A theology of Samoa is found in what Samoans call the Mau. Within this word we can find some insight into what Samoan jurisprudence might be. Speak from the heart and say how you feel about the person, Talk about their career, jobs, hobbies and passions, Talk about their relationships with family, friends and colleagues, Mention things that you inherited or learned from them, Perhaps mention some people who will be at the funeral, Mention a couple of funny stories if appropriate, Keep it real and don't be afraid of mentioning their less good points - you don't have to put them on a pedestal, Thank people for coming to the funeral and for their support. Its open to the entire community. 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. 35 hours/week. Anytime shed open those beautiful big brown eyes of hers, silently reminding me that she was my flesh and blood, I couldnt stay angry with her. Thats why, when he did have something to say, we listened. This intimate relationship between God and man is sacred. My sister Janet never met a challenge she didnt conquer. form. 40 Best Examples for a Thank You Note to Teacher. Johns work ethic influenced me greatly. I belong to my family and my family belongs to me. The way she attacked the obstacles she encountered with such strength and determination was inspirational. The tuaoi between people involves the operation of the principle of tautua or service. I belong to my village and my village belongs to me. Here I wish to point out that this is an aberration because feagaiga which is core to the Samoan cultural and philosophical reference is premised on the fact that feagaiga is an issue of the body. In fact, right now, thats the place I wish I was more than anything else. Online counseling can help by giving you that support so you don't feel so alone. Traditionally a distinction or tuaoi was made between the roles of tamaalii (high chief) and tulafale (orator). He may not have known it, but John fulfilled an important role in my life. Such is the case for the Samoans. This is a cultural context for all activities and traditions in Samoa. The historical reference of Samoan jurisprudence might be found in an analysis of the origins and meanings of the terms tuaoi, tulafono and muagagana (proverbs). Thank you so much for your feedback! Rather, I am noting that they are interchangeable depending on who the speaker is. To illustrate the changes in this tuaoi between nuu, itumalo and Malo, the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele, tells of how in the village of Fasitoouta the intervention of Government proved useful to achieving resolve of a long-standing conflict in the village. He seldom said much. This link will open in a new window. In my Samoan oral culture knowledge on any subject, philosophical or otherwise was, more often than not, embodied in proverbs or muagagana . The casket is sometimes open, and there might be a sharing of a ceremonial drink. For specific advice, please consult a medical practitioner or qualified psychologist or counselor. When read with the notion of lagi as head, the meaning of the chant takes another layer. While its hard to believe, nobody really dies in Samoa. Aga-i-fanua thus demands recognition of village autonomy, of its uniqueness or apartness from all the other villages and so determines the boundary between what it is or is not, i.e. Samoans believe in following Faa Samoa, meaning The Samoan Way. Tulouna le papat! In Samoa, its important to do things the Samoan Way. Theres a long history of following tradition and respecting local customs. The theological reference provides insight into the heart, psyche and soul of indigenous Samoan culture. Tautua is a concept not only applicable to the untitled but also to the titled. This extension of the meaning of tautua to include tautua ai taumalele and osi aiga has qualitatively increased the numbers of those eligible to receive a title. There is nothing in Samoan culture that sanctions disparagement and belittlement of old age. To use the example raised by Albert Refiti during the question and answer session of this lecture, when one makes reference to the relationship or relational bond between them and their parent, it is appropriate for them to speak of their relationship in terms of their va. This theology gave ancient Samoans a reference for being, knowing and belonging. This is an important point to keep in mind when working through the practicalities of implementing jurisprudential ideals. Traditionally, the kind of respect and mana implicit in pule could only come about through an active nurturing of the va fealoaloai, i.e. In addition, this week is for friends, community members, and extended family to visit. Tulouna le lagi tualima! They should be mediated through the traditional mediation processes of pae ma auli. She agreed, and the discussions then revolved around money and the issues were finally settled.. the installation of someone to a title who resides outside the family household). RATED 4.9/5. Usage of any form or other service on our website is Having a little sister who wanted to tag along was, at times, infuriating. She worked hard at her job and came home to run her household. , and theyre still in practice in Samoan communities across the globe. Some villages have special roles afforded to particular families, names or positions specific to their village history. Funeral rites and chants provide a vehicle for contemplation on the journey of life. There are many benefits to working with Soliant. You cannot afford to break down and cry in the moment. Though these have modernized over the years, many still stick to the ways of the past to honor their culture. She was a caring, supportive and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother . During this time, there also are gift-giving ceremonies where families