If you come to Samoa, you will encounter the Matai System, a very important part of the Fa'aSamoa (The Samoan Way).

Every Samoan belongs to a an 'aiga, an extended family composed of brothers, sisters, parents, cousins, uncles, aunts, great-grandmothers, third cousins, and adopted children. The family is headed by a matai (chief) who, in traditional Samoan customs, controls the family's land and money and who is responsible for everything and everyone in the family. The matai may be an ali'i (high chief) or a tulafale (orator). Each has a different position in Samoan society. The matai is chosen by the family and is its leader. Occasionally a woman is made matai, but usually matai's are men. Anything that happens in the family happens at the wish of the matai; anything that goes against his wish simply doesn't happen.

The family is a very stable unit and very strong ties exist between all members of the family. Despite living in New Zealand or the USA, their loyalties and commitment to their families through financial support and for whatever fa'alavelave's, is made possible by their comparatively well-paid jobs overseas. Family members living away from the family have more freedom than members living in the household, but their first concern is always the 'aiga. The hierarchical structure of the Matai System is reflected throughout Samoan culture.

Everyone under matai authority is expected to conform to the system, which also requires members to keep their opinions to themselves. These aspects of the Samoan culture is difficult for volunteers to comprehend and accept, as independence and individualism are valued in the USA. Even though volunteers have much more freedom than Samoans, you will be judged by how well you can adapt to fit the patterns of respect and obedience to a supervisor, or a department head who is a matai. It had been very frustrating for some volunteers to accept the reluctance of many Samoans to show individual initiative. Every new program or project must be presented first to a department head or supervisor, who is a matai for approval before it is to be implemented.