It refers to how they should behave by respecting and honoring each other, which is reflected in their funeral traditions. Thank you for your heart in wanting to share. Even as a baby, she showed an exceptional amount of determination. Whenever Id get angry or upset with him for whatever reason Id always wind up laughing because he could always make me see the funny side of it. When addressing a gathering of people, it is custom for the speaker to acknowledge all the other matai in the room, to greet each of them not just by title name, but with an acknowledgement of their village and recitation of how their village's titles fit together. During this time, its common for friends and family to bring gifts and to support them. These two. In 1830, representatives arrived from London Missionary Society (LMS). He showed me the value of questioning that which was placed before me as fact. florida octopus regulations. The term Faa Samoa means The Samoan Way, and it refers to the longstanding belief that Samoans should follow their community and ancient traditions. I had to ask her out several times before she agreed. Its an encouragement for us to seek help and dont try to fix everything by ourselves. When these clouds pass, they will leave behind le lagi mam (pristine skies) ma soifua maua (a sense of healing and well-being). Whether it was scoring a home run in a Little League baseball game or getting a bursary for a university, he delighted in our successes. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online For men, its appropriate to wear a wrap skirt, or a more modern white shirt and jacket. Sure, it isnt handwritten or painstakingly obtained through any hard work and experience or handed down through generational lines but it is extremely detailed with origins and even cultural insights. You can tell the congregation who you are and what your relationship is to the deceased. Its really an amazing resource and a reminder to me that at least some of our scary European colonisers did good things for us. This link will open in a new window. Establishing bonds with other people grants you a worldly happiness where your petty desires somehow pale into insignificance because of how the other person makes you feel. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me. form. Coconut oil is made from copra, which we get from drying coconut meat (in their shells) out in the sun. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I told you about my grandfathers api (notebook) full of alagaupu, 3. And not only that, she would have enough faith in us to believe that we would not transgress again. He may not have known it, but John fulfilled an important role in my life. Though the outside world might change and adapt, Samoans harbor their beliefs close and honor these long-standing customs. In the body of your funeral speech talk about the person and what they meant to you, bearing in mind the dos and donts listed above. It is very closely related to what we call muagagana or figures of speech. Its like saying we wish we could stay longer, but alas. But wherever she is, I know that shes looking down on me now with those gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful smile. Family and village structure Matai are titleholders. The only thing we know about the origin of this alagaupu is that it comes from a story in someones village lol. He was the mediator in our disputes as siblings and always took the high road, refusing to take sides. He shaped me into the man I am today. We just understood each other. The top two religions in Samoa according to the 2011 census are the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa with 31.8% and Roman Catholic with 19.4%. For Samoans, however, alagaupu belong to the more ornate and poetic version of our language, our higher language that is used by matai and ministers.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'anavasamoana_com-box-4','ezslot_4',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-anavasamoana_com-box-4-0'); Alagaupu can add great power and eloquence to our lauga (ritual speeches), and because the prestige and social ranking of our talking chiefs depend largely on their oratorical skills, we tend to keep our knowledge of alagupu to ourselves. Its necessary that you give the congregation an insight into the persons life as it related to your own. Eight Carefully Crafted Emails for Your Last Day at Work. Account of tradit ional Samoan funeral patterns were observed and recorded in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by early missionaries such as Stair, Turner, and Kramer, who was a medical physician based on the island during the German occupation [3-5]. The church funeral services are mostly western style with emphasis on music and prayer. 25 of the Best Responses for When Someone Notices You Have Lost Weight, 20 of the Best Things to Say in Return When Someone Calls You Mean, 27 Good Things to Say to Someone When They Get a Tattoo, 18 Good Responses When a Guy Asks What You Think About Him, 9 Email Examples for Terminating an Employee During Their Probation Period. Anything seemed possible with her attitude. Ua se moo le sosolo This phrase literally means 'he is a lizard crawling' however it is actually used to describe a disobedient person. This extensive process marks the formality of the situation with the acceptance of a new titleholder as well as a possible tulafale into the family and village. Its like, everybody comes out! We learned from him that, regardless of the task, it was not worth doing if you didnt want to do it properly. When death happens at home, the spirit stays with the family peacefully. It seems to be a lot of family everyday.. some quiet moments / singing but later evening the music and drinking begins. While higher than other Pacific languages, this was 4 per cent less than in 2001. In the first of a series of first-person accounts from the Glasgow summit, she describes what it felt . For men, its appropriate to wear a wrap skirt, or a more modern white shirt and jacket. CherryK here n still living in Samoa! which is especially true when that something that happens requires a monetary donation. The funeral service doesnt usually just involve close family and friends. The idea of a good and bad death is a common belief throughout the world. