CULTURE

Social. Geographical. Anthropological.
Making Siapo with Fa’aSamoa Arts

Making Siapo with Fa’aSamoa Arts

What is Siapo? Siapo is an ancient Samoan art form, similar to painting, but instead the canvas is called tapa (made by pounding barkcloth stripped from the mulberry tree), the paintbrush is a paogo (pandanus seed), and the inks are made from nature. The lama (black...

FAPAC  ava ceremony demonstration

FAPAC ava ceremony demonstration

Some photos I snapped at a little gathering for the first American Samoa chapter of Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC). There was an ava ceremony demonstration, a taualuga by the cutest taupou, and of course, no event is without food in American Samoa!...

2021 Farm Fair at Fagatogo Market

2021 Farm Fair at Fagatogo Market

March 26, 2021 - Snaps around the Fagatogo Market during the Farm Fair Gabs got us each a fresh cold niu sans straw because we're good earth warriors over here 🙂 It's always hard trying to snap 'street photography' photos, but they're forever some of my favorites......

Virtual Pacific Roots Open Mic #16

Virtual Pacific Roots Open Mic #16

Pacific Roots Open Mic #16 went virtual! The theme ‘Mental Health’ raises awareness of mental health issues, empowering youth of American Samoa.

Pacific Roots Open Mic #14

Pacific Roots Open Mic #14

Pacific Roots Open Mic #14 Last month's open mic night, hosted by Pacific Roots founder Tamiano Gurr, powered by his better half Traci Porotesano, with the support of a creative village Gabby, Tulaga, Ammon, Jacinta and Saia, Toa, Athena, and a whole lot more people...