Samoa Fa'amatai System

The Samoa Fa'amatai system is a traditional social structure that organizes Samoan communities through matai, or chiefs, who hold authority over extended family (aiga) groups. It regulates land ownership, social roles, and decision-making, ensuring local governance and cultural continuity. Matai are elected based on family consensus, and their authority is recognized both socially and legally. This system integrates customary practices with modern legal frameworks, maintaining social harmony, land rights, and cultural identity while facilitating community participation and dispute resolution within Samoan society.