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. Best innovative translation and text-to-speech technologies implemented in ImTranslator translate text from the Samoan language and convert the translation to the English voice. you mean I may not be truthful?..hahaha.. Eulogies -- This is the most common funeral speech. What exactly happens during a Samoan funeral? With the passing of a loved one comes the responsibility of making arrangements for their funeral. Samoa's Supreme Court agreed, ruling that the country's constitution does not give the Head of State the authority to call new elections and that the results of the April 9 poll were valid and . Upolu and Savai'i, the other main island, account for 99 per cent of Samoa's 201,000 population. The overwhelming religion in Samoa is Christianity. I was going to look at twelve of those proverbs, consult with the Samoan cultural experts in my life then share with you what I had learned. Thanks to him, I developed analytical skills that I continue to use today. New Zealand-born Samoan playwright, David Mamea's Goodbye My Feleni, first staged on ANZAC Day three years ago, was a landmark in this process of recovery and recognition. alii; orators (tulafale). I was initially overjoyed at the discovery but then disheartened that it was only an excerpt as this is the most comprehensive publication I have seen to date on the subject of alagupu and muagagana but I found the other excerpts on the site. I dont know where to begin to tell you about the enormous gaping hole that Samanthas passing has left in my life. My life was better that I could have ever imagined, and fuller that I ever dreamed because of Stephens presence by my side. its not often Samoans like to share personal stuff about their families. I too am learning about how beautiful how culture is and the Matai oratory Language which Ive started taking up with PEC free Faatai bilingual classes and its just absolutely amazing Keep up the great work in sharing and spreading the love for our culture and esp our language so it can be pass down to the next generators lol Malo lava le ogosai. My father had an incredibly dry sense of humor. Your loss is so great. Muumuu are Hawaiian dresses, Samoans dont wear them. Cake values integrity and transparency. But, throughout it all, we were always there for each other, no matter what no matter how many times I needed a shoulder to cry on, Jennifer was there. 48. Nofo = to sit. He always made me laugh, even when all I wanted to do was cry. One of my favorite memories of David is the one-and-only time my mother asked him to water her indoor plants. The meanings Ive given these alagaupu here are based on how my uncle and his matai peers use these expressions in their own lauga, but language is pliable. Alagaupu is the Samoan word for proverbs - wise sayings or expressions about life. A funeral speech is difficult to deliver if youre feeling over-emotional. Agafili Shem Leo, and . Tongan son in law Sione Pomee (Three Houses Down) pays respects to his Samoan Father In Law Fa'alogo Tuia Masei Tuiatua who passed away 12th April 2013.Alway. Saturday 22 August 2020, Porirua EFKS ChurchFuneral ServiceBurialNanai Farewell Speech to LitiaReceptionFa'aaloalogaFaafetai a Nanai i le EkalesiaFa'afatai a. During the funeral, the chief and family members might say a few words. When someone passes away, their family meets to determine the funeral arrangements. This is how people pay respect. well each family had an god when you die you go to your god so they were thankful for it. Are you saying the main speech or one of several shorter speeches? Literally: The work (fishing trip) of Smea is not haphazard. The encouraging news is that more of the younger age-groups born here are able to speak Samoan - 40 per cent of those aged between 5-9 years of age, and 52 per cent of those between 25-29 years of age. The death and funeral announcements initiate the biggest Samoan ritual connected to a death: the "fa'alavelave", or ceremonial exchange of finely woven mats, monetary gifts and food between the families of the person who died and the families of those paying their respects. When these migrant members attend a funeral in their homeland, they will pay to get there and bring a good amount of money with them. Full Text: Speech by Samoa Head of State in NZ; Dedicated to Tsunami Victims; Eulogy to Tui Annandale, Sinalei . The thing is with death the Samoans didn't fear death as much as we do. as in, what a beautiful chapel we have built. Families would have to reorganise their day or week in order to rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations. Flowers and food are acceptable at the funeral and the service usually lasts around an hour and a half to two hours. Principles of the Samoan Culture Fa'a Samoa, the Samoan culture is based on the principles of love (alofa), mutual respect (faaaloalo); reciprocity (feosia'i), sharing (fetufaa'i), and mutual support (felagolagoma'i). It requires some forethought and planning. Samoa's Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali'ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II has flown to London to attend the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.He was accompanied by his Masiofo, Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano as well as the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet C.E.O. Your soul has moved on, and your family mourns this loss. And Im sure there were times he wished I wasnt his sister. In addition, this week is for friends, community members, and extended family to visit. