In the Samoan culture, the extended family is most important.  Each family picks a Matai, or chief.  This person may be a man or woman and he or she is responsible for representing the family at community meetings, as well as making decisions.

Most Samoan families are very large.  There may be up to 12 children in one family!  Children would work on the land, doing farming-type jobs.

Samoans that have left Samoa to live elsewhere do not forget those in their homeland.  Those living away from their home send money back to their families on a regular basis.