It seems to be a lot of family everyday.. some quiet moments / singing but later evening the music and drinking begins. A Lavalava is what you wear around the house, to the market casually, or while youre cleaning. by Jenny Goldade | Feb 24, 2017 | Cultural Spotlight, For Families. My sister Janet never met a challenge she didnt conquer. What our family lacked in money, my mother more than made up for with love. There are 3 key parts to giving a eulogy: thinking, writing and delivering it. You are a natural writer/communicator, probably like your grandfather. Muumuu are Hawaiian dresses, Samoans dont wear them. You had a special man in your midst, and Im cant imagine the depth of loss you must feel. As we grew older, I began to see David for what he truly was. They have been shared by those who wrote them to help people like yourself. forms. Much of the funeral process begins in the week before the funeral. My Samoan neighbours have appeared to be celebrating for 3 days now, is this a mourning process do you think? Every culture has its own collection of proverbs or maxims. Otherwise, ones spirit may cause problems for the family. I hope you dont mind me mentioning you in that post. Now that you understand the basics of Faa Samoa and the concept that Samoan spirits live on, lets talk about specific funeral traditions. Mamea was moved to write the play after listening to a Maori Battalion CD. Siaosi Leleimalefaga will help me through this.. he is one of the most longest serving Church Ministers in Samoa in the EFKS.. was also a School Principal at Leulumoega Fou College!! And even with the little me time she had, she never used it for herself. A good funeral speech starts with an introduction. In Samoan tradition, its important for the body to be buried quickly. Your soul has moved on, and your family mourns this loss. This link will open in a new window. It refers to how they should behave by respecting and honoring each other, which is reflected in their funeral traditions. Samoa is a Polynesian country northeast of Fiji. Its like saying we wish we could stay longer, but alas. Women are divided into two categories . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Finally, dont use a funeral speech as an opportunity to settle old scores or tell others about unfinished business between yourself and the deceased. Samoa, which shares the Samoan archipelago with American Samoa, consists of nine islands west of longitude 171 W Upolu, Savai'i, Manono, and Apolima, all of which are inhabited, and the uninhabited islands of Fanuatapu, Namu'a, Nu'utele, Nu'ulua, and Nu'usafee. Since Christianity is the most common religion in Samoa, it's not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the dead. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online
How Do Samoans Bury and Mourn Their Dead? Even the wives of matai are given a special status and are greeted like their husbands. The funeral service doesnt usually just involve close family and friends. There are a lot of ancient traditions mixed with modern Christian customs. Stream LDS SAMOAN FUNERAL SONG - PIANO ARRANGEMENT BY DINI TUILETOA at BISHOP NISAS HUZE by Dj YEAh on desktop and mobile. Ohlone Shellmound Buried Beneath the Emeryville Shopping Center. There were times I wished he wasnt my brother. , Samoans have strong beliefs about whats appropriate dress for a funeral. If she didnt understand something, shed work at it until she did. While some cultures resemble our own, others make us reflect and consider how our differences bring us together. Samoans have very clear views of death and dying, but these arent always similar to other traditions around the world. My grandfather was only a gatherer of Samoan wisdom . Twitter. Not only do they bring those who are grieving Sign up for our newsletter and get tips, trends, news, and more sent directly to your inbox! 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. The way she attacked the obstacles she encountered with such strength and determination was inspirational. 35 Thank You Mom Messages That Every Mom Will Love. With my mother, we went through Grandpas notebook and discussed the meanings of 12 of his listed alagaupu. 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. As it has been common since men have started breathing . E lelei le Atua, ia tatou faafetai ia te Ia ona o Lona alofa.Manuia i le suesuega! Buy Sympathy FlowersShop Funeral StationeryBrowse Memorial Items. You are not Sameli, unless you are worry that the server might give you a smaller portion than what others are getting..or run out before your turn..hahaha. Okay, just looking at your alagaupu properly.. First, it should probably read e toa le loto (no second e), which means the heart/will is strong. Your email address will not be published. As a small island nation located northeast of Australia and New Zealand, these customs are based on local beliefs, community ties, and influence from the rest of the world. For information about opting out, click here. Of course, she drove me crazy. I apologize for the inaccuracies, we conducted our research with resources that were available to us online. 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. As for the loud music and drinking, I guess you could say its a form of celebration. There are no strict rules about mourning in Samoa outside of these typical two weeks. This alagaupu is all about missing out on something important because youve come too late, and as you can imagine, its a perfect expression for telling someone off. For Samoans, life and death are about much more than a single person. 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. Hes special so its just funny. Burials are the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both burial and cremation. 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. They all seemed to revolve around the theme of family which makes sense, since our culture is very family oriented. The chief and other local leaders begin by performing a ceremony with the family prior to the official service. We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service
