Summary:
Daily life for the Samoans has changed in many ways from the traditional pre-Christian period. The style of dress has been affected by the introduction of cotton and crocheting techniques.Sewing machines and scissors have found their way into common use. Although the Samoans make use of these innovations, they are not dependent upon them.
Christian religions have become common.While there is generally a policy of non-invasiveness by the Western cultures, the affects of their laws has modified the previous status where the head of household held power of life and death over those under his house. Prohibitions in blood revenge have given the population greater personal freedom.
Discussion:
With the arrival of another culture often comes a modification to an indigenous one. Sometimes this is because of the imposition of the invading culture's will. Other times it because the indigenous culture finds something of value in the other culture and wishes to integrate those things into their own culture. It seems there have been instances of both of those in the case of the Samoans. From the cultural biases of this particular Westerner, it seems to me that much of it was to their benefit.
For example, the mosquito nets likely have made daily life much nicer. We all know how nice cotton clothing can be. The fact that laws designed to keep people from harm are in effect for them would seem to be a benefit as it would give a larger sense of trust in the society at large.
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