About White Sunday
This holiday is always observed on the second Sunday in October.
White Sunday is a day when youngsters are especially celebrated by their parents and their communities in Samoan congregations around the world. In nearby Samoa, the day after White Sunday is a public holiday called Lotu a Tamaiti Holiday.
Did you know?
As American Samoa and Samoa are on different sides of the International Dateline, they share similar names but are a day apart. This means White Sunday in American Samoa happens at the same time as White Monday (Lotu a Tamaiti) in Samoa!
In American Samoa, the second Monday in October is already a public holiday for Columbus Day.
The tradition of White Sunday was brought to the islands by Christian missionaries in the 19th century and has become a special holiday, when children are treated from getting new outfits to being allowed their favorite food during family toana'i (Sunday meal).
The majority of children are baptised in designated congregations throughout Samoa on White Sunday.
On White Sunday, Samoan women and children dress completely in white clothing. Some of them trim the clothes with the other two colours of the Samoan flag, red and blue. Men will wear white shirts with either white slacks or the traditional faitaga form of the lavalava. If lavalava is worn then it need not be white on this day.
Most Searched FAQs on White Sunday:
When is White Sunday celebrated?
White Sunday is annually celebrated on every second Sunday of October in Samoa.
Why is it called White Sunday?
While 'Pentecost' is more widely used in the UK, traditionally the church has referred to the celebration as 'Whitsun', or 'Whit Sunday'. It is believed that the name comes from Pentecost which was a day for baptisms where the participants would dress in white.
What is Lotu Tamaiti in Samoa?
Lotu-a-Tamaiti is a national holiday celebrated on the Monday after the second Sunday of October. It honours children and has been observed by Samoan Islanders since the 19th century.