Fine mats are never used solely for decoration; each one is made from someone specific or is of a specific significance and is displayed as such. His passion for teaching English was contagious. Its necessary that you give the congregation an insight into the persons life as it related to your own. Other parts of the series are about ancient Egyptian funeral traditions and Indian funeral traditions, among others. Family responsibility and the care of family land are the keys to the culture. Welp, dont I feel foolish just saw that HGG already commented on E. Shultzs book in her Alagaupu & Muagagana pageoh well, enjoy the book in its totality with the other links. This kind of happiness endures for some time- and even in the ravage of time. In addition, this week is for friends, community members, and extended family to visit. The casket is sometimes open, and there might be a sharing of a ceremonial drink. Failing to do so is seen as a sign of great disrespect. Thinking about what to say. The tulafale also leads a special ceremony called saofai, where the family discusses any important decisions to be made about the deceaseds passing, shared stories, and have a feast often using a Samoan umu, an Earth oven with heated rocks, to cook the food. A few years ago I told you about my grandfathers api (notebook) full of alagaupu that I wanted to study and really understand. Unfortunately, we must have used an unreliable source. The Moomooga Samoan funeral song may be performed to say goodbye to loved ones. Your own understanding of these alagaupu might be completely different from ours, and just as correct. All Rights Reserved. He was the mediator in our disputes as siblings and always took the high road, refusing to take sides. This alagaupu refers to that feeling of not wanting a moment to end. I walked into her office in error and there she was: the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. A e mo e o lo 'o fia malamalama, amata mai 'upu faigofie o le gagana, au e te iloa loa le mea fa'atauva'a lea, ona e malamalama loa lea i le uiga o 'upu maotua. dies in Samoa. Ever see an old Samoan man talking to himself? Literally: Nothing is more important than your family. So, this alagaupu is about being the peacemaker, bringing two opposing sides together out of love for them both. Samoans have a lot of the same roots as other island cultures of the South Pacific so they have many aspects in common. Personally, I dont find it disrespectful to just ask if they could turn the music down a bit. this was very helpful. He made the written word come alive in class. You can tell the congregation who you are and what your relationship is to the deceased. This literal translation is so awkward haha. . Still, death is a natural part of life and not something to be feared. Home | About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC. O le lauga lenei: O le so'o ma fa'atasiga o nu'u se lua. He supported them every step of the way. Please feel free to email me at samantha@frazerconsultants.com with your corrections and I would be happy to update the post where needed! Literally: Friends every day but siblings on bad days. I predict this one is going to grow into a well-used, quite profound alagaupu in many lauga to come. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake,
Mr Bakulich, who has worked as a funeral director for 20 years, spoke out in support of comments made by Samoa's Head of State during a New Zealand visit this week. 40 Thank You Dad Messages Every Dad Will Appreciate. But I have to admit, theres a lot of Samelis in Samoa, they may not have the same name but they have the same manner and personality.. LOL. I dont know where to begin to tell you about the enormous gaping hole that Samanthas passing has left in my life. Usage of any form or other service on our website is
After all, he made sure he taught us a wide vocabulary, Welcome Aboard Emails for New Members and What to Reply. She had such an infectious zest for life that she could always find the humor or a silver lining of any situation, regardless of the gravity. Although it is under such unfortunate circumstances, the family has finally come together under one roof. Though the outside world might change and adapt, Samoans harbor their beliefs close and honor these long-standing customs. All Rights Reserved. He showed me the value of questioning that which was placed before me as fact. Sadness is the first and strongest of the emotions. While higher than other Pacific languages, this was 4 per cent less than in 2001. 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. Cultural Spotlight: Luhya People of Kenya Funeral Traditions, How to Preserve Your Funeral Roses and Make Meaningful Mementos, Cultural Spotlight: Rwandan Funeral Traditions. In Faa Samoa, the dead are never treated as though theyre gone. People continue to converse with the deceased and treat them as though theyre still there. 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. Samoan culture has both ancient and contemporary components to it and these provide the background for its funeral traditions and customs. But wherever she is, I know that shes looking down on me now with those gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful smile. Families would have to reorganise their day or week in order to rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations. So this alagaupu is referring to how we might be sitting here enjoying the conversation, but at the back of our minds, we know we need to be somewhere else. Death is simply Gods will, and its a normal, welcome part of life. Before the advancement of mortuary science there, the deceased was buried the day after death. You cannot afford to break down and cry in the moment. He did not march to the beat of societys drum. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Im interested to know now how you found this alagaupu :). Funeral Poem for Grandparents #1 When we lose someone who has been an important part of our life, perhaps even raised us, many emotions come to the surface. My mother was a phenomenal woman who possessed reserves of strength and patience that seemed to be infinite. However, in modern-day Samoa, this isnt always possible. It requires some forethought and planning. Traditionally, it was important for the family to bury the body within a day of death. Shed always be knitting or sewing or making something that we needed. 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. While its believed that the spirit lives on with the family, God willed their time on earth to come to an end. The main ritual was the end of life ritual. When death happens at home, the spirit stays with the family peacefully. The importance of mats harkens back to when they served as the currency of the Samoan people. Funerals are flooded with gifts for the family. Wearing traditional attire is the best way to honor Faa Samoa and pay respects. explained comes from the word atutia that in dignified Samoan speech refers to a mountain range. This includes deciding who will be saying a funeral speech at the funeral service. I had to ask a lot of questions to try and understand the literal meaning of this one, because the word taulia to me means something that has been accepted or approved, so I couldnt understand why ao (clouds) would be described as taulia? Knowing how to offer condolences is an important part of Samoan custom. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal
