Yes ~ Welcome to American Samoa and get to know the people here on the island. Here are some very pretty girls that have dressed up to see you ~>
And yes there are beauty contests on the island too. Here is this year's winner,
Miss 2002!!
The people of American Samoa are Polynesians.
In 1900, the population totaled 5,679. As of June 1997 the estimated total population is 60,000. In the span of 97 years, American Samoa's population has grown by an astronomical 948%.
The current population growth rate is 3.6%. Over 90 percent of the population are Samoans or part-Samoans. The non-Samoan component is comprised of Polynesians from other Pacific islands, Asians, other Islanders, Europeans mostly from the United States.
American Samoans are Nationals of the United States, with free rights of entry, and may become citizens if they wish, provided they satisfy the necessary requirements. American Samoa's age distribution favors the younger age brackets.
Below is a photo taken during their Moso'ol Festival,on the Island of Tutuila, dressed in their traditional costumes.
Food is a very important part of life for the Samoan people. They will make and take food with them where ever they go. Even during the elections recently they had tables of food setup to share with friends and family. Here are a couple of typical ladies working in the kitchen.
And just what kind of foods do they prepare for their take out! Well I've found these recipes, that you could easily make at home;
Esi Fafao
(Made with papayas, this Somoan dish is an interesting variation on stuffed green peppers) Serves 4
2 green papayas 1 pound ground beef 1 onion, chopped 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 2 eggs 2 tablespoons milk salt & pepper cooking oil
Preheat oven to 350. Halve papayas, cut off hard stem ends; scoop out and discard seeds. Combine beef with remaining ingredients except oil. Stuff papaya with beef mixture. Rub papaya with a little oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Arrange papayas, stuffed side up, in a baking pan. Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 minutes longer.
(Reprinted with permission from GourMAsia)
STUFFED YAM WITH CHEESE
Four servings:
1 small yam 1 cup flaked cooked fish 1 large tomato, chopped 1 cup milk or coconut cream 1/2 cup grated cheese
1. Bake the yam with the skin on until cooked.
2. Cut it in half while still hot. Take out the flesh, leaving the skin whole in the shape of a boat, and mash it with a fork.
3. Mix the flesh with the flaked fish, chopped tomato and milk or coconut cream.
4. Put the yam mixture back into the skin.
5. Sprinkle grated cheese on top.
6. Bake for about 15 - 20 minutes or until the cheese melts.
7. Serve hot.
BANANA BREAD
Two loaves:
3 1/2 cups flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoons baking soda 2 cups mashed, ripe eating bananas 2 tablespoons lemon juice 3/4 cup butter or margarine 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 eggs 3/4 cup milk
1. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda Set aside.
2. Mash bananas with a fork. Add lemon juice and mix. Be sure the bananas are mashed will
3. Cream together the butter or margarine and sugar, until they are well mixed. Add eggs and beat thoroughly until light.
4. Add the sifted ingredients to the egg mixture in small amounts, adding a little of the milk each time. Beat well after each addition.
5. Fold in the banana mixture. Mix well
6. Pour mixture into two greased loa pans. Bake in a moderate oven ( 180 or 350 F) for about 1 hour
7. Cool and serve.
BANANA RICE
Six to eight servings:
2 cups rice uncooked 12 ripe eating bananas 1 coconut Salt to taste
1. Clean rice.
2. Peel and slice bananas.
3. Put rice and bananas in a pot. Add water to 5 cm (2 inches) above the rice and boil gently until cooked.
4. Grate coconut, add a little water, and squeeze out the cream. Add salt to taste.
5. When rice is cooked, mix in the coconut cream.
6. Serve hot or cold with greens or other vegetables
SWEET POTATO AND PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE
Six servings:
4 medium sweet potatoes, cooked and sliced 2 cups cheese sauce (see below) 1 tablespoon grated coconut 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and sliced 2 tablespoons chopped spring onions 2 tablespoons butter or margarine Salt to taste
1. Grease a baking dish.
2. Arrange in layers, sliced pineapple, sliced sweet potato, grated coconut and spring onions.
3. Spread cheese sauce.
4. Repeat layers until all sweet potato and pineapple have been used.
5. Bake in a hot oven for 30 minutes.
6. Serve hot as a vegetable with cooked meat or fish.
Oh!!!!!! There are many many recipes of yummy Samoan dishes, but I better stop here.
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