Reflection on Christianity and Gender Roles in Samoa:

      Samoan culture and way of life was drastically altered by Christianity, which ultimately led to Westernization of the Island. Christianity and its correlating rules of society, such as modest women, also changed the role of the fa'afafine, or the third gender in Samoa. Although both Samoan culture and the fa'afafine still exist today, they are not at all what they once were. Samoan culture was the free men and women, living off nature and worshiping many gods and spirits, hunting, and of course the Island songs and dances that still exist today. However, it is unfortunate that the only thing about their culture that really still exists today are the songs and dances. Those English missionaries changed everything for the Samoans, and made them a civilized society. There are still some different practices in Samoa of course, because it is Island life and not European life, but for the most part they have modern technology, stores, economic practices, churches, schools, literature, art, and music, and speak fluent English.

      What happened in Samoa is different from many other ethnic groups and indigenous peoples that have been discussed in class, because they did not just change their ways over time like the Shuar of the Amazon, and they were not just observed by Europeans like the Yanomamo. English missionaries actually went to Samoa with the full intent of converting the Samoans to Christianity and making them more civilized, and they succeeded. Samoa has done very well and is now a successful Westernized community, but I still think it is sad that so much was changed in Samoa. Although no Samoans from when the missionaries first visited them are still alive today, as that was in 1830, I believe they would be upset and feel much like the indigenous group in the Amazon who are fighting for their land and their own practices despite government pushes of Westernization. The Samoans embraced Christianity, but I am not sure they knew what all they would be embracing that accompanies the religion.