The Coconut

Samoans can use coconut leaves to weave baskets for carrying the agricultural products.

Photo: Peacefoo@adobe.

 

Samoans husk coconuts for many uses.

Photo: MollyNZ@adobe

The Most Useful Plant in Samoa

In Samoa, the coconut tree is revered for its versatility and essential role in daily life. Known as the "tree of life," the coconut provides a wide range of products that are integral to Samoan cuisine, craft, and even traditional medicine. Nearly every part of the coconut tree is used, except for its roots, making it the most valuable plant in Samoa. This section explores the many ways in which the coconut sustains the Samoan way of life, both historically and today.

Coconut in Samoan Cuisine

The coconut is a staple of Samoan cuisine, and its fruit is used in a variety of ways:

• Meat of the Green Coconut: The fresh meat of the green coconut is eaten raw or grated, serving as a basic ingredient in many Samoan dishes. It adds flavor and texture to both savory and sweet recipes, including palusamiand fa’alifu taro.

• Coconut Cream: When grated coconut meat is compressed using a strainer, it produces a rich, whitish liquid known as coconut cream. This cream is a vital ingredient in many traditional Samoan dishes, adding a distinct flavor to meals such as soups, curries, and desserts.

• Coconut Water: The clear water found inside young coconuts is a refreshing drink, prized for its hydrating properties. Coconuts are often carried on bonito fishing expeditions, serving as both a food and water source for the fishermen.

 

Samoan workers fasten beam structures of the fale.

NPS photo

Crafts and Tools Made from Coconut Parts

The coconut tree provides essential materials for crafting a variety of tools, utensils, and household items. Each part of the coconut is repurposed, showing the ingenuity of Samoan craftsmanship:

• Coconut Shells: The shells of mature coconuts are hollowed out and used to make eating utensils, scoops, and containers for liquids. Coconut shells also serve as holders for dyes, fishing lines, and other small items, emphasizing their practical role in daily life.

• Coconut Leaves: Leaves from the coconut tree are woven into a wide array of functional items. These include baskets, food trays, fans, hats, floor mats, sandals, toys, and units of thatch for traditional Samoan homes. The leaves are highly durable and flexible, making them ideal for these everyday uses.

• Sennit (Coconut Husk Fibers): The fibers from the coconut's outer husk are twisted into a strong, durable cord known as sennit. Sennit plays a critical role in traditional Samoan architecture, as it is used to lash together components of houses and outrigger canoes. Its durability is especially important for canoe construction, as saltwater does not weaken the sennit.

• Burning and Straining: The husk of the coconut can be burned as fuel, providing a source of heat, while the fibers can be separated and used as a strainer for liquids such as kava, a traditional Samoan drink.

Wood and Other Uses of the Coconut Tree

Beyond its food and crafting potential, the coconut tree also provides strong, versatile wood that is used in Samoan construction and recreation:

• Coconut Wood: The wood from the coconut tree is used in the construction of houses and tools. It is strong and heavy, making it suitable for creating headrests, rollers for canoes, cricket bats, and fuel for cooking fires.

• Versatile Applications: Coconut wood is not only practical but also valued for its natural strength, providing important building materials for traditional Samoan homes and canoes.

 

Patterns added upon weaving support elements of the fale.

Coconut Oil (Lolo) in Samoan Life

The oil extracted from mature coconut kernels, known as lolo, has a variety of cosmetic and medicinal uses in Samoa. Lolo is produced by compressing coconut kernels in a strainer woven from hibiscus bark. The resulting oil is an integral part of Samoan grooming and healthcare:

• Cosmetic Uses: Samoans use lolo to groom hair and oil the skin, particularly during ceremonial occasions. The oil is often scented with fragrant blossoms, transforming it into a perfume or cologne. It is also used by swimmers to oil their bodies for warmth when swimming in cold waters.

• Medicinal Purposes: Lolo is applied to cuts, sores, and other minor wounds as a natural dressing. Its soothing properties make it a valuable part of traditional Samoan healthcare.

The Cultural Significance of the Coconut

For Samoans, the coconut is more than just a source of food or materials—it holds deep cultural significance. The tree symbolizes life, resilience, and sustenance, representing the close connection between the Samoan people and their environment. The coconut is present in every aspect of life, from daily meals and traditional crafts to ceremonial practices and medicine.

Through its many uses, the coconut continues to play a central role in the fa’a Samoa, the Samoan way of life. Its versatility and value reflect the resourcefulness of the Samoan people and their deep respect for the natural world.