5 Best Souvenirs & Gifts From American Samoa

A traditional craft from the Samoan Islands, siapo, also known as tapa, is a canvas made from the flattened bark of a mulberry tree.

These canvases are then painted with an array of island-inspired patterns and designs, typically using a hand-carved stencil and naturally derived paints, which is why you’ll only ever see black, brown and red colours used.

Admittedly, most of the siapo paintings we've seen have come from families just across the pond in Independent Samoa. Nevertheless, they are pieces that are distinctively Samoan and still well worth admiring in American Samoa.

Where to buy: Fagatogo Market (Fagatogo), J-len Ts (Nu'uuli) and more.

Intricately woven baskets, bags, fans, fine mats, earrings and more; it’s amazing the array of crafts Samoan women can weave using the fine fibres of the pandanus tree.

There is a wealth of unique designs popping up in all sorts of hues and patterns.

Where to buy: Tropical Traders (Nu'uuli), J-len Ts (Nu'uuli), Turtle & Shark Cafe (Tafuna), Fagatogo Market (Fagatogo), South Pacific Duty Free (Pago Pago Airport) and more.

A traditional art form in American Samoa, wooden and bone carvings are highly prized souvenirs.

You’ll find a wide variety of traditional carvings of ‘ava bowls, hook pendants and weapons, but you can also find all sorts of practical items for modern-day uses, such as placemats and cutting boards.

Designs are usually inspired by the myths and legends of American Samoa’s ancestors, as well as drawing inspiration from the natural world of the South Pacific.

Locally carved goods can be found at Tropical Traders in Nu'uuli.

Where to buy: Tropical Traders (Nu'uuli), Fagatogo Market (Fagatogo), J-len Ts (Nu'uuli), Turtle & Shark Cafe (Tafuna) and more.

Discover the artistry of Samoan jewellery, where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary design in stunning pieces that tell the story of island culture.

From intricately carved coconut shells, representing the tree of life so integral to Samoan heritage, to delicate shell work and laser-cut designs featuring authentic Samoan motifs, these accessories capture the essence of Pacific island living. While many pieces available throughout American Samoa are imported, discerning shoppers will find genuine locally crafted treasures at Tropical Traders, for instance, that showcase the skill of island artisans.

Where to buy: Tropical Traders (Nu'uuli), J-len Ts (Nu'uuli), Tiola Shop (Fagatogo), Athena's Boutique (Nu'uuli), Fagatogo Market (Fagatogo) and more.

Inject a bit of “island time” into your life with the vibrant designs of American Samoa’s elei-designed apparel.

Elei is Samoan fabric that has been decorated using a traditional method of carving patterns onto wooden blocks or stencils, inking them with paint, and then printing the designs onto the fabric. This technique, called Elei printing, is rooted in the decoration of Samoan siapo (tapa) cloth but was adapted to European cloth fabrics.

In American Samoa, there’s an abundance of shirts and dresses, again, usually hand-block printed with tropical designs that can’t help but put a smile on your face. While a lot of the material is imported, there are many stores across Tutuila that have an in-house team of seamstresses that can tailor clothes to fit perfectly.

If you’re not flamboyant enough to wear these designs, don’t worry, you can take a piece of American Samoa home in more conservative forms, like kitchen towels, purses, bedspreads and more.

For a chance to craft your own elei-printed lavalava or bedspread, take part in block-printing workshops at Maliu Mai Beach Resort - find out more in the 10 Best Cultural Activities in American Samoa LINK#TTD002.

Where to buy: J-len Ts (Nu'uuli), Tiola Shop (Fagatogo), Athena's Boutique (Nu'uuli), Tropical Traders (Nu'uuli), Tafuna Mini Mart (Tafuna), Fagatogo Market (Fagatogo), Tanoa (Forsgren’s, Nu'uuli) and more.