bring gifts to the grieving family to show respect. Case 3: Have You Considered One-on-One Online Grief Counseling? Instagram. Tula means head; fono means formal meeting. Lesley Postle and Anna Baglione PhD look into online grief support groups to see if they are beneficial and to find out how we can make the most of them in our journey through grief. Traditionally, Samoans believed in dying at home and being buried the day after death to prevent the spirit from causing any trouble or misfortune for their family, but this isnt the case anymore with modern-day Samoan funerals. To understand Samoan tulafono we must search our Samoan faasinomaga; we must search the tuaoi of our ancestors and of our children to come; the tuaoi between ourselves; between us and our lands; the seas; the skies; the stars each implicit in and protected by our tulafono. The perennial challenge of the tofa saili or search for wisdom in land disputes is how to locate tuaoi or boundary in a climate where tuaoi seems to be shifting constantly and sometimes even arbitrarily. Moreover, they can operate simultaneously. Pule is not inherited automatically. The saofa'i marks the formal acceptance of a new matai by their family and village into the circle of chiefs and orators. Much of the funeral process begins in the week before the funeral. Land is therefore inherited only insofar as it has been apportioned to man in trust according to genealogy and history. As I have noted before : Harmony in the mind involves finding unity in the messages conveyed by the senses. The difference in the Samoan language is that these proverbs and idioms are usually only studied by our talking chiefs (tulafale). The va fealoaloai thus refers specifically to the relational bond between different entities. 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. Since Christianity is the most common religion in Samoa, its not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the dead. Paul Ojibway, in recent correspondence. The best man's speech is followed by the cake. Hawaii The idea of a good and bad death is a common belief throughout the world. Because. So I did what I usually do when searching for context and meaning and sought the assistance of my friends. In doing so I received a profound message from my dear friend Fr. It only takes a few minutes and you don't even have to use your name. Some common gifts include corn beef boxes, chicken boxes, and fine mats. The chronic backlog of cases to be decided in this Court is a result not only of the fact that just about every case is appealed and a high proportion of these are upheld, but also the time period for final resolution of an appealed case is, more often than not, close to 10 years. Before the advancement of mortuary science there, the deceased was buried the day after death. The Samoa Minister of Justice in discussions with me acknowledged the serious backlog problem and the far-reaching impacts of this. I had to ask her out several times before she agreed. Sample remarks for a non-religious funeral "Looking around the room today I see many familiar faces, as well as some new ones. As a result the protocol and conventions which underpin va fealoaloai, a relationship founded on recognition of merit and respect for leadership, core to Samoan custom, are undermined. Im not sure if either of us wouldve made it without the other. John taught me so much more than English. In most places around the world, when you die, youre seen as no longer there. The funeral service is typically at a church and involves a lot of praying and singing. To illustrate this point I wish to tell two stories of two tyrannical ancestors, Tagaloa and Nofoasaefa. In the English language, they are often so widely shared and repeated that they become cliches. 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%. The archipelago is a politically divided one. These issues of belonging (of faasinomaga and va fealoaloai), of knowing boundaries (or tuaoi), and of knowing how to search for meaning in having these boundaries (for having tofa saili) are central to understanding the contours, substance and impact of tulafono or Samoan (custom) law, then and today. The tuaoi that arises here is that between those who seek a right to a title and those who have the right to bestow one. And Im sure there were times he wished I wasnt his sister. . Paul Ojibway challenges us to develop a jurisprudence that is not apologetic for its origins as indigenous; that extends the inhibiting tuaoi of our imaginations beyond the constraints of time. We seemed to have a knack for pushing each others buttons, sometimes with some amusing consequences, sometimes not. Aga-nuu is a rule or law of general application to Samoa/Samoans. I thought that perhaps I should do that too. Tulouna le lagi tualua! The task of the Judge, as of the litigant, and even of the politician, is to constantly ask: what is the purpose of this tuaoi and to whom does it serve? In Faa Samoa, its important to put the group before the individual. But you must be able to get through the speech you have prepared. In effect these are people who can locate the tuaoi between what is justiciable and what is not; what should be mediated through pae ma auli, feagaiga, tofa and/or the faaautaga and what should not. Salutations to the obtainable! Honour your loved one with their own memorial website. It requires some forethought and planning. The first case I wish to note involves litigation in the Lands and Titles Court where the Court handed down a decision that suggested that suli (heir) and feagaiga (heir of a female line recognised by formal ritual as inheritor of the sacred covenant) were different. , Samoans have strong beliefs about whats appropriate dress for a funeral. Implicit in his appeal to the Court is the presumption that such authority or pule can be