The English word 'tattoo' comes from the Samoan word 'tatau' — a sacred body art tradition over 2,000 years old. This 50-question quiz explores everything from the pe'a and malu tattoo traditions to fa'a Samoa culture, the Manu Samoa rugby team, Robert Louis Stevenson's beloved Vailima estate, and the day Samoa skipped entirely when it crossed the International Date Line in 2011.
Each round presents 10 randomized multiple-choice questions drawn from a pool of 50, so every playthrough is different. You get instant feedback with explanations after each answer, plus a shareable score at the end.
Questions cover Samoa's two main islands Upolu and Savai'i, the matai chiefly system, the To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa's path to becoming the first Polynesian nation to gain independence, the Sunday to'ona'i feast tradition, the massive Samoan diaspora, and the country's deep Christian faith.
The English word 'tattoo' derives from the Samoan word 'tatau,' referring to the traditional Polynesian practice of body art. European explorers encountered this tradition in the Pacific and adopted the term. The Samoan tatau tradition is over 2,000 years old and remains a living cultural practice today.
Fa'a Samoa means 'the Samoan way' and refers to the traditional social structure and cultural values that govern Samoan life. It encompasses the matai (chief) system, the aiga (extended family), communal living, respect for elders, and obligations to family and village. It remains one of the strongest traditional cultures in the Pacific.
On December 29, 2011, Samoa crossed the International Date Line by skipping December 30 entirely, moving from the east side to the west side. This was done to align Samoa's business week with its major trading partners, Australia and New Zealand, which were previously a full day ahead.
Last updated: April 2026