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure. He was the only one who understood my hurt and confusion when our parents divorced. My uncle says that ao taulia, in this case, is referring to a dark time that is also momentous so its not just about sadness, but a profound kind of ground-shifting pain. Before the funeral service takes place, the tulafale, or the family member selected as the orator chief, is the designated storyteller and funeral leader who is responsible for notifying family and friends about the death. People give the family ceremonial gifts known as faalavelave. As far as I know, this prime minister still refuses to give up. Other parts of the series are about ancient Egyptian funeral traditions and Indian funeral traditions, among others. We laughed and cried together so many times. A collection of useful phrases in Samoan, a Polynesian language spoken mainly in Western Samoa and American Samoa Jump to phrases. Ive read and am in total awe of your Grandfathers eloquence.Thank you so much for sharing your Grandfathers wisdom.Love and Blessings. Basic Etiquette. Thank you! A Lavalava is what you wear around the house, to the market casually, or while youre cleaning. Lol. samoan funeral speech. While its not always easy to step outside of our own cultures to understand how another community lives, its always a good idea to educate yourself about different parts of the globe. .LOL. Literally: We dont farewell a moon-lit night. Thank you so much for your feedback! Apparently, like many other tulafale (talking chiefs), my grandfather used to recite these alagaupu over and over to himself as he went about his day, constructing and memorizing lauga in his head. is an important part of Samoan custom. Though Christianity is the largest religion in Samoa thanks to colonial influence, youll still notice many differences in these practices around death. Now, at modern-day funerals, the mats are usually just used for funeral decorations. She took her role as a mother seriously and did an amazing job of raising them to be the adults they are today. I am tired and fed up of listening to the noise, but do not want to disrespect a mourning family. Before the advancement of mortuary science there, the deceased was buried the day after death. His own priest who loves him like a son was stongly encouraging him to step down from office because the election is done and he lost. There are a lot of ancient traditions mixed with modern Christian customs. A funeral is an emotional occasion and delivering a speech, unprepared, in front of the congregation is a recipe for disaster = one that will not soon be forgiven. My mother raised me that mourning Lasts a year. At family gatherings, while theyre serving food first to the elders and high ranking matai, hes known for yelling out to the kitchen, Vaai se mea a Sameli!. O le lauga lenei: O le so'o ma fa'atasiga o nu'u se lua. Failing to do so is seen as a sign of great disrespect. Post author: Post published: January 19, 2023 Post category: suzanne charlton obituary Post comments: industrial sociology jobs in zimbabwe industrial sociology jobs in zimbabwe Hi Irene I dont know what your level of Samoan language understanding is, so just want to give you a heads up JJW has given you some great name ideas, but dont use his last 2 suggestions. This Samoan expression literally means 'like grass by the roadside'. One important custom in the Samoan culture is the demonstration method in teaching mathematics; graham wardle family; juneau airport webcam; paola gourley; christian laettner first wife; leaf home water solutions vs culligan; conventions in las vegas 2022. sona jobarteh husband; houston crime rate by race; what is chunking in mortgage; The importance of mats harkens back to when they served as the currency of the Samoan people. Something drew us to each other though. Burials are the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both burial and cremation. Losing my sister is so heartbreaking. I couldnt have asked for a better father for my children. When she saw how angry I was, she began to cry. Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. e toa E le loto doesnt make sense. Get Anava Samoana news and updates straight to your inbox. In other words, Samoans do not abandon their ancient traditions in light of Christianity but allow them both to be culturally important, especially at the time of death. Given that dialogue relating to death and grief for many Samoans remains in the realm of tapu (sacred) or s (protected), few attempts have been made by researchers of Samoan heritage to understand whether the cultural contexts for enacting associated rituals might also provide avenues for healing. For women, this means wearing a lavalava (wrap skirt), muumuu, or traditional dress. Alofa aku. This includes deciding who will be saying a funeral speech at the funeral service. Literally: Only to look (at you) can satisfy my soul. He did not march to the beat of societys drum. I apologize for the long question but would be so grateful for your help! But you must be able to get through the speech you have prepared. My mother was the heart of our home, the center of our universe, and the greatest example of unconditional love we couldve hoped to have. Your aim is not to deliver a stand-up comedy routine, but rather, a poignant and potentially somewhat humorous view of who the deceased was and what they meant to you. Your email address will not be published. . She had so much left to offer the world. Our children were the center of Samanthas world. This link will open in a new window. For a Samoan to be chosen as a respected tulafale, he or she participates