When one visits
another country, more often than not they will look to take home a memento or
souvenir to remember the trip. A
journey to Samoa is no different.
There are many different items available around Samoa that would look
impressive on the mantelpiece or hung up on the wall. From hand-carved wooden statues to beautiful jewellery,
there is obviously no lack of craftsmanship in the Polynesian country. A popular choice, however, is to take
home a weapon! Not a real weapon
(this wouldn’t go down to well with customs) but rather a wooden carving of the
original stone made weapons. They
are also often decorated with patterns and images reflective of the Pacific
Island culture. 
It is interesting that
many people (including myself) opt to take home these replicas when there are
many other beautiful choices on offer.
Perhaps it is just for the ornate carvings on them, or maybe we have
some sort of primal attraction toward these primitive weapons. Nevertheless, they serve as a reminder to
the beauty and tradition of the Polynesian country, and of the rich history
that is still evident in the country today.
While these carvings
are obviously not (really) functional, they are mostly quite accurate in
depicting the weapons that Samoans used to use in battle. Well before the invention of gunpowder,
these stone weapons were used and were pivotal in Samoan warfare. To a nation that is steeped in rich tradition
and culture, these are reminders of their heritage, small tokens of respect to
the ancestors who have gone, and fought before them.
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