Can you believe it? In this modern society of vigilance and privacy, is there a place where people sleep at night with the door wide open and there are few secrets between men and women?
It may sound like a fantasy, but in fact, somewhere in the South Pacific, there is such a "transparent" country.
When night falls, you'll see an incredible sight of houses open and people sleeping peacefully without worrying about safety.
What's even more surprising is that the residents here dress extremely casually, with little to no privacy between men and women.
What kind of place is this? Why would they choose this seemingly "primitive" way of life?
On a summer day in the coconut breeze, the grass skirt is fluttering
In the middle of the South Pacific Ocean lies an archipelago known as Samoa, where the seasons are summer, the coconut wind is blowing, and the blue sky is full of endless beaches and lush tropical vegetation.
Walking along the beaches of Samoa, a paradise blessed by nature is home to a group of Samoans with unique cultural traditions, and you'll soon notice the unique attire of the locals.
Most of the men are topless and wear a brightly colored grass skirt that shines in the sun, while the women wear loose tops and flowing grass skirts.
The Samoan grass skirt, known as "Rawalawa", is made from the bark of the local mulberry tree, which is abundant in the area, and the production process is tedious and delicate, requiring the bark to be soaked, beaten, dried, and finally woven into shape.
Each straw skirt is the culmination of the ingenuity and sweat of the craftsmen, and a living fossil of Samoan culture, and on special occasions you can also see even more ornate 'I'a' gowns, embellished with shells, feathers and other decorations that glisten in the sun.
However, the real eye-catchers are the tattoos on Samoan men, intricate and elaborate patterns that stretch from the waist to the knees, each with its own special meaning, representing family history or symbolizing personal achievement.
Tattooing is not only a decoration, but also a status symbol and a ritual of life, and the process of completing a full-body tattoo often takes weeks or even months, during which time it endures great pain, and is seen as a testament to the courage and perseverance of an adult man.
This unique culture of dressing has also attracted attention on the international stage, and the appearance of the Samoan delegation at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics has amazed the world.
On a cold winter day, Samoan athletes walked topless and dressed in traditional costumes with their heads held high among the delegations, a sight that not only showed the pride of Samoans in their traditional culture, but also showed the world the unique national charm of this small country.
In Samoa, clothing is not only a tool to cover the body, but also a way of life, in this perennially warm and humid island country, light clothing is more suitable for the local climate conditions, and at the same time, this open dress also reflects the open and welcoming character of Samoans.
With the deepening of globalization, Samoa's traditional clothing culture is also facing challenges, as more and more young people are beginning to accept the Western way of dressing, and modern clothing such as T-shirts and jeans are gradually appearing on the streets.
Walking through the streets of Samoa, you will find people living between two worlds, with traditional grass skirts and tattoos on one side and modern t-shirts and jeans on the other.
This interweaving gives Samoa a unique cultural landscape and raises new questions for the country's future development.
In this tropical paradise with a light coconut breeze and fluttering grass skirts, Samoans interpret the meaning of life in their unique way, and their clothing culture is not only a way of wearing, but also a manifestation of an attitude towards life.
A home without walls, a heart with a thousand miles
Walking through Samoa's villages, you'll find a unique architectural landscape with houses, known locally as 'faré', that don't have the walls we're used to, and don't have locked doors and windows.
Instead of a thatched roof supported by rows of wooden pillars, it is open on all sides to blend in with the surrounding natural environment, an open architectural structure that is not only the result of the wisdom of Samoans for generations, but also the epitome of their unique way of life.
The construction of Farley was a collective effort that exemplifies the solidarity of the Samoans, with villagers working together to cut down suitable trees, weave thatch, and hold the wooden pillars firmly on the ground.
Throughout the process, experienced elders mentor the youngsters and pass on the building skills passed down from their ancestors, which is not only a house construction, but also a demonstration of cultural heritage and community cohesion.
Adapted to Samoa's climate, the high thatched roof not only shelters from the scorching sun, but also provides effective drainage during the rainy season, a seemingly simple way of building that is a form of survival wisdom that Samoans have accumulated over generations.
