

Germans still enjoy a special status in Samoa as there were never any armed conflicts between the former colonialists and the samoan people. - Even today, many samoan families have german family-names and they are proud of this heritage.

Nevertheless there are some behavioral rules that should be observed to avoid conflicts with the native Samoans. Nude swimming or sun-bathing, entering beaches without prior asking for permission, improper clothing in churches and other "bad behavior" is unwanted. - Whoever wants to enjoy Samoa should try to adopt and understand Samoan life-style.......and you have to get used to the fact, that nothing happens quick in Samoa. - impatience is regarded as unpolite !

The Samoans are very religious and very tolerant people. There are Mormons, Seven-days-Adventists, Jehovas witnesses, Protestants, Katholics and even a few Bahai, living together in perfect harmony and without any social tensions.

Going to church on Sunday is obligatory for each good Samoan, whereby even for "unbelievers" a visit to Sunday-church can be very rewarding because of the excellent church-choirs. - As Samoa is closed on Sundays anyway (including restaurants) you have plenty of time for that...

A highlight of Samoan culture is the Teuila-Festival in the first week of September, when various villages present dancing- and singing-events as well as a colourful parade in the capital Apia. On this occasion they perform a boat-race with the socalled Fautassi, a boat-race over 10 miles in which crews of 40 men fight for victory in their historic long-boats.

Another highlight is Independence Day on June 1st., when the Samoans celebrate their independence.