Samoa flag Photo: RNZ Pacific
A Sāmoan academic says many younger people may not be fully aware of the background of the flags they raise during events and in support of their national sports teams, like the Toa Sāmoa.
Sāmoa's current flag is its sixth iteration.
Sāmoan language expert and indigenous studies tutor, Musuiaiga Neil Sitagata-Tapu, says Samoans, like Māori, find unity and identity in their national flags, which have been influenced by the colonial era.
"Our beloved flag of Sāmoa is actually our sixth flag. The flags are a testament to the brutal search for our nation's independence," Musuiaiga says.
"[Sāmoan] people need to remember that, although the flag encourages unity, people are actually uniting under what colonisers brought to us.
"Before this current flag, we had external governments try and take over Sāmoa."
Photo: RNZ
In 1875, a red flag with a white cross and star emerged, symbolising Christianity and independence under Malietoa Laupepa, paramount chief of Tuamasaga in central Upolu.
Malietoa, one of the three highest titles in Western Sāmoa, was opposed by Tui Ātua and Tui A'ana factions, which supported Tamasese, a chief favoring German traders.
Tamasese modified the flag by placing a black cross over the white one, incorporating the German colours.
Malietoa Laupepa was proclaimed "King" of Samoa in 1868, a title influenced by the British Consul and later formalised in 1876 by the consuls of Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
German support for Tamasese led to Laupepa's exile after he petitioned Queen Victoria for protection. In December 1885, Malietoa's red and white flag was taken down.
On 15 September 1887, the German military forced Laupepa and other chiefs to recognize Tui A'ana Tupua Tamasese Titimaea as king, leading to Laupepa's exile.
Tamasese's flag, featuring a white field with a black cross and a red canton with a white star, highlighted German influence.
Civil war erupted, and Chief Matā'afa Iosefa, who claimed the title of Malietoa in 1888, successfully fought Tamasese and his German allies.
Despite this victory, the 1889 General Act of Berlin, signed by Germany, Britain, and the United States, reinstated Laupepa as king, and his red and white flag was restored.
The 1899 Tripartite Convention allocated the western islands to Germany (now independent Samoa) and the eastern islands to the United States (now American Samoa).
On 1 March 1900, the German flag was raised in Mulinu'u, initiating German colonial rule.
A colonial flag featuring the German black eagle and Imperial crown was used until World War I disrupted Germany's colonial ambitions.
New Zealand troops occupied Samoa on 29 August 1914, on behalf of the United Kingdom. During this occupation, the New Zealand flag was flown.
In 1920, Western Sāmoa became a League of Nations Mandate under New Zealand's governance, and an official Blue Ensign featuring three palms on sandy soil was introduced.
'A symbol of colonialism'
Musuiaiga says if she was to explain the concept of the Sāmoa flag now, it is a result of colonisers dividing Samoa in order to rule.
"It's easier for the colonizer; divide people and rule while they are divided."
Post-World War II, Western Sāmoa became a United Nations Trust Territory under New Zealand's administration.
On 26 May 1948, Sāmoa adopted its own flag, designed by traditional chiefs Malietoa Tanumafili II and Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole.
The flag, red with a blue canton and four white stars of the Southern Cross, symbolised courage, freedom, and purity. In 1949, a fifth star was added.
A Coat of Arms was adopted in 1951 and, as it was a United Nations Trust Territory at the time, seems to have taken its inspiration from that of the United Nations.
The shield is surmounted by a golden sun and at the bottom is a scroll with the motto "Fa'avae i Le Atua Samoa", "Sāmoa is founded on God".
After independence, on 1 June 1962, a change was made, with the background grid now red and the shield surmounted by a Christian cross, emphasising, like its motto, Samoa's Christian foundation.
No changes have made to the flag since independence.
When asked whether Sāmoa's struggle is like the struggle of Māori when it comes to their flags, Musuiaiga says Māori and Sāmoa flag were able to unite under our flags that we identify.
"We also need to remember that the flag itself is still a symbol of colonialism," adding the flag is still a scar that reminds us of our struggle, it's still there".