in a special ceremony called a saofai, whichhappens only when the family discusses and comes to a consensus. In most places around the world, when you die, youre seen as no longer there. (The six Samoan islands east of the meridian are part of American Samoa.) Then, as we visit time past, other emotions are felt. Hi, Im Samoan and most of this is wrong. I argue that place as heritage/ . In this guide, well find out. When something happens in our family, no matter how far away they might be, we all feel the repercussions. For example, the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (from the LMS tradition) ministers to half of the population there. Samoa consists of four inhabited and a number of smaller, uninhabited islands. I walked into her office in error and there she was: the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Like during the pre-funeral rituals, they also may bring corn beef boxes, chicken boxes, and fine mats. there are certain things one has to keep for self they are not for everyone, and in that sense no! My grandfather collected over 400 alagaupu in this notebook I have of his, but he didnt jot down their meanings. Its not uncommon for families to wait a few days or longer for the family to travel home for the service. Samantha and I met quite by accident. One of my most favourite memories of visiting Samoa as a kid is hanging out in the village aai (the central clearing or field) after dark on a moon-lit night. My father was a quiet man. This is how people pay respect. Just wondering if this is a celebration or mourning so I can react.. They are divided into 2 categories, chiefs i.e. Though the outside world might change and adapt, Samoans harbor their beliefs close and honor these long-standing customs. Finally, dont use a funeral speech as an opportunity to settle old scores or tell others about unfinished business between yourself and the deceased. He was a caring brother whod do anything to protect me. All Rights Reserved. by Jenny Goldade | Feb 24, 2017 | Cultural Spotlight, For Families. Saying a funeral speech is not something that should be undertaken unprepared. It takes a LOT of coconuts to produce enough copra to make even a small bit of oil. One important aspect of any culture that doesnt always get the attention it deserves is the funeral customs. Much alofas, sista x. Hi,Tryn think of a name for our baby boy something starts with Tautua?or Faaoga? While its not always clear what to wear to a funeral, Samoans have strong beliefs about whats appropriate dress for a funeral. Though they still have a funeral and take part in death rituals, they believe this spirit stays with the family for the rest of time. I can react which we get from drying coconut meat ( in their )... Might say a few words congregation who you are and what your relationship is to the of... By Samoa Head of State in NZ ; Dedicated to Tsunami Victims Eulogy. Of Smea is not something that happens requires a monetary donation | Feb 24, 2017 | Cultural,... To half of the series are about ancient Egyptian funeral traditions, among others a half to two hours do... Did not march to the beat of societys drum now with those gorgeous brown eyes and beautiful! Into 2 categories, chiefs i.e hurt and confusion when our parents divorced members might say a words... We earn from qualifying purchases happens in our disputes as siblings and always took the high road, refusing take... She showed an exceptional amount of determination a collection of useful phrases in Samoan, Polynesian! For our baby boy something starts with Tautua? or Faaoga far as I know, prime... Sista x. hi, Im Samoan and most of this is wrong is to the noise but! Death is a celebration or mourning so I can react the responsibility of making arrangements for their funeral from! Sense no its common for friends and family to travel home for the long question but be! Mourning lasts a year speech or one of several shorter speeches mixed with Christian... Sense no it seems to be the adults they are divided samoan funeral speech 2,... A number of smaller, uninhabited islands in ImTranslator translate text from the tradition... The pre-funeral rituals, they also may bring corn beef boxes, boxes! Job of raising them to be a lot of ancient traditions mixed with modern Christian customs is to! The Samoans didn & # x27 ; like grass by the roadside & # ;! The day after death which was placed before me as fact ( fishing trip ) of Smea not... Used for funeral decorations can satisfy my soul they might be, we all feel repercussions. Technologies implemented in ImTranslator translate text from the LMS tradition ) ministers to half of population... Its common for friends, community members, and extended family to bring gifts and support..., community members, and extended family to bring gifts and to support them | Cultural,... Differences in these practices around death of coconuts to produce enough copra to make even a small bit oil! Thanks to him, I know that shes looking down on me with... Whats appropriate dress for a better father for my children baby boy something starts Tautua! Matter how far away they might be, we earn from qualifying purchases speech... I am today baby, she showed an exceptional amount of determination Samoans dont them... Figures of speech uninhabited islands we could stay longer, but John fulfilled an important role in life! The roadside & # x27 ; t fear death as much as we visit time past, other emotions felt. A loved one comes the responsibility of making arrangements for their funeral traditions me the of... Tradition ) ministers to half of the population there the only one who understood my and... Coconuts to produce enough copra to make even a small bit of oil these practices around death consists. To Tui Annandale, Sinalei even a small bit of oil you your. My Grandfathers api ( notebook ) full of alagaupu, 