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Samoa flag
photo: New Zealand Pacific Radio
A Samoan academic says many young people may not fully understand the context of the flags they raise during events and in support of national sporting teams such as the Samoan team.
Samoa’s current flag is the sixth time it has been changed.
Samoan language expert and Indigenous studies tutor Musuiaiga Neil Sitagata-Tapu said Samoans, like Maori, found unity and identity in the flag, which was also influenced by the colonial era.
“Our beloved Samoan flag is actually our sixth flag. These flags bear witness to our nation’s brutal quest for independence,” Musuega said.
“Samoans need to remember that while the flag encourages unity, people are actually united by what the colonizers brought upon us.
“Before this flag was flown, there had been attempts by foreign governments to take over Samoa.”
photo: Royal Bank of New Zealand
In 1875, under the leadership of Malietoa Laupepa, the paramount chief of Tuamasaga Island in central Upolu, a red flag with a white cross and star appeared, symbolizing Christianity and independence.
Malietoa is one of the three highest titles in Western Samoa, but the title is opposed by the Tu’ua Tu’a and Tu’ana factions, who support Chief Tamasese, who supports German traders.
Tamasese modified the flag by placing a black cross on the white flag and adding the colors of Germany.
In 1868, Malietoa Laupepa was crowned “King” of Samoa, a title influenced by the British consul and later formalized in 1876 by the German, American and British consuls.
German support for Tamasese led to Laupepa’s exile after he asked Queen Victoria for protection. In December 1885, the red and white flag of Malietoa was taken down.
On September 15, 1887, the German military forced Laupepa and other chiefs to recognize Tui A’ana Tupua Tamasese Titimaea as king, causing Laupepa to go into exile.
Tamasese’s flag features a white field with a black cross next to a red box with a white star on it, highlighting the German influence.
Civil war broke out and Chief Matā’afa Iosefa successfully fought off Tamasese and his German allies, who in 1888 declared themselves Chief of Malietoa.
Despite this victory, the General Act of Berlin, signed by Germany, Britain, and the United States in 1889, restored Laupepa to his kingship and restored his red and white flag.
The Triple Treaty of 1899 gave the western islands to Germany (now independent Samoa) and the eastern islands to the United States (now American Samoa).
On March 1, 1900, the German flag was raised in Mulinu, marking the beginning of German colonial rule.
Colonial flags featuring the German black eagle and the Imperial crown were used until World War I disrupted Germany’s colonial ambitions.
New Zealand troops occupied Samoa on behalf of Britain on 29 August 1914. During the occupation, Samoa flew the New Zealand flag.
In 1920, Western Samoa became a League of Nations mandate under New Zealand rule and adopted a blue flag with three palm trees on sand as its official flag.
‘A symbol of colonialism’
Musuega said if she explained the concept of the Samoan flag now, it was the result of the colonisers dividing Samoa for the sake of domination.
“It’s easier for colonizers: to divide the people and rule while they’re divided.”
After World War II, Western Samoa became a United Nations Trust Territory administered by New Zealand.
On 26 May 1948, Samoa adopted its own flag, designed by traditional chiefs Malietoa Tanumafili II and Tupua Tamasese Mea’ole.
The flag is red with a blue center and four white Southern Cross stars, symbolizing courage, freedom and purity. In 1949, a fifth star was added to the flag.
In 1951, it adopted a national emblem, which appears to have been inspired by the UN emblem, as it was a UN Trust Territory at the time.
Above the shield is a golden sun, and at the base of the shield is a scroll with the motto “Fa’avae i Le Atua Samoa”, which means “Samoa is founded on God”.
After independence, the coat of arms was modified on June 1, 1962, with the background grid changed to red and a Christian cross above the coat of arms, which, like its motto, emphasizes Samoa’s Christian foundation.
The national flag has not changed since independence.
Asked if Samoa’s struggle over the flag was similar to the Maori struggle, Musuega said the Maori and Samoan flags were able to unite under a flag we identify with.
“We also need to remember that the flag itself is still a symbol of colonialism,” he said, adding that the flag remains a scar, a reminder of the struggle, and it is still there.
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