SAMOA, tattooing in APIA: Here are some very rare views of a man getting a tattoo in Apia, the capital of Samoa. In-between the video clips I will be giving you some of the fs surrounding this ancient cultural Samoan ritual. Vic Stefanu, [email protected]. The Independent State of Samoa, commonly known as Samoa and formerly known as Western Samoa, is a Unitary Parliamentary Republic with eleven administrative divisions. The two main islands are Savaii and Upolu with four smaller islands surrounding the landmasses. The capital city is Apia.