structural:expansion
Culture

The Samoan culture has developed over 3,500 years and largely withstood interaction with European cultures. It was adapted well to the teachings of Christianity. The Samoan language is still in use in daily exchange; however, English is widely used and also the legal official language. Besides Samoan language classes and cultural courses, all instructions in public schools are in English. The basic unit of the American Samoa culture is the ʻ aiga (family). It consists of both immediate and extended family.

The matai, or chief, is the head of the ʻ aiga. The chief is the custodian of all ʻ aiga properties. A village (nu ʻ u) is made up of several or many ʻ aiga with a common or shared interest. Each ʻ aiga is represented by their chief in the village councils.