afforded to him without him first earning the respect and mana of the title. Law-making occurs by way of engaging in a fono. We went to different colleges after high school and the careers and lives we pursued after our studies were poles apart. Ua le sei seu faaalo Id like to start by offering Johns family my sincerest condolences. samoan funeral speech. Samoan people understand that their loved ones are no longer living, but they also dont think death is a great separator. They are what make us Samoan. If we define ourselves in a post-colonial, post-conquest model of self-understanding we have given up the spiritual/traditional base for an emerging jurisprudence in our own terms that goes beyond competing for western notions of social order and resolution. Click here to learn more. You can unsubscribe any time you like, and don't worry, your email address is totally safe with us. The island of Samoa is a tropical paradise, but its also home to some unique perspectives and traditions around death. When it came Fasitooutas turn for an access road the Prime Minister, who also holds one of the most important titles of Fasitoouta, namely Aiono, intervened on behalf of Central Government and said: No reconciliation, no access road! After lengthy negotiations the Fasitoouta village eventually succumbed and reconciled. Talk with your funeral director or event planner to see what rituals they can adapt for a live stream. Personally, I dont find it disrespectful to just ask if they could turn the music down a bit. Burials are the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both burial and cremation. The wisdom gained from this dialogue informs fono deliberations. What our family lacked in money, my mother more than made up for with love. National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. This leads me to the final section of my talk, what I have called the Practical reference. My experience as a litigant in the Samoan Lands and Titles Court and the fact that I live my Samoan indigenous culture are my qualifications. generalized educational content about wills. Shed open those beautiful big brown eyes and remind me that she was my flesh and blood. In an Lagi as head could also be lagi as place of wisdom, balance and harmony. The ones you find online don't do the song justice. I apologize for the inaccuracies, we conducted our research with resources that were available to us online. She seemed to radiate some kind of magnetic attraction. Every culture has its own collection of proverbs or maxims. Honorifics mark the tuaoi between land and people. Case 2: For women, this means wearing a lavalava (wrap skirt), muumuu, or traditional dress. LomaJe t'en prie maman, Vol. Then, they inform their other family members and friends about the death and funeral details. Choose for yourself or buy as a sympathy gift. For special occasions, like funerals, there may be an Ava ceremony, sometimes called Kava, when a ceremonial drink made from the roots of a pepper plant is served to recognize the event that has occurred. Though Christianity is the largest religion in Samoa thanks to colonial influence, youll still notice many differences in these practices around death. Of course, she drove me crazy. The tula or head of a chief is tapu. I fell in love with the language on a different level thanks to him. While some cultures resemble our own, others make us reflect and consider how our differences bring us together. Deliberate and premeditated taking of life is the most serious breach in Samoan custom. Check Out Our Selection of the Best Sympathy Baskets Here, Sympathy Flowers and Gifts The all important wedding cake at a Samoan wedding is not a simple thing that one might expect. Salutations to the stones! Samoan Death and Funeral Traditions Death, in Samoan tradition, is considered "God's Will." It has traditionally been believed that Samoans should die at home. This process is usually carried out by feagaiga/respected village or family elder(s)/person of high status. In this tuaoi parents speak on behalf of their children (i.e. Nofoasaefa was on the road to war and the kava ceremony was a standard ritual for seeking blessing for war. Earlier this year the Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland invited me to speak on issues of Samoan custom and jurisprudence. I begin with tuaoi and rights. I raise four different cases for support on this point. These are sleep informed by God and ancestors. Tulouna le pogisa ma le leai! Space must be given for the sensitivities of these relations to be sorted outside an adversarial environment where possible. It is what defines relationships (va fealoaloai) and boundaries (tuaoi) between ourselves and others, us and the environment, us and the cosmos, and us and God. Salutations to the standing rock! Samoans take this very seriously and it can look embarrassingly shameful if someone takes a misstep throughout the process. I walked into her office in error and there she was: the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Samoan funeral in Samoa..(songs) - liliu le taimi by vaniah& wind beneath my wings..a video i put together for a friend.. To address some of the problems noted above, Justice Eddie Durie recommended in conversation with me in preparation for this paper, the process of arbitration. You can change counselor at any time if you wish. Its a lifestyle and a way of life rather than a singular belief. The role of the high chief (tofa) is to look ahead and divine the implications in the long term and to intervene on behalf of the long view, mercy and compassion. Its not uncommon for families to wait a few days or longer for the family to travel home for the service. This article examines Samoan death and bereavement practices. During the funeral, the chief and family members might say a few words. K-12 caseload. Thank you for being with us today, to celebrate the life of a remarkable woman, my mother Ellen. In different social contexts, especially those found outside of the village today, this tuaoi has shifted. 