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Even though
Upolu is the smaller of the two major inhabited island in
Independent Samoa, more than two third of the population are
living there. About 35,000 in Apia, another 20-30,000 in the
extended town area. And around 50,000 more people live
elsewhere on Upolu, never more than a two-hour busride (at
most) away from Apia.
Outside Apia
the traditional village life is still very much alive.
Traditional houses (fales), often still without any walls
allowing the breeze to refresh the people. Privacy has never
been a value of the Fa'a Samoa, the Samoan Way. People live
in extended family groups, virtually always on own land, can
grow their own food (and still often do that).
All aorund
Upolu there are villages, with the lagoon in front to
provide fish and other seafood, with the plantations in the
back where you find everything else you need for a healthy
diet (staple food, fruit, vegetables, coconuts). Not all
people look like living on a healthy diet? Well, blame it on
the village store, where you find imported good, full of fat
and sugar. |
