What religious beliefs did Samoans practice before Christianity arrived?

Before the arrival of Christianity in the 19th century, Samoans practiced a pantheistic religion. This traditional belief system did not feature a dominant priestly class; instead, family elders were responsible for performing most religious rituals.1

Central to their mythology was Tagaloa, who is recognized as the creator of the universe. The traditional belief system also included the concept of aitu, which refers to spirits or demons. These beliefs were deeply intertwined with the concept of mana—an all-pervasive energy believed to be derived from the old gods.234

When Christian missionaries arrived, they sought to replace these traditional supernatural sanctions with biblical teachings. While many Samoans adopted Christianity, traditional beliefs persisted for some time, leading to the emergence of heretical movements that resisted the new religious order and the authority of chiefs who had converted.4