Why is Samoa sometimes called the Cradle of Polynesia?

Samoa is referred to as the "Cradle of Polynesia" because, according to legend, the island of Savai‘i is considered Hawaiki, the ancestral homeland of the Polynesian people.12

Beyond this legendary status, Samoa holds a central position in the history of the region. Following the arrival of settlers around 1000 BCE, the islands became a focal point for the expansion and settlement of eastern Polynesia. Samoan culture, including its distinct styles of music, dance, and art, remains deeply influential throughout the Pacific and the wider world.321