The casket is open for the viewing, but may be closed for the actual funeral service. For example, the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (from the LMS tradition) ministers to half of the population there. This link will open in a new window. there are certain things one has to keep for self they are not for everyone, and in that sense no! I am researching Samoa for a school project. Some people choose burial and some cremation; it depends on the individuals personal beliefs. There is usually at least one church in each village and most of the ministers are native Samoans. As a small island nation located northeast of Australia and New Zealand, these customs are based on local beliefs, community ties, and influence from the rest of the world. lol.. I hope youre not planning to use it too often. This is an example of an alagaupu that came from an actual event and has retained its meaning even though its origin story may have drifted from memory. Oh wait is keeping the good stuff for myself just me being Sameli? Ua malumaunu le fogatia, au ua atoa ali'i seu ma o . Since Christianity is the most common religion in Samoa, its not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the dead. I knew there and then that I would never be able to stay away from her, and that my life would not be complete without her in it. 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 she saw how angry I was, she began to cry. If you are standing and the person you wish to speak to is sitting, you are expected to bring . Now, it is common to delay funerals for overseas loved ones. are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. Why? Required fields are marked *. says New Zealand-based Samoan funeral director Nick Bakulich. Hahaha @ kuai kuai ae aua e ke popole, e ke fiu e ai . Some of the speeches are short. It was our last big party before mom died. The tradition of the tulafale illustrates a highly developed part of the Samoan culture that consists of its own style and language. Basically, poor Sameli is worried that all the good food will run out before its his turn to be served, so hes just looking out for himself. My grandfather collected over 400 alagaupu in this notebook I have of his, but he didnt jot down their meanings. These proverbs are taken from the first Samoan dictionary, A grammar and dictionary of the Samoan language, with English and Samoan vocabulary, first published in 1862. But this devastation is also cleansing. Samoan traditional woven mat(Credit: Wikipedia). This high development traces back to the days before the arrival of the missionaries,when all communication was transmitted orally. Close your funeral speech with a statement about the impact the person had on you and how much you will miss them. Tired or not, hed help me with all my projects. Conversely, when relatives from the homeland, specifically from Western Samoa, attend a funeral in the migrants place of residence, they bring mats and money, and the migrants repay them with airfare and exceptional hospitality during their visit. Olo = the noise that pigeons make (coo). I had to go to my uncle (the son of this grandfather), a skilled orator himself, who has been using these alagaupu in his own lauga for decades. In Faa Samoa, its important to put the group before the individual. Please find the links below: http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_58_1949/Volume_58,_No._4/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_139-184/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_35-62/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._2/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_112-134/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._3/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_207-231/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_60_1951/Volume_60,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_1-21/p1. Like during the pre-funeral rituals, they also may bring corn beef boxes, chicken boxes, and fine mats. 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. Its open to the entire community. It takes a LOT of coconuts to produce enough copra to make even a small bit of oil. It is very closely related to what we call muagagana - or figures of speech. This alagaupu expresses that things happen for a reason that everything has (or should have) a purpose. True to form, David came up with a plan to make the job easier. You should always talk to someone at eye level or lower, particularly elders. Family and village structure Matai are titleholders. funeral rituals have been changed, but also reinvigorated, by the territorial redistribution of people in the Samoan diaspora. These wish for peace in the afterlife and bring peace to families. Thats why, when he did have something to say, we listened. Find a Free Sample of Speeches in Every Category Use my free sample of speeches and speech outlines to inspire you and help you craft your presentation in all categories, including informative, persuasive, and various social events! Ive heard a few of those alagaupus and the others will come in handy!I was honoured to have been bestowed an Alii title in my Grandmothers Village couple years ago so trying to learn as much as I can thanks sis alofa aku, CherrryyyK! One of my favorite memories of David is the one-and-only time my mother asked him to water her indoor plants. This alagaupu is used when a family has just come through an extremely tragic event, but now the clouds are clearing. Then, they inform their other family members and friends about the death and funeral details. Gosh that makes me feel like were all grown up or something how did that happen? When someone passes away, their family meets to determine the funeral arrangements. x. I really enjoyed reading this it was awesome. But, regardless of our misdeeds, she would always find it in her heart to forgive us. The island of Samoa is a tropical paradise, but its also home to some unique perspectives and traditions around death. Talk with your funeral director or event planner to see what rituals they can adapt for a live stream. Agafili Shem Leo, and . Ive read and am in total awe of your Grandfathers eloquence.Thank you so much for sharing your Grandfathers wisdom.Love and Blessings.