The iCross-Cultural Citizen Project- Our Indigenous World: Samoan Westernization-Group 7: Gender Issues:

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Gender Issues:

Samoan culture recognizes three genders including male, female, and fa'afafine. The fa'afafine are born males who take on female gender roles but do not call themselves female and do not remove or change their genitalia. Before Samoa was westernized with Christianity by missionaries, Samoan women wore little clothing and were free, sexual beings, which is common of indigenous groups. The missionaries transformed the women into being more modest, which is when the fa'afafine really emerged as flirtatious, bold sexual beings. This was the loophole to the Christian missionaries' new rules, as the fa'afafine are not actually women. Fa'afafines are born males raised in women's roles, and accepted by their family and society as a third and equal gender identification.

Bibliography:

Pacific Beat Street

2010: Pacific Beat St Ep 167- What is Fa'afafine. Electronic document,

<http://youtu.be/GV_g6X2PEvs> , accessed July 16, 2013.

Filmmakers Library
2000: Paradise Bent: Boys will be Girls in Samoa. Electronic document,
<http://flon.alexanderstreet.com.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/View/1641452>, accessed July 18, 2013.

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Background Information:
Welcome to the Samoan Islands, home
to some of the most beautiful islands and parks known to mankind. This island
has a rich history of interesting stories that delve into the Westernization of
a once native culture as well as the preservation of traditional Samoan
culture. Since the 1960’s, the Samoan Islands have experienced the influence of
Western European and American culture. However, although many traditions and
practices of the tribes of native Samoans are being compromised, the people of
Samoa actively work to preserve their cultural practices. Many Polynesians have
successfully fought for the preservation of their land, language, and culture
to leave their rightful mark on the Samoan Islands. In the Samoan Islands you
will find Americans, Westernized Samoans, and traditional Polynesians all
living together in an attempt to keep peace and work harmoniously.

Geographic Location:

The Samoan Islands are divided into two territories: Samoa and American Samoa. The American Samoa consists of seven islands that lie southwest of Hawaii. To the west of the American Samoa are the oldest Samoan Islands. Majority of Samoans reside on Tutuila, which is a well developed Urban area with the famous Pago Airport that welcomes many visitors. The next closest island is the Aun’u Island. To the East, there are the islands of Ofu, Olosega, and Ta’ u. These Islands are home to the world’s most beautiful beaches and are frequently visited by tourists. The original Samoan Islands lie farther west. They are the islands of Upolu, Apolima, and Savai’i. These areas have some of the richest tropical ecosystems that the Samoans have fought to protect over many decades.

Bibliography:

U.S. Department of the Interior

2010: Field Study of the Effects of the 29 September 2009 Samoa Tsunami

U.S Department of Commerce

Tuitila Map and American Samoan Information. Electronic document,

http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/smo/smoinfo.html, accessed July 15th, 2013.

The Vision:

The iCross-Cultural Citizen Project’s vision is to create an online cross-cultural space for students, professionals, and youth to learn and exchange cross-culturally sensitive information about contemporary indigenous experiences. From that outsider student’s perspective, we will try to theoretically explore possible collaborative solutions to problems that affect the indigenous populations of our planet. Finally, we hope for the future creation of a space where indigenous youth can share their experiences and their realities with us for real mutual collaboration to take place