For more than three decades, Aunty Kiki Sotoa Solia has dedicated her life to Taupou Samoa, sharing the culture of Polynesia and ensuring that longstanding traditions are carried on.

For more than three decades, Aunty Kiki Sotoa Solia has dedicated her life to Taupou Samoa, sharing the culture of Polynesia and ensuring that longstanding traditions are carried on for future ...

Cheyenne Solia led the Taupou Samoa dancers, as she has done for years. “I have been doing it ever since I could walk,” Solia, a part-time dental assistant, said. “I’m always drawn back.” ...

The group Taupou Samoa was created in 1990 by Solia's mother, Kiki Sotoa Solia here in San Diego. The group's mission is to enrich the knowledge and songs, dances, and cultures of Polynesia with a ...

Their differing portrayals reflected their perspectives. And the significance of the taupou, the ceremonial virgin, is not straightforward. As Shankman told the BBC: “The taupou system applied to the ...

Last year’s Heritage Day festival had over 600 attendees. “The Samoan people are strong in their faith, so when migrating to the U.S. it was natural to fellowship with each other,” Noa said.

And the significance of the taupou, the ceremonial virgin, is not straightforward. As Shankman told the BBC: “The taupou system applied to the very upper tiers of Samoan society. It did not apply to ...

Circling the sturdy redwood’s trunk are writhing ancestral figures — slave, virginal taupou and high chief — and carved at canopy height are the words SAMOA MUAMUA LEATUA, God first in Samoa.

A taupou is a type of ceremonial hostess in Samoan culture. An event Thursday, May 29, at Clark Planetarium will feature the Samoan “star compass” while a storytelling event is set for Friday ...