Some More Samoa - Tuiga

This SILENT film clip shows a young Samoan woman having help to assemble and put on a tuiga (ceremonial headdress). In the past tuiga were worn by chiefs during war, overtime these became a status symbol worn during various ceremonies by a chief’s manaia (son) or taupou (daughter).

This clip shows how complicated traditional tuiga are, contemporary versions are simplified and assembled in one piece from various urban materials and can be worn by anyone as an expression of Samoan heritage.

(Nitrate film deterioration is evident at the end of this clip.) Katharine Hilliker (1885-1965) was the title writer for this silent film.

For more information on Katharine Hilliker see Women's Pioneers Film Project https://wfpp.cdrs.columbia.edu/pionee....