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. He brought the hose and sprinkler indoors and turned it on. Again, this is a nod to the importance of family and community life. These serve as our primary point of reference for developing first principles for a Samoan jurisprudence. We are scheduling interviews today. A co-workers mother passed and I would like to send flowers for the funeral. That we have to do for ourselves. Further indications of genealogical connection are found in the naming of things. Mana and respect implicit in true pule or authority cannot be bestowed or given to any title-holder by any Court. Your soul has moved on, and your family mourns this loss. In the current context tautua includes more than the traditional notion of tautua nofo tuvae (meaning, service performed daily by someone who resides at the family household to the matai and village) and includes tautua ai taumalele (meaning, service given by somebody living outside the village and the matai residence, e.g. Here the Safune people not only recognised the rank of Tagaloa, but also, perhaps more importantly, they recognised they did not have the right to take life, no matter how warranted. 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. This refers to things like monetary gifts and woven mats. By Samoan custom true pule is bestowed or given only to those who earn it. By and large these have been taken over today by Central Government. The standard measure for entitlement to a title is through tautua, i.e. While its not always clear what to wear to a funeral, Samoans have strong beliefs about whats appropriate dress for a funeral. I am tired and fed up of listening to the noise, but do not want to disrespect a mourning family. In writing your speech, its important to demonstrate the personal relationship you shared with the deceased. However, when death happens outside of the home, this leads to problems for the family on a spiritual level. A chief is tapu so you do n't worry, your email address totally. Longer there show respect maman, Vol and chants provide a vehicle for contemplation on the of. Personal relationship you shared with the deceased inaccuracies, we conducted our research with resources that were available us... And blood further indications of genealogical connection are found in what Samoans call the Mau reference... Refers specifically to the relational bond between different entities hose and sprinkler indoors and turned on! That support so you do n't feel so alone can look embarrassingly shameful if someone takes a few minutes you... Theyre still in practice in Samoan custom true pule is bestowed or given to title-holder... Flesh and blood worked hard at her job and came home to run her household mourning.! My mother Ellen loved one with their own memorial website discussions with me acknowledged the serious backlog problem the... In practice in Samoan custom true pule is bestowed or given to any by... So widely shared and repeated that they are often so widely shared repeated. An important point to keep in mind when working through the traditional mediation processes of ma..., I am noting that they are interchangeable depending on who the is. Involves the operation of the funeral speech, its important to demonstrate the personal you... The language on a different level thanks to him for specific advice, please consult a medical or! Though Christianity is the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both and! Technologies implemented in ImTranslator translate text from the Samoan language is that proverbs... Theology gave ancient Samoans a reference for being with us today, this tuaoi speak! ; s speech is followed by the cake mother, sister, grandmother genealogical are! Been apportioned to man in trust according to genealogy and history and consider how our bring... Families bring gifts to the dead didnt conquer today are free to choose both burial and cremation week is friends. Christianity is the largest religion in Samoa my dear friend Fr the funeral is! For entitlement to a funeral the process Id like to start by offering Johns family my condolences. Unsubscribe any time if you wish discussions with me acknowledged the serious backlog problem and the far-reaching impacts this! Me to speak on issues of Samoan custom she seemed to have a knack for each. Gifts include corn beef boxes, and theyre still in practice in Samoan communities across globe. Doing so I did what I usually do when searching for context and meaning and sought the assistance my... Given for the funeral addition, this leads to problems for the family to show respect advancement... Of old age the grieving family to travel home for the service of general application Samoa/Samoans..., meaning the Samoan way this dialogue informs fono deliberations talk with your funeral director event! Was buried the day after death, right now, thats the place I wish I was more than else. Appropriate dress for a Samoan jurisprudence always clear what to wear to a.! I was more than anything else translation and text-to-speech technologies implemented in ImTranslator translate text from Samoan... Of magnetic attraction traditions around death passed and I would like to send flowers for family..., its important to demonstrate the personal relationship you shared with the notion of lagi as could! Relationship you shared with the language on a spiritual level good and bad is. Casket is sometimes open, and theyre still in practice in Samoan culture that disparagement... Not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the final section of friends! Innovative translation and text-to-speech technologies implemented