Manu'a Cession Day Celebrations

Aso o le Tuuina atu o Manu'a

View on map
Religious & SpiritualTa'u/Manu'a
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageThe holiday commemorates a distinct
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Manu'a Cession Day Celebrations in Ta'u/Manu'a

A July 16 public holiday commemorating the 1904 Deed of Succession, when Tui Manu'a Elisara ceded the remote Manu'a Islands to the United States, four years after and separately from Tutuila's 1900 Flag Day cession. Observances center on the Manu'a group itself, combining a church service, parade and several days of cultural programming.

Four years after Tutuila's chiefs signed their Deed of Cession in 1900, the High Chiefs of the separate Manu'a island group had still not agreed to join American Samoa, holding out on their own sovereignty even as the rest of the territory came under U.S.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The holiday commemorates a distinct historical act, a separate king's separate 1904 cession, rather than being a satellite event of the better-known 1900 Tutuila cession marked by Flag Day, and it is observed specifically on the remote Manu'a Islands rather than the more accessible Tutuila mainland

02

The mystery stays covered

Because the 1904 cession involved negotiation with a distinct traditional ruler rather than a group of district chiefs, the holiday also preserves a specific piece of Manu'a's own political history that the Tutuila-centered Flag Day narrative does not directly cover

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Observances open with a church service before proceeding to a parade and cultural activities

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a structure established at the first official celebration in 1983

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Modest attire is expected for the church service component; light tropical clothing and sun protection suit the outdoor parade and cultural activities that follow.

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map14.28 S, 170.70 WOpen in Google Maps

Ta'u/Manu'a, Manu'a Islands, American Samoa

Nearest airportPPG — Pago Pago
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Ta'u/Manu'a via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Ta'u/Manu'a, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearModest attire is expected for the church service component; light tropical clothing and sun protection suit the outdoor parade and cultural activities that follow.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for American Samoa and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Manu'a Cession Day Celebrations?

Manu'a Cession Day Celebrations is listed for Past edition: 16 July 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Manu'a Cession Day Celebrations take place?

The festival is listed in Ta'u/Manu'a, American Samoa. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Ta'u/Manu'a, Manu'a Islands, American Samoa

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLsamoanews.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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