Christianity has had a profound and lasting effect on Samoa. Since missionaires first arrived there in the early 1800s, Samoa's motto has been 'Fa'avae Samoa i le Atua' - 'Samoa is founded on God'.

Today this strong spirituality is highlighted during Samoa's annual Prayer Week .Throughout this time, fasting and worshipping becomes a national ritual, as Samoans throughout the country offer thanksgivings for blessings bestowed on them by God throughout the year.

Prayer Week was initiated by Samoa's government in the early 1990s after two devastating cyclones hit the islands. Cyclone Ofa (1990) and Cyclone Val (1991) damaged the islands so severely that it took nearly a decade for the country to recover agriculturally and economically. Despite the devastation around them at the time, Samoans drew together collectively to pray for restoration of their nation. Instead of blaming God, most explained the disasters as "God's will". To some, the disasters were seen as God's retribution for the corruption and injustice that had gripped parts of Samoa's society. To others though, it was purely a result of Samoa's geographic vulnerability to cyclone weather.

Whatever the explanation, Prayer Week has now come to symbolise a time of renewal and rebirth. Whereas other countries use historical war or cultural events to celebrate nationalism, in  Samoa, Christianity is a force that brings out nationalistic pride and unity.

Everyone observes Prayer Week, including the Head of State, Prime Minister, members of parliament, church leaders and Samoan citizens. Special songs and hymns are composed by the different denominations to highlight the need for God's guidance over the people of Samoa.

Samoa is one of the few countries in the world where Christianity and the church are major influences socially, politically and culturally. Most Samoans observe Sunday worship, and a village curfew is strictly enforced every night during village prayer time.

Migration to other countries does not cool their fervour either. In Australia, America and New Zealand especially, many Samoans have built their own churches where they can worship and fellowship together. During Prayer Week, these ex-patriate Samoans are also offering thanks for their home islands and their families; follow by the patriotic singing of the 'Lota Nuu' hymn.



"LOTA NU'U UA OU FANAU AI" By I'iga Kuresa Tafunai

Edited by Vavae Toma (1915) & Ueta M. P. Solomona (1935)

Verse One:
Lota nu'u ua ou fanau ai, Ua lelei oe I le vasa e,
Ua e maua mai luga, O le tofi aoga!

Chorus:
Samoana (Samoana) ala mai (ala mai).

Fai ai nei (fai ai nei) le fa'afetai (le fa'afetai).

I le pule ia maua ai, O lou nuu i le vasa.

Verse Two:

E! ua lalelei Samoa, Lona valevalenoa,

Ia moomia ai ou fanua, Tama Samoa ala mai.

Verse Three:

Ua e sui lou tautai, Lou mamalu ia maua ai,

Tuputupu pea mai, Talu nuu ua feagai

Verse Four:

Nu'u mamao ua e maua ai, Mea lelei e atiae,

Lou mamalu ia matu, Mataupu tau Iesu

Verse Five:

Ia fai oe ma nu'u tumau, Olaola lau fanau,

Ia viia e fa'avavau, Le ua pule aoao.

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