Visited Samoa For The First Time, Here’s How It Went

This might sound weird to Americans, but Samoans have a unique relationship with the land. As I understand it, about 80% is called customary land, meaning it’s owned by families, within villages, and the matais (chiefs) have authority over the land. Customary land cannot be bought or sold, but it can be leased. There’s also freehold land, which can be bought and sold, but only by Samoan citizens unless you get permission from the Head of State.

So, you wouldn’t decide to just pick up and move to a new neighborhood like in the US. And the reason why you bury your relatives in the front yard, rather than the backyard, is so you don’t turn your back on the dead.