Ancient structures in the district of Palauli Savai’i which some researchers claim to be the cradle of Polynesian civilization will soon be turned into a tourist attraction. 

The Palauli Heritage project, which hopes to consolidate all the historical sites in the sub-villages of Palauli and to develop them, will be officially launched next week. 

In collaboration with the National University of Samoa, the university has been providing academic support by bringing in archaeologists and researchers to unearth the ancient sites. 

The Associate Minister of the Ministry of Public Enterprises and M.P. for Palauli Sasae, Tuifa’asisina Misa Risati, said the project is the first of its kind where villagers will work with N.U.S. on creating narratives for the historical sites. 

Tuifa’asisina said the issue with the ancient structures scattered across the sub-villages is that not many people understand their stories and existence.

The historical sites include the star mounds in Vaito’omuli and small pyramids that some believe was the burial place of one of the ancient warriors, Lilomaiava.

“The majority of these ancient sites have no narrative and story and it’s just being left like that,” Tuifa’asisina told the Samoa Observer during an interview.

“Archaeologist believe that this is where Polynesians journey started before they depart to various areas and these historical sites define who we are. 

“Although some sites are on some family lands but I feel that these ancient sites is our history and we all take ownership of it.”   

The M.P. for Palauli Sasae hopes the project will open up doors for employment.

He pointed out the sites has its educational element that is crucial for all Samoans in terms of learning about its unwritten history before the missionaries came to Samoa. 

“We study other countries and their history yet we don’t even understand and know our own,” he said. 

“That is the most important part of this is the need for more research on our historical sites in order for us to understand it well.” 

Tuifa’asisina said the Palauli Heritage project will be governed by a Trust consisting of village members including women representatives to manage it. 

He added the project is hopeful to have other sub-villages of the district follow suit and have their historical sites be part of the development.

He said the constituency supports the idea of developing the historical sites and is a gateway to the tourism industry on the island. 

According to Tuifa’asisina the ancient sites has attracted a lot of interest from tourists from Europe and America who often ask villagers about the structures. 

He said it is unfortunate that the grass has outgrown the road to the sites and it has prompted the Government to step into construct access roads to the areas. 

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi had recently spoke about the ancient sites in parliament earlier this month. 

Tuilaepa told parliament the Pulemelei mound in Palauli district is another historic site which draws attention as its story is unique and related only to Samoa. 

He said the paramount intention is to improve tourist attractions with hope for them to stay longer than a day as tourism is one of the major contributors towards the country’s economy.

Tuilaepa then urged villagers to beautify, maintain and promote the different tourist sites in their villages rather than waiting on the side to charge the tourists who are contributing to the economy. 

He also encouraged the community to give tourists a Samoan experience.