ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the aspects of Samoan culture which have a direct impact on understanding the role of cattle in Samoan culture and the role of Samoan culture in cattle development. It provides the deeper understanding of culture necessary for determining whether Samoan culture is a motivation or a constraint in the development of smallholder cattle farming in Samoa. Self-esteem is related to family position and status, and to be a member of a well respected family, socially well located, is a universal goal: Samoa contained no proletariat, none who could not take pride in their family connections. The parent – child relationship is the strongest relationship of all Samoan relationships for as long as the parent lives. Samoan culture appears to have many contradictions and tensions. Samoa is an intensely competitive society. Money, like other introduced technologies, has been incorporated into Samoan culture, for cultural purposes.
