American Samoan archaeologist Epifania Suafo’a Taua’i, a former lecturer at the National University of Samoa returned to NUS to present at the 4th Samoa Conference exploring and revisiting Samoan land tenureship in both Samoas.
Suafo’a Taua’i spoke inspiringly about the three types of land tenures as espoused by another Samoan academic Dr Line Kruse.
The former lecturer who finished her term at NUS last year and is now with the American Samoa Historic Preservation Office also expanded on ownership, occupation and habitation on land in Samoa.
In her presentation at the annual conference she gave a clear and succint historical background and set the timeline on land tenureship in Samoa.
She also pointed out the diffrences in ownership of land in the two Samoas and explained what caused the move away from the traditional ownership due mainly to influences of outside forces and influences of America, Britain and Germany.
Suafo’a Taua’i’s presentation was well received by the conference and she acknowledged the assistance of the American Samoa Government as well as friends and colleagues in enabling her to make her presentation at the prestigious conference.
