Samoan Flying Fox
This large fruit bat has a wingspan wider than a dinner plate and is the only native land mammal in Samoa, making it a truly one-of-a-kind resident of the islands.
Flag of Samoa
Field Report
Samoa is a small island nation sitting in the middle of the vast South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. It is made up of two main volcanic islands covered in lush green highlands, surrounded by coral reefs and warm blue water. Though it is one of the smaller countries on Earth, it has a rich culture, a distinct language, and a people who take deep pride in who they are and where they come from.
From the Field Notebook
Samoan Flying Fox
This large fruit bat has a wingspan wider than a dinner plate and is the only native land mammal in Samoa, making it a truly one-of-a-kind resident of the islands.
Pacific Boa
Samoa's only native snake is a gentle, slow-moving constrictor that hunts at night and is rarely seen by even the people who live near it.
Manumea (Tooth-billed Pigeon)
Known as the little dodo because of its hooked beak, this rare pigeon lives only in Samoan forests and appears on the national seal of Samoa.
Palusami
Tender taro leaves are wrapped around rich coconut cream and baked until soft, creating a dish that tastes both earthy and sweet at the same time.
Umu-roasted Pork
On Sundays after church, many Samoan families slow-cook pork and root vegetables in an umu, a traditional earth oven heated with volcanic stones.
Fa'ausi
Chunks of taro are coated in a thick, dark coconut-caramel sauce in this beloved Samoan dessert that is sticky, sweet, and deeply satisfying.
Samoa is one of the last countries in the world where the traditional way of life, called fa'a Samoa, still shapes nearly every decision a family makes together.
In 2011 Samoa skipped an entire day on the calendar by jumping over December 30th so its business week would line up with Australia and New Zealand.
Samoan men traditionally receive intricate tattoos called pe'a that cover the body from the waist to the knees, a practice that can take days of painful work to complete.
The islands of Samoa sit right on the boundary where the Pacific Plate meets the Australian Plate, which is why the region experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Samoa is positioned just west of the International Date Line, meaning it is one of the first places on Earth to see each new day begin.
Daily Life
72
Years life expectancy
98%
Can read and write
94%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Samoa is home to 6 distinct people groups — 2 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
Nearly all Samoa's people follow Christianity (95.2%). Evangelical Christians make up about 18.5% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Japanese
1,500 people
Deaf
600 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.