Flag Day

On April 17-18, American Samoa celebrated Flag Day. Here's a brief description:

April 17th is Flag Day in American Samoa, a public holiday. It commemorates the first rising of the stars and stripes over Tutuila in 1900. The United States originally annexed these islands for use as a naval base. Today Pago Pago is the home port to tuna boat fleets which supply fish for the Chicken of the Sea and StarKist brands.

There will be fautasi racing off Utulei Beach in Pago Pago Harbor today, with teams of dozens of men rowing the great longboat canoes. Flag Day is also marked by song and dance competitions in Fagatogo. It's one of the best times to be on the island.

(http://www.southpacific.org/blog/2006/04/american-samoa-flag-day.html)

We watched some of the parades and performances at the stadium. Villages and groups paid honor to the governor:
...and prepared elaborate siva ma pese (dances and songs). This is the village of Leone (and smaller surrounding villages). In all there were about 400 dancers on the field.

The chiefs.

And this is just a jumble of fun Samoa Siva going on. Picture loud bouncy ukulele music, choirs of strong voices, hundreds of brightly dressed bodies swaying (the governor and dignitaries included), dollar bills flying, and lots of smiles.

Quite impressive.

Here are some more photos taken by Samoa News.