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Picture a Samoan family gathering in Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane, California or anywhere far from the islands. The food is ready. The music is playing. Aunties are laughing in the kitchen. Uncles are calling out across the room. Grandparents are sitting quietly, listening, smiling and waiting for the young ones to come close.

But for many Samoans born or raised overseas, there is a small ache in moments like this. You know the faces. You know the food. You know the songs. But when the Samoan language fills the room, you may only catch a few words. You smile, but deep down you wish you understood more. This is why learning Samoan matters. It is not just about speaking correctly. It is about finding your way back into the story of your people.

The new live action Moana movie is premiering around the world. If you didn’t already know my views about the Moana series go and read Moana is not real! Moana is based on a mish mash of Pacific myths and legends. Yes, it is a make-believe place but the myths and legends that it is based on are real and part of our Pacific cultures. This is why I think it is important to know some Samoan myths and legends that form the basis of Moana. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a...

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learning Samoan can be easy as watching a video, plus it is free. We have selected 15 videos that teach you about 100 Samoan phrases with pronunciation. Samoan Phrases for cars and bikes Ready to take your Samoan language skills on the road? In this video, you’ll learn everyday Samoan phrases and vocabulary about cars and bikes, complete with simple pronunciation to help you sound confident. Whether you’re chatting about driving, fixing your ride, or just talking transport, these...

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Many people believe they need to know everything about Samoan culture before they can reconnect with it. They think they need to speak perfect Samoan, understand every tradition, know every family connection, or have all the answers before they can confidently call themselves connected to their culture. The truth is much simpler. You do not need to know everything to start. In fact, waiting until you feel ready may be the very thing keeping you disconnected. For many...

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Growing up Samoan, many of us heard the same things over and over again from our parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and village elders. “Respect people older than you.”“Remember where you come from.”“Family first.”“Don’t forget your language.”“Serve others before yourself.” When we were younger, it sometimes sounded like endless lectures. Some of us rolled our eyes. Some ignored it completely. Others felt frustrated because we did not fully understand why these lessons mattered so much. But then life happened....