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National Park of American SamoaAwa ceremony at a Samoan village.
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National Park of American Samoa
The Home Stay Program
 
Family and visitors in Vatia Village residence offering Home Stay opportunity.
An NPS Photo
Vatia family of a residence offering Home Stay opportunity
 

The Home Stay program provides an opportunity for visitors to become acquainted with Samoan people and culture in a village setting. Residents of villages associated with the National Park offer accommodations and the opportunity to learn local customs, crafts and the south Pacific lifestyle. Imagine staying in a village with the sights and sounds of the rainforest around you. Sleep in a Samoan house (fale), live with a Samoan family and start the day participating with village activities. Some may be familiar. Others, like cutting the Pandanus (laufala) tree leaves and drying them to weave mats, may not. Add to your weaving knowledge by learning simple methods, like weaving fans from palm leaves.

 
 Samoan woman showing visitor how to weave the laufala mat.
Home Stay Activities
Samoan woman demonstrating weaving.
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Samoan homestay bedroom.
The Hosts
Samoan bedroom in a homestay setting.
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A homestay house at Fiti'uta village.
The Details.
There are several homes to rent from the Homestay Program.
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 Samoan chief at meeting in the village fale.
Samoan customs.
Many Samoan activities require Samoan etiquette.
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Underwater close up of a green sea turtle swimming  

Did You Know?
In Samoan folklore, sea turtles were believed to have the power to save fishermen lost at sea by bringing them safely to shore. The Samoan word for sea turtle, “I'a sa,” translates literally to “sacred fish,” presumably because of this ability. Sadly, sea turtles here are now endangered.

Last Updated: August 10, 2006 at 17:47 EST