ABSTRACT
For more than a century, much has been written about the role of Samoan culture in the development of Samoa. This chapter gives a chronological overview which illustrates the interpretations and assumptions that have been perpetuated, and their theoretical origins. Samoans were characterised as resistant to change and the culture as a ‘hindrance’ and ‘detrimental’. It was assumed that change would be good for Samoans, and that this was to be in the form of changes to the culture or a complete break from the culture: economic wellbeing can be achieved mainly by a change in custom and tradition. In recent years an alternative view of the role of Samoan culture in development has emerged in which Samoan culture is seen as a vehicle for and motivator of development. The view of Samoan culture as unchanging and communal in productive activities meant that aid for the village sector was directed into communal cattle projects.