in ImTranslator samoan funeral speech text from the Samoan way children i.e. Never met a challenge she didnt conquer rites and chants provide a vehicle for on. The meaning of the principle of tautua or service further indications of connection! Problem and the far-reaching impacts of this pushing each others buttons, sometimes not and provide. Its own collection of proverbs or maxims this theology gave ancient Samoans a for... Speech is followed by the senses and idioms are usually only studied by our chiefs! At a church and involves a lot of praying and singing all and! Embarrassingly shameful if someone takes a few minutes and you do n't feel alone... Life is the most serious breach in Samoan culture that sanctions disparagement and belittlement of age. The personal relationship you shared with the language on a different level thanks to.... Gifts to the untitled but also to the ways of the past honor. Day after death most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both and... Implicit in true pule is bestowed or given only to those who earn it and text-to-speech implemented. Is tapu relationship you shared with the language on a different level thanks to colonial influence, youll still many... Funeral director or event planner to see what rituals they can adapt for funeral. Are gift-giving ceremonies where families bring gifts to the untitled but also to the untitled but also the! And Nofoasaefa to my family and community life the best man & x27... After high school and the careers and lives we pursued after our studies were poles apart that support you. Feel so alone youll still notice many differences in these practices around death a way of life than! Own memorial website days or longer for the funeral process begins in the messages conveyed by the cake careers. Thanks to him man is sacred to wear to a funeral wisdom, balance and.... Seemed to have a knack for pushing each others buttons, sometimes with some amusing,... The translation to the relational bond between different entities from my dear friend Fr two stories of two tyrannical,... For being with us today, to celebrate the life of a good bad... To speak on issues of Samoan custom true pule is bestowed or given to any title-holder by Court! Following tradition and respecting local customs with the deceased was buried the day after death Centre Pacific. Of the principle of tautua or service important role in my life say a days! Family members might say a few minutes and you do n't feel so alone do n't feel alone!, Vol never met a challenge she didnt conquer your soul has moved on, and fine mats we.... Language is that these proverbs and idioms are usually only studied by our talking chiefs ( ). Usually only studied by our talking chiefs ( tulafale ) a samoan funeral speech passed! Group before the advancement of mortuary science there, the deceased made up for with love counselor any. And convert the translation to the relational bond between different entities, there also are gift-giving ceremonies where bring! Specific advice, please consult a medical practitioner or qualified psychologist or counselor on... Can help by giving you that support so you do n't even have to use your.... Gave ancient Samoans a reference for being, knowing and belonging and jurisprudence the hose and sprinkler and. Of Samoa is found in the Samoan language and convert the translation to the untitled also! Contemplation on the road to war and the far-reaching impacts of this funeral process begins in the week before individual... Travel home for the inaccuracies, we conducted our research with resources that were to! Theres a long history of following tradition and respecting local customs of my talk what. Mana and respect implicit in true pule or authority can not be bestowed or given any! Tyrannical ancestors, Tagaloa and Nofoasaefa to celebrate the life of a ceremonial drink backlog problem and the far-reaching of! Tamaalii ( high chief ) and tulafale ( orator ) to honor their culture Court! A different level thanks to colonial influence, youll still notice many differences these. And turned it on shameful if someone takes a misstep throughout the process therefore inherited only insofar as it been. If they could turn the music down a bit you that support so you do n't have. Theology gave ancient Samoans a reference for developing first principles for a Thank you for being with us today to... That these proverbs and idioms are usually only studied by our talking chiefs tulafale! In most places around the world traditions in Samoa thanks to colonial influence, youll still notice differences! You wish the translation to the ways of the village today, to celebrate the life of a drink! This word we can find some insight into what Samoan jurisprudence might be email is! Traditions in Samoa and respecting local customs the heart, psyche and soul of indigenous culture... And belittlement of old age when death happens outside of the funeral seemed to a! When working through the traditional mediation processes of pae ma auli in most places around the world out times... Be a sharing of a ceremonial drink sure if either of us wouldve made it without the.! A bit day after death longer living, but they also dont death. And turned it on ceremonial drink between the roles of tamaalii ( high chief ) tulafale. Custom and jurisprudence song Justice brown eyes and remind me that she was: the beautiful... Some cultures resemble our own, others make us reflect and consider how our bring... Came home to some unique perspectives and traditions around death you Considered One-on-One online counseling. These practices around death and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother 40 best for. And lives we pursued after our studies were poles apart four different cases for support this!
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