Countries and Their Cultures. (N.D.). Retrieved March 10, 2015, From
Components / Samoan (Brittany Lohse) / Native American (Kristine Evans) / The Ancient Mayans
(Keesha M. Thompson)
Food / Roasted chicken, homemade vegetable soup, smoky BBQ, fresh fish salad (ota), coconut cream covered potatoes, umu, sapasui, puligi.
Historical influences from European and Chinese food(Samoa Food, n.d.). The sea and the coconut palm are major food sources(Countries, n.d.) / Indian corn (maize), beans, squash, pumpkin, sunflowers, wild rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, peanuts, avocados, papayas, chocolate, buffalo, elk, caribou, deer, rabbit, fish, ducks, geese, turkey, shellfish, seal, whale (Native-Languages, 2015) / Corn, beans, lime soup, domestic turkey, deer, rabbit, monkey, fish, seafood, avocado, papaya, guava.
Raised bees in order to make their own honey, turkeys were also used to harvest eggs. (incamayan
aztec.com, 2013)
Clothing / Young females are not to go out in public wearing shorts or revealing clothes because it is a sign of disrespect. Very traditional clothing such as dresses or wraps are worn by women and men. Puletasi and Lavi Lavi are wraps worn by Samoan’s (Samoa Clothing, n.d.). / Headdresses, moccasins, headbands, basket hats, turbans. Depending on the tribe, it is optional for women to cover up the top portion of their bodies (Indians.org, 2015) / Women wore either skirts, dresses or a poncho-like top that was tied and held together with a knot. Men wore an 8-10 inch long breech clout, wrapped around their waist numerous times before it was passed between their legs. (Incamayan
aztec.com, 2013)
Language / Austronesian language, Samoan (Countries, n.d.) / Depending on the family that one belongs to determines what language is spoken. The most common is Navajo, followed by Cree, Ojibwa, Cherokee, Dakota, Apache, Blackfoot, and Choctaw (Rehling, n.d.) / There is an average of 69 different languages spoken, and about 31 different dialects. Eastern Mayans spoke Quiche and Cakchiquel while the Western Mayans spoke Tzetltal.
(Scott Coble, 2013)
Norms / Children are to always respect their elders and beginning at age 5 be a part of the family economy. (Countries, n.d.) Lowering the eyes is a sign of respect to authority figures such as teachers. Looking authority figures in the eyes when being talked to is seen as confrontation or disrespect. / When angry or uncomfortable in social situations, Native Americans remain silent. They respect individual differences, only speak personal thoughts or opinions when asked, and spirituality is a natural component of everything (Evergreen, n.d.) / The Ancient Mayan culture strongly believed in human sacrifices (children included) in an effort to please the Maize God. Preparing young boys/girls for marriage started at an early age. Purification rituals included bathing, remaining abstinent and participating in confession.
Customs / To’ona’i on Sundays after church (Samoa Food, n.d.) / Animal faces on totem poles represent the spirit of family and important tribal figures (Native Net, 2014). Powwows are cultural events that pass down traditions from generation to generation. / Women were responsible for taking care of the children and the house while the men worked and hunted as farmers. The Mayans also included calendars and astronomy into their daily rituals. Using the sky assisted them when it came to predicting major occurrences. (incamayanaztec.
Com, 2013)
Learning Styles / Education is provided in secular and religious institutions (Countries, n.d.) Lecturing is very common because Samoan’s are taught to be good listeners. Also student centered learning is becoming more popular (Purcell, 2007). / Students value and develop acute visual discrimination skills in the use of imagery, value cooperative behavior and excel in cooperative environments, perceive globally, and are reflective learners (Price, Kallam, & Love, 2009) / Education was provided depending upon the group you were in. Higher level groups such as priests and chiefs would receive their education before others. Lower level groups were educated by family and friends. (Incamayanaztec
.com, 2013)
Values / God, family, food (Countries, n.d.). / Family, the Earth, and Spirituality / Respect was always shown to the leader of the family. Children were taught at a young age to be responsible. A strong work ethic was also necessary. (Incamayanaztec.
com, 2013)
Symbols / Southern cross on the national flag and emblem of the state. National motto is “Samoa is founded on God” translated Fa'avae ile Atua Samoa. Coconut palm and the sea are also on the flag. Kavi that is prepared for chiefs. (Countries, n.d.) / Native American symbols tell a story and are left to warn others of dangers. These symbols are drawn on hides, rocks, and bones. (Donn, n.d.) / Hieroglyphics were carved into the stones or painted on objects such as pottery to stress the importance of religion and astronomy.
(ancient-symbols.com, 2013)
References
Countries and Their Cultures. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Samoa.html
Donn, L. (n.d.) Retrieved March 10, 2015 from www.nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/stories/symbols.html
Evergreen (n.d.) Traditional Native American Values and Behaviors. Retrieved March 10, 2015 from www.nwindian.evergreen.edu/curriculum/ValuesBehaviors.pdf
Native-Languages (2015). Native American Food. Retrieved March 10, 2015 from www.native-languages.org/food.htm
Native Net (2014). Native American Culture. Retrieved March 10, 2015
from www.native-net.org/na/native-american-culture.html
Price, M., Kallam, M., & Love, J. (2009) The Learning Styles of Native American Students and Implications for Classroom Practice. Retrieved March 10, 2015 from www.se.edu/nas/files/2013/03/NAS-2009-Proceedings-M-Price.pdf
Purcell, L. (2007, January 1). Lecturing and the Samoan Student. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://gradworks.umi.com/32/58/3258757.html
Rehling, J. (n.d.) Native American Languages. Retrieved March 10, 2015 from www.cogsci.indiana.edu/farg/rehling/nativeAm/ling.html
Samoa Clothing. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://www.mapsofworld.com/samoa/people-culture-festivals/clothing.html
Samoa Food: Samoan food culture. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://www.samoafood.com/p/samoan-food-culture.html