In Samoa, matai, or chiefs of villages, hold huge significance, and are exclusively eligible to stand for parliament. But titles aren’t simply inherited.

Despite sizable populations now — 220,000 in Western Samoa, 65,000 in American Samoa — they still look like paradise, and they aren’t overrun with tourists.

Samoa's first prime minister was Matä'afa Fiamë Faumuinä Mulinu'ü II, the father of the current caretaker Prime Minister Fiamë Naomi Matä'afa. He first led the country in 1959, serving until 1970, and ...

In Samoa, matai, or chiefs of villages, hold huge significance, and are exclusively eligible to stand for parliament. But titles aren’t simply inherited.

KJ Apa is now an official Samoan chief. During a traditional ceremony in his village of Moata’a, the 25-year-old Riverdale star bestowed the Samoan chiefly title Matai on Thursday (1 September).

After the actor shared that his grandfather was also a chief, Jimmy asked if KJ would become one too. KJ was unsure at the time and mentioned he's not fluent in Samoan. "I would think it’s a ...

Importantly, the matai administer family property including customary land. About 81 percent of Samoa’s land is under customary ownership, with only 4 percent freehold and the rest public lands.

Misa cited one aspect of Samoan culture, its “Matai” system, which is a “chief system based on communal responsibilities,” as a difference that required Samoan democracy to differ from the Western ...

As Samoa prepares for its elections on 29 August, we look back at the nation's prime ministers and the legacies they have ...

In Samoa, matai, or chiefs of villages, hold huge significance, and are exclusively eligible to stand for parliament. But titles aren’t simply inherited.