Lotu a Tamaiti Holiday in Samoa in 2020

When is Lotu a Tamaiti?

Lotu a Tamaiti, also known as White Monday, is a public holiday in Samoa on the Monday after the second Sunday in October.

History of Lotu a Tamaiti Holiday

The Samoan islands in the South Pacific ocean are split into two countries, Samoa and American Samoa. In terms of distance, they are not so far apart, but in time they are 24 hours different as the international date line slices its way between the two. 

The two nations also share many traditions and customs. White Sunday is a good example of this. White Sunday was brought to the islands by Christian missionaries in the 19th century and has become a special day on the second Sunday of October, when children are treated, from getting new outfits to being allowed their favourite foods. 

In some parts of Europe, Pentecost Sunday is called Whit Sunday. That gets its name from the white garments worn by people getting baptised on this day. In Samoa, women and children often wear white, but it's unclear if the holiday is named after this custom, or if people started wearing white after the name of the festival.

A tradition in Samoa is that some holidays that always fall on a Sunday are observed as holidays on the following Monday. This is the case for Mother's Day, Father's Day and White Sunday. In the Samoan language, Lotu Tamaiti literally means "Children's Service".

White Sunday is a public holiday in American Samoa, and in a quirk caused by the international date line, Lotu a Tamaiti in Samoa happens at the time as White Sunday in American Samoa!

Dates of Lotu a Tamaiti Holiday in Samoa
2022 Mon, Oct 10 National Holiday 2021 Mon, Oct 11 National Holiday 2020 Mon, Oct 12 National Holiday 2019 Mon, Oct 14 National Holiday 2018 Mon, Oct 15 National Holiday