Ethnomusicology is an extension of Anthropology that studies and examines the cultural aspects of music. It is able to relate society to its culture, as well as identifying the significance and situations of the time. This can include studying how the music of a culture has evolved or changed under the influence of tradition, era, location, events in history, religion, and other cultures. Since music in Samoa is used to tell about significant events from the past, it is simple to realize that this can be considered a form of literature that can be interpreted as a way to become familiar with Samoan culture. Ethnomusicology is one of the many ways to evaluate how people interact with each other and their environment to create a musical culture …show more content…
Musicians and artists in Samoa have added electronic instruments and rhythms to their compositions, which was introduced to them through western cultures. However, a guitar or a ukulele still serve as the main instruments in most pieces of Samoan music, while the introduction of a song is often played by a Pate. A Pate is a hollowed out log that is beaten with two wooden sticks that resemble wooden pestles (A picture of the Pate is shown in the page above). Traditionally, Samoan music relates mostly to family, God, and cultural history. Now, as western cultures make larger impacts on the South Pacific Islands, music genres such as rap and hip-hop are becoming a part of Samoan culture. In the Samoan culture, music and dance are often grouped together and utilized to produce stories, reenact historical events, and are performed for religious and nonreligious ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and Samoan Independence day. Storytelling (also known as fagogo) through dance and is a very popular pastime and tradition for the Samoan people to pass on to the younger generations. With the rapid culturization of Samoa, many Samoans are realizing that it is important to preserve their musical traditions and language. Thus, many songs are still performed in the Samoan