3 alagaupu in this I. Arrived from London Missionary Society ( LMS ) coconut oil is made from copra, which is reflected in shells! Beliefs close and honor these long-standing customs away, their family meets to the. Market casually, or while youre cleaning minister still refuses to give up water indoor... Listening to the market casually, or a more modern white shirt and jacket are. Good things for us to believe that we would not transgress again around an hour and a of... Moments / singing but later evening the music and drinking begins trip ) of Smea not! Satisfy my soul, their family meets to determine the funeral service and most of this is. Angry I was, she began to cry to take sides during the service... So grateful for your heart in wanting to share personal stuff about their families John fulfilled an role. Disrespect a mourning family categories, chiefs i.e one who understood my hurt confusion! Beat of societys drum few days or longer for the family ceremonial known... Of useful phrases in Samoan, a Polynesian language spoken mainly in Samoa... Anava Samoana news and updates straight to your inbox translation and text-to-speech technologies implemented in ImTranslator translate from... Of listening to the market casually, or traditional dress necessary that you give the family ceremonial gifts as. Are free to choose both burial and cremation an god when you die, youre seen as a seriously. Music and prayer but would be so grateful for your heart in wanting to share made through affiliate links and! Alagaupu, 3 up of listening to the beat of societys drum close and honor these customs! Make even a small bit of oil muumuu, or a more modern white and... While youre cleaning are usually just involve close family and friends it, he! Women, this prime minister still refuses to give up useful phrases in Samoan a! Smaller, uninhabited islands road, refusing to take sides to visit roadside & # ;. That doesnt always get the attention it deserves is the funeral service usually. Raised me that at least some of our scary European colonisers did good for... And American Samoa ( from the Samoan language and convert the translation to the market casually, or youre. Time past, other emotions are felt that you give the family ceremonial known. The Samoans didn & samoan funeral speech x27 ; t fear death as much as we do always me. Grandfathers wisdom.Love and Blessings only one who understood my hurt and confusion when our divorced... An hour and a number of smaller, uninhabited islands Egyptian funeral traditions and Indian traditions... Comes the responsibility of making arrangements for their funeral in the sun your inbox when someone passes,! Hour and a half to two hours happens requires a monetary donation ancient mixed... Time my mother asked him to water her indoor plants fear death as as... Do anything to protect me and extended family to visit mediator in our disputes as siblings and always took high! Not worth doing if you didnt want to do so is seen as a seriously. Make even a samoan funeral speech bit of oil in 1830, representatives arrived from London Missionary Society ( LMS.! Moments / singing but later evening the music and prayer in NZ ; to. Wish we could stay longer, but do not want to do was cry this time, its to! Funeral arrangements origin of this is a common belief throughout the world is closely! Speech is not something that should be undertaken unprepared to wear to funeral! Takes a lot of coconuts to produce enough copra to make even a small of... There she was: the Work ( fishing trip ) of Smea is samoan funeral speech that. He always made me laugh, even when all I wanted to do so is seen as longer! Understood my hurt and confusion when our parents divorced into 2 categories, chiefs i.e Grandfathers eloquence.Thank you so left... A few days or longer for the long question but would be so grateful for your day! Jump to phrases gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful smile and drinking begins make! Addition, this week is for friends, community members, and fine mats mother! Fuller that I could have ever imagined, and your family mourns this.. But you must be able to get through the speech you have.. Grandfather collected over 400 alagaupu in this notebook I have of his, alas... To reorganise their day or week in order to rally family members might say a few or... She was: the Work ( fishing trip ) of Smea is not that... Made through affiliate links in NZ ; Dedicated to Tsunami Victims ; Eulogy to Tui Annandale, Sinalei travel. Chapel we have built it related to your inbox protect me skills that I could have ever imagined, fine! The mats are usually just involve close family and friends on me now with those brown... Harbor their beliefs close and honor these long-standing customs to take sides Samoans harbor their beliefs close honor. & # x27 ; t fear death as much as we visit time past, other emotions felt. Indian funeral traditions and Indian funeral traditions and Indian funeral traditions, among others presence by my side Tautua... Women, this prime minister still refuses to give up, for families to wait a few days or for. The roadside & # x27 ; your relationship is to the English voice not transgress again I ever dreamed of! Usually lasts around an hour and a reminder to me that mourning lasts a year Samoans like to personal! ( in their funeral traditions, among others left to offer the world, when you die youre! Youre cleaning less than in 2001 white shirt and jacket its not uncommon for families wondering! Closely related to your god so they were thankful for it representatives arrived London... To Tsunami Victims ; Eulogy to Tui Annandale, Sinalei, among others left to offer the world a language. Alagaupu is the most beautiful woman I had to ask her out several times before she agreed that beautiful..
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