When the rainy season comes, the villagers will lower the pre-prepared straw curtains and hang them around the house. Not only do these drapes keep out the rain, but they also provide a certain amount of privacy when needed.
Without the barrier of walls, the interaction between neighbors becomes more frequent and natural, and people can easily see each other's lives, greet each other, and share their daily routines, this transparent lifestyle cultivates trust and intimacy among the villagers, forming a close-knit community network.
Living in Farley may seem like a challenge, however, Samoans have developed a unique set of social rules through silent chemistry and mutual respect.
In the center of the village, there is usually a larger faré, which is used as a place for public meetings and important ceremonies, where the villagers discuss public affairs, resolve disputes, and hold ceremonies.
The open structure ensures that everyone can participate, reflecting the spirit of equality and inclusion in Samoan society.
However, local young people are choosing to build modern houses with walls, doors and windows, and they want more privacy and security, as well as more conveniences of modern life.
In order to meet the needs of tourists, some resorts have started offering accommodation options that blend traditional Farley style with modern amenities that retain the exterior features of Farley but are equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning and toilets inside.
This innovative attempt not only retains Samoa's cultural characteristics, but also meets the needs of modern people's lives, and has become an example of the integration of tradition and modernity.
The night is not closed, and the road is not forgotten
In Samoa, there is an amazing social phenomenon in which people sleep peacefully at night without closing their doors, and the streets are littered with the occasional item that is rarely embezzled.
This almost idealized state of society seems to take people back to the "peach blossom paradise" written by ancient poets, however, this is not a fictional utopia, but a true portrayal of the daily life of Samoans.
Relative economic equality is also an important factor in the stability of Samoa's society, and the standard of living of the majority of the population in a country dominated by agriculture and fishing is not much different.
Land is often owned collectively by villages, and every family has access to the resources they need to survive, an economic structure that reduces the gap between rich and poor and reduces the likelihood of poverty leading to crime.
In addition, religion in Samoa also plays an important role in maintaining social order, the vast majority of Samoans are devout Christians, and the church plays an important role in community life.
Religious teachings emphasize honesty, kindness, and mutual aid, values that are deeply rooted in the daily lives of Samoans and serve as a moral force to curb crime.
To accommodate the growing demand for tourism, some resorts are starting to offer "normal" rooms with walls and door locks.
While this practice satisfies the needs of tourists, it is also somewhat at odds with Samoa's traditional way of life.
Despite the enviable state of social security in Samoa, the island nation inevitably faces new challenges as globalization deepens.
The popularity of the internet has brought Samoans more exposure to the outside world, new ideas and ways of life are constantly coming in, and some young people are beginning to pursue more personal space and privacy, which is in conflict with the traditional open-door lifestyle.
At the same time, the development of tourism has also had an impact on Samoa's social structure, with an increasing influx of tourists, bringing economic opportunities and increasing the complexity of social management.
Deep in the coconut grove, the world is still the same
In the blue waters of the South Pacific, the Samoan Islands are scattered like a string of emerald pearls on the sea, where coconut groves, white sand, blue sky and sea complement each other, forming a mesmerizing tropical scenery.
Here, time seems to slow and long, and the pace of life of the villagers is highly harmonious with the natural environment, and they depend on the resources provided by the sea and the land to survive, with little dependence on modern society.
Each family has their own small plot of land to grow crops such as coconut, banana and taro, and this self-sufficient lifestyle has made Samoans extremely resilient in the face of global economic fluctuations.
However, the wave of modernization has also brought challenges to this traditional way of life, and the popularity of plastic products is threatening the survival space of traditional handicrafts.
Convenient modern communication devices have changed the way people communicate, and traditional face-to-face communication is decreasing.
In the midst of this change, the Samoan government and civil society organizations are trying to find a balance between the preservation of traditional culture and the moderate introduction of modern elements to improve the quality of life.
Can this traditional life continue in the face of the challenges posed by globalization and climate change, and how will Samoans find a balance between preserving their cultural traditions and adapting to modern society?
Resources: