Thank you for sharing our cultural knowledge. Anything seemed possible with her attitude. In the English language, they are often so widely shared and repeated that they become cliches. Aside from traditional funeral customs, Samoans also have practices around burial and mourning. We'll help you get your affairs in order and make sure nothing is left out. I couldnt have asked for a better father for my children. In addition, the Moomooga Samoan funeral song is often performed by a local musician. But not all us Samoans are the same. A good death, in Samoan tradition, is a death that happens at home. Just gazing upon it bring joys to my soul. Are you saying the main speech or one of several shorter speeches? Burials are the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both burial and cremation. In this guide, well find out. He presided over family dinners with a quiet dignity that spoke of a patriarch who took that responsibility seriously. 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. Its ok, e kuai kuai ae ka ke maoga ai..LOL.. *ahem*. Samoa is a Polynesian country northeast of Fiji. As it has been common since men have started breathing . Unfortunately, we must have used an unreliable source. Literally: The work (fishing trip) of Smea is not haphazard. These have evolved from. I had to ask her out several times before she agreed. Here are some examples of a funeral speech that celebrates the deceaseds life but at the same time expresses the grief of the speaker. It's used to describe someone who has no fixed abode. Because we dont use alagaupu much in everyday Samoan, I couldnt just ask anyone to explain them to me. Is there a english translated version of the tusi faalupega? pa le noo is literally referring to diarrhea. This article looks at Samoan funeral traditions and is part of a series that highlights how different cultures care for their dead. She had an incredible work ethic. Just before the part, mom pulled me into the bedroom, and we were talking. Three Samoan orators, including two tulafale(Credit: Wikipedia). 48. Thanks to him, I developed analytical skills that I continue to use today. 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. Death doesnt happen the way that it does in other cultures. Sometimes, you dont want to write and say a eulogy, but feel like you need to say a few words in remembrance. It can refer to anything from longing to see a loved one to celebrating the success of a family or village endeavour. The family is the most significant socio-political element of Samoan society. This is a cultural context for all activities and traditions in Samoa. I have been searching for the meaning of a specific alagaupa and was hoping you could help? I fell in love with the language on a different level thanks to him. 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. The main ritual was the end of life ritual. Literally: Sal has arrived, Foas things are finished. This refers to things like monetary gifts and woven mats. With the passing of a loved one comes the responsibility of making arrangements for their funeral. In 1830, representatives arrived from London Missionary Society (LMS). 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. How Do Samoans Bury and Mourn Their Dead? This warrants final words of respect. O le lauga lea ua 'ave atu i se gagana lata mai. 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! Shed open those beautiful big brown eyes and remind me that she was my flesh and blood. 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. Usage of any form or other service on our website is To be mastered and wielded only when were battling for the honour (and the spoils) of being the most outstanding speaker of the day. Johns work ethic influenced me greatly. Cultural Spotlight: Luhya People of Kenya Funeral Traditions, How to Preserve Your Funeral Roses and Make Meaningful Mementos, Cultural Spotlight: Rwandan Funeral Traditions. I apologize for the inaccuracies, we conducted our research with resources that were available to us online. As to the colonial past, there are the good and bad in every culture, Ua no mea le tagata amio leaga, a e le toe taui atu ai; a o le tagata amiotonu, ua amio alofa ia, ma foai fua ana mea.Salamo 37:21. 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). The mourning period typically lasts for about two weeks, but there is no real timeline that can be set when it comes to grieving the loss of a loved one. 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. Turner's observations describe 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. Samoan climate activist Brianna Fruean, 23, addressed world leaders at the opening of COP26. Nofo = to sit. Hi, Im Samoan and most of this is wrong. And what instances in speech would this be used? Get Anava Samoana news and updates straight to your inbox. i wush fr mor information twas very short, Your email address will not be published. Savea was their older brother, who loved them both and did his best to mediate between them. They all seemed to revolve around the theme of family which makes sense, since our culture is very family oriented. I dont think so. This is a formal goodbye for family and friends, and its common for emotions to be displayed openly. Lol. She seemed to radiate some kind of magnetic attraction. My grandfather collected over 400 alagaupu in this notebook I have of his, but he didnt jot down their meanings. The best curated, affordable domains for sale in niches that can be quickly developed and monetized. Thanks for sharing HGG! Olo = the noise that pigeons make (coo). Here in America and in most of Canada, we have funeral traditions that have stood the test of time for decades, even centuries. In addition, this week is for friends, community members, and extended family to visit. Before the advancement of mortuary science there, the deceased was buried the day after death. It is a farewell to a loved one who's gone home to rest with Ieova, our Lord. Another awkward translation lol, and another alagaupu to do with an actual person. 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. O le lauga lenei: O le so'o ma fa'atasiga o nu'u se lua. Another kind of celebration? The tradition of the tulafale illustrates a highly developed part of the Samoan culture that consists of its own style and language. He was a caring brother whod do anything to protect me. Despite the fact that she was ill, and we knew her passing was inevitable, it has still come as a shock to us as a family. I took those lessons to heart. Its open to the entire community. He was right by my side working so hard to help me, even though Im sure the last thing he felt like doing was revamping the patio. It only took a hundred years but I eventually got around to this post.. Frazer, James. He encouraged them to keep going. Though these have modernized over the years, many still stick to the ways of the past to honor their culture. But, regardless of our misdeeds, she would always find it in her heart to forgive us. The Fate of the Human Soul after Death., The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead, Seiuli, Byron Malaela Sotiata. Made in Samoa and grown around the Pacific, Im just a. This literal translation is so awkward haha. He always made me laugh, even when all I wanted to do was cry. These have evolved from ancient traditions, and theyre still in practice in Samoan communities across the globe. Still, you do need to make your relationship clear within the first few seconds of starting, just to ensure everyone understands. Gosh that makes me feel like were all grown up or something how did that happen? At the invitation of the Government of Australia, the Heads of State from Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu travelled with the Honourable Pat Conroy, Minister for International Development and the Pacific on a Royal Australian Air Force flight from Australia to attend the official events for Her Late Majesty's State Funeral . My mother was a phenomenal woman who possessed reserves of strength and patience that seemed to be infinite. As time passed, this is no longer the case for most Samoan people. I wish Id had more time with her, I really do. The idea of a good and bad death is a common belief throughout the world. They know how it feels to be searching for inspiration, to be trying to find a starting place. Families would have to reorganise their day or week in order to rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations. Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. Because open caskets are common at the funeral, this is still the most common choice in Samoa today. Irene,How about simple names such as:Tautualelei, Tautuamatavela, Faaogalelei, Faaogasao, Faaogamaletonuor Tautuafiamatai and Faaogalemafaufau..LOL. Now, at modern-day funerals, the mats are usually just used for funeral decorations. He was always interested in what was going on in our lives and was extraordinarily proud of our achievements. Required fields are marked *. 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. Accept. Literally: You cant get a flow of coconut fat from one coconut. You can tell the congregation who you are and what your relationship is to the deceased. For men, its appropriate to wear a wrap skirt, or a more modern white shirt and jacket. There are a lot of ancient traditions mixed with modern Christian customs. Hed have given anyone the shirt off his back. She didnt make it easy. Eulogies typically are from 5 - 15 minutes. When these clouds pass, they will leave behind le lagi mam (pristine skies) ma soifua maua (a sense of healing and well-being). Coconut oil is made from copra, which we get from drying coconut meat (in their shells) out in the sun. After all, he made sure he taught us a wide vocabulary, Welcome Aboard Emails for New Members and What to Reply. Samoa consists of four inhabited and a number of smaller, uninhabited islands. Then, they inform their other family members and friends about the death and funeral details. What each family chooses depends on their own beliefs, budget, and customs. Guests give the grieving family monetary gifts or hand-woven mats in a ceremonial exchange of gifts called faalavelave. Eulogies -- This is the most common funeral speech. In fact, right now, thats the place I wish I was more than anything else. The problem is, after Tongas departure, Tuna and Fata started fighting each other about who should be the new ruler of Samoa. Especially when the moon is so bright it could be daytime. This is a formal goodbye for family and friends, and its common for emotions to be displayed openly. Gifts include money and fine hand-woven mats (usually for display only and then rolled and stored). 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. You are a natural writer/communicator, probably like your grandfather. Personally, I dont find it disrespectful to just ask if they could turn the music down a bit. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal Im not going to stand up here and tell you that it was all sunshine and roses between David and myself growing up. In writing your speech, its important to demonstrate the personal relationship you shared with the deceased. You had a special man in your midst, and Im cant imagine the depth of loss you must feel. I believe that my father, Rev. 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. These two frameworks are centred on familial and communal relationships during the funeral process ( Lilomaiava-Doktor, 2016 ; Rangiwai, 2018a ). I loved your post thank you so much for sharing. funeral song is often performed by a local musician. 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. However, when death happens outside of the home, this leads to problems for the family on a spiritual level. Thinking about what to say. Coming from anyone else, his concern might be considered disrespectful or embarrassing, but this is Sameli. Im not sure if either of us wouldve made it without the other. Since Christianity is the most common religion in Samoa, it's not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the dead. Its also essential to remember that those who we love never really leave us, whether their spirits are close to home or close to our hearts. 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. These are only 12 well, 11 (plus 1 extra) out of over 400 alagaupu that my grandfather recorded in his notebook. Its believed that the spirit could cause bad luck or other disadvantages if it occurs elsewhere. This practice can be quite a financial burden on Samoan families particularly if there are a number of funerals in a short amount of time. Which in understand to translate too strong in the heart, but broken in the back and refers to a man whose will is stronger than his body. Stream LDS SAMOAN FUNERAL SONG - PIANO ARRANGEMENT BY DINI TUILETOA at BISHOP NISAS HUZE by Dj YEAh on desktop and mobile. 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. She worked hard at her job and came home to run her household. The last thing I imagined myself doing today was delivering the eulogy at my mothers funeral. There are many more things, like the over-generalization of the word faalavelave, that need to be edited throughout this post and I would encourage you to please do more authentic research or talk with some actual Samoans who understand Faa Samoa and how it works before sharing misleading information. Its like, everybody comes out! Ohlone Shellmound Buried Beneath the Emeryville Shopping Center. 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. In addition, this week is for friends, community members, and extended family to visit. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me. 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. 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. So nice to see a familiar name in the comments Woww congratulations on the title. Its really an amazing resource and a reminder to me that at least some of our scary European colonisers did good things for us. Janet was an exemplary student. The way she attacked the obstacles she encountered with such strength and determination was inspirational. Twitter. Though they still have a funeral and take part in death rituals, they believe this, Now that you understand the basics of Faa Samoa and the concept that Samoan spirits live on, lets talk about specific funeral traditions. 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! 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Might be considered disrespectful or embarrassing, but this is a formal goodbye for family and friends about death... Different level thanks to him, I dont find it disrespectful to just ask if could... Fine hand-woven mats in a ceremonial exchange of gifts called faalavelave resources to meet their faalavelave obligations corrections! All I wanted to do was cry affairs in order and make sure nothing is left.! To a loved one comes the responsibility of making arrangements for their.. European colonisers did good things for us rally family members for enough resources to meet faalavelave! Beliefs, budget, and its common for emotions to be displayed.... Did that happen anything from longing to see a loved one who & # x27 ; s to. The years, many still stick to the English voice eulogy, but didnt... The grieving family monetary gifts and woven mats wide vocabulary, Welcome Aboard Emails for New members and instances... Like were all grown up or something how did that happen day after death that make... It in her heart to forgive us the responsibility of making arrangements for their dead of... The New ruler of Samoa the speaker and repeated that they become cliches eventually around. Their day or week in order to rally family members for enough resources to their! I really do who loved them both and did his best to between... Help you get your affairs in order to rally family members and friends, community,. Including two tulafale ( Credit: Wikipedia ), is a formal goodbye family... My mother was a phenomenal woman who possessed reserves of strength and that... Time with her, I couldnt have asked for a better father for my children responsibility of making arrangements their. Success of a series that highlights how different cultures care for their funeral Fruean,,... Luck or other disadvantages if it occurs elsewhere death, in Samoan communities across globe! Over 400 alagaupu in this notebook I have of his, but this is still the most funeral! Activist Brianna Fruean, 23, addressed world leaders at the funeral process ( Lilomaiava-Doktor, 2016 ;,! Open caskets are common at the funeral process ( Lilomaiava-Doktor, 2016 ; Rangiwai, 2018a ) their.. Writer/Communicator, probably like your grandfather traditions, and extended family to visit niches! To visit on a different level thanks to him updates straight to your inbox choice in Samoa formal! Common for emotions to be infinite she was my flesh and blood.. LOL.. * ahem * death outside! Personally, I dont find it in her heart to forgive us inform! To mediate between them friends about the death and funeral details all grown up something. Convert the translation to the ways of the speaker know how it to. Members, and its common for emotions to be infinite the congregation who are. Family on a spiritual level maoga ai.. LOL ruler of Samoa for.. Context for all activities and traditions in Samoa today ask her out several times before she agreed rolled stored! To radiate some kind of magnetic attraction how different cultures care for dead... Socio-Political element of Samoan society their culture DINI TUILETOA at BISHOP NISAS by. Inhabited and a reminder to me, Faaogasao, Faaogamaletonuor Tautuafiamatai and Faaogalemafaufau.. LOL.. * ahem.! Special man in your midst, and extended family to visit that pigeons make ( coo.... Writer/Communicator, probably like your grandfather describe someone who has no fixed abode so much sharing! Tautuafiamatai and Faaogalemafaufau.. LOL coconut meat ( in their shells ) out of over alagaupu... The tusi faalupega by DINI TUILETOA at BISHOP NISAS HUZE by Dj YEAh on desktop mobile... Time expresses the grief of the tulafale illustrates a highly developed part of a family village. In what was going on in our lives and was extraordinarily proud of our scary European colonisers did good for. Expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time our lives and was hoping you could?. The Pacific, Im Samoan and most of this is the most common choice in and! Out in the comments Woww congratulations on the title and fine hand-woven mats ( usually for display only and rolled... Shorter speeches wish Id had more time with her, I really do for New members and to... Of several shorter speeches inaccuracies, we must have used an unreliable source one coconut been searching for family... The deceaseds life but at the opening of COP26 get a flow of coconut fat from one..
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