The thing that made me fall in love with Stephen was his sense of humor. Faafetai tele lava! As for the loud music and drinking, I guess you could say its a form of celebration. We lived far away from each other and Ill be honest, we sometimes went for long periods without talking, which I regret. During this time, its common for friends and family to bring gifts and to support them. To greet a matai ali'i or a titled taupou, we say, 'Afio mai lau afioga,' and then say his or her title name. But wherever she is, I know that shes looking down on me now with those gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful smile. You just never know when the extra ammunition will come in handy..lol. Appropriate dress for funerals is a lavalava (or skirtlike wrap), white shirt, tie, jacket and leather sandals for men, and a pulu tasi (or muumuu) for women. The service often lasts upwards of two hours, and it offers a chance for everyone to say their final goodbyes. Your own understanding of these alagaupu might be completely different from ours, and just as correct. Samoan Death Rituals in a New Zealand Context.. Made in Samoa and grown around the Pacific, Im just a. 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. A few years ago I told you about my grandfathers api (notebook) full of alagaupu that I wanted to study and really understand. 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. Lol. He encouraged them to keep going. Only by dying at home and being buried the day after death with the spirit avoid misfortune. Typically a Samoan funeral can take up to 2 weeks. Facebook. And what instances in speech would this be used? Death, in Samoan tradition, is considered Gods Will. It has traditionally been believed that Samoans should die at home. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal Literally: The work (fishing trip) of Smea is not haphazard. Now, family members often remain in the homeland, and migrant members send them money. She took her role as a mother seriously and did an amazing job of raising them to be the adults they are today. I hope you dont mind me mentioning you in that post. Thats not to say that you cannot show your emotions and grief. Saying a funeral speech is not something that should be undertaken unprepared. Aha, that 400+ alagaupu book is starting to flow, nicely done. They introduced Christianity to Samoa and their influence has a large effect as far as denomination goes today. If you are standing and the person you wish to speak to is sitting, you are expected to bring . His passion for teaching English was contagious. Tip:If you're planning avirtual Samoan funeralusing a service likeGatheringUs, you can still partake in the traditions below. Its ok, e kuai kuai ae ka ke maoga ai..LOL.. This Samoan expression literally means 'like grass by the roadside'. 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. funeral song is often performed by a local musician. 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. E leai se mea e sili atu i lo lou aiga, 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/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_35-62/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._2/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_112-134/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._3/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_207-231/p1, http://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, 15+ Samoan names for your lover (from old Samoan love songs), 7 Reasons you should watch Return to Paradise, Secrets of the Samoan-style pineapple custard pie, Why you shouldnt become a Samoan matai (and also why you should). , Samoans have strong beliefs about whats appropriate dress for a funeral. Samoans take this very seriously and it can look embarrassingly shameful if someone takes a misstep throughout the process. He picked them up when they fell or failed. 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. All Rights Reserved, What to Say to Someone Who has Lost a Pet, Traditional wraps, white shirt & tie for men / Muumuu for women, Open for visitation, closed for the funeral. 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. This refers to things like monetary gifts and woven mats. Will keep in touch..but thanks again to the initiator.. God bless your soul my dear.. You are welcome you are blessed to have the help of your father. Of course, she drove me crazy. Find out what to do and discover resources to help you cope. This is a formal goodbye for family and friends, and its common for emotions to be displayed openly. She seemed to radiate some kind of magnetic attraction. form. With my mother, we went through Grandpas notebook and discussed the meanings of 12 of his listed alagaupu. Malaga = a group of visitors or travelers. My question is what lesson is this used to teach and what are the intended implications of this proverb? While its hard to believe, nobody really dies in Samoa. In this guide, well find out. Our children were the center of Samanthas world. Lol. Literally: When it is felt toward the sea, it is felt toward the land. Johns work ethic influenced me greatly. In fact, I know he would have preferred to spend his weekend resting and relaxing. Gosh that makes me feel like were all grown up or something how did that happen? 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. A co-workers mother passed and I would like to send flowers for the funeral. christian laettner first wife; leaf home water solutions vs culligan; conventions in las vegas 2022. sona jobarteh husband; houston crime rate by race Because they've been where you are now with a funeral speech to prepare about someone special in their lives. 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. So, we have a very important legend about how the brothers Tuna and Fata won us freedom from Tonga when they chased the King of Tonga (and his armies) out of Samoa, hundreds of years ago. Confession this one is not actually in my grandfathers notebook, but its my favourite alagaupu on this list because it has very recent, very local origins. He supported them every step of the way. The Fate of the Human Soul after Death., The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead, Seiuli, Byron Malaela Sotiata. by Jenny Goldade | Feb 24, 2017 | Cultural Spotlight, For Families. Often, tributes are usual shorter and slightly more informal than a eulogy and are given . He made the written word come alive in class. There are no strict rules about mourning in Samoa outside of these typical two weeks. Here are some examples of a funeral speech that celebrates the deceaseds life but at the same time expresses the grief of the speaker. These have evolved from. She would turn her mind to an obstacle and work on it until shed overcome it. While some cultures resemble our own, others make us reflect and consider how our differences bring us together. For me, it was a feeling of guilt for both of my parents when they passed. Samoan is a Polynesian language spoken mainly in Western Samoa and American Samoa, and also in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. What exactly happens during a Samoan funeral? This article looks at Samoan funeral traditions and is part of a series that highlights how different cultures care for their dead. With the passing of a loved one comes the responsibility of making arrangements for their funeral. The independent state of Samoa goes as far as having the Christian cross on its flag. 35 Thank You Mom Messages That Every Mom Will Love. The last thing I imagined myself doing today was delivering the eulogy at my mothers funeral. 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. A good death, in Samoan tradition, is a death that happens at home. It might make more sense to you. He always made me laugh, even when all I wanted to do was cry. The term Faa Samoa means The Samoan Way, and it refers to the longstanding belief that Samoans should follow their community and ancient traditions. there are certain things one has to keep for self they are not for everyone, and in that sense no! *ahem*. Savea was their older brother, who loved them both and did his best to mediate between them. When you sit down to decide what youre going to say in your eulogy speech, there are a few factors you need to take into consideration. Hi HGG and everyone else that will come to read this,It never ceases to amaze me what one can unearth on the internet given; a) a substantial amount of free time on their hands and b) being stubborn (tenacious) enough to filter through every webpage search for the word alagaupu. Its a lifestyle and a way of life rather than a singular belief. My life was better that I could have ever imagined, and fuller that I ever dreamed because of Stephens presence by my side. 20 Messages to Say Thanks for Coming to My Party. Cake values integrity and transparency. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. When she saw how angry I was, she began to cry. Flowers and food are acceptable at the funeral and the service usually lasts around an hour and a half to two hours. As time passed, this is no longer the case for most Samoan people. In Samoan the word faalavelave literally means an interruption. But our Funeral roses are some of the most common flowers to give and receive when a loved one dies. But when I look back on the life weve shared, it was more than worth it. Burials are the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both burial and cremation. From the outset, David stood out as an individual. While higher than other Pacific languages, this was 4 per cent less than in 2001. Ive read and am in total awe of your Grandfathers eloquence.Thank you so much for sharing your Grandfathers wisdom.Love and Blessings. 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!. deliveroo design studio; who is brad marion molly's game 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. All Rights Reserved. Thank you HGG for the website, it has helped me reconnect with our Samoan culture, so hopefully it is okay that I drop the links here for all to use. Your email address will not be published. But I will treasure the years I had with her in my heart for the rest of my life. She worked hard at her job and came home to run her household. Samantha was an amazing woman. This includes deciding who will be saying a funeral speech at the funeral service. Literally: Savea has a leg on either side of the day. Again, this is a nod to the importance of family and community life. They have been shared by those who wrote them to help people like yourself. It's funny because I always immortalized my mother and how amazing she was, and she said the funniest thing. Literally: Friends every day but siblings on bad days. Whats with the custom of washing the body every 6 months from the grave. A good funeral speech starts with an introduction. The way she attacked the obstacles she encountered with such strength and determination was inspirational. Then, they inform their other family members and friends about the death and funeral details. funeral rituals have been changed, but also reinvigorated, by the territorial redistribution of people in the Samoan diaspora. Like when I decided that the patio needed to be refurbished. I hope youre not planning to use it too often. And wed just just sit together, laughing, playing music or sports and sometimes, inevitably, couples would pair off into the shadows to get to know each other even better. Literally: We dont farewell a moon-lit night. These wish for peace in the afterlife and bring peace to families. You had a special man in your midst, and Im cant imagine the depth of loss you must feel. Central to this culture is the Faamatai. 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! We went to different colleges after high school and the careers and lives we pursued after our studies were poles apart. Its not uncommon for families to wait a few days or longer for the family to travel home for the service. EMAIL: WECARE@SEVENPONDS.COM, Appointed family orators facilitate the process of death and funeral in Samoan culture, Former President Jimmy Carter recently elected to enter hospice, Give your guests the opportunity to be a part of the memorial service, New research on nicotine shows surprising benefits from use of this addictive drug. How Do Samoans Bury and Mourn Their Dead? Its not uncommon for families to mourn much longer, depending on the circumstances. He brought the hose and