It's a way of life that that binds the community together with important activities that include traditional ceremonies, oratory, singing, dancing, the telling of legends, the drinking of kava and the practice of tattooing. It is not unusual for men and women alike to be heavily tattooed in traditional patterns with boar teeth needles dipped in soot-based ink. Tattoing is done from breast to knee, where it is not usually seen by the public. With the missionary heritage still strong, Samoans dress modestly. While young women may opt for western clothing, most women will have their shoulders covered and wear long loose dresses or knee-length pieces of material worn as wraparound skirts known as lavalava.
Men are usually more comfortable in lavalava at home, though trousers are common for work in town.
Church clothes are very formal. The special matai language, spoken only by selected people, is kept for oratory and ceremonial occasions and is considered an art. Samoan music tells the stories of Samoan history, of events past and present, real and legend. While traditional songs are accompanied with the beating of sticks on wood or bamboo or the beating of mats, modern songs are accompanied by the guitar. Samoa is perhaps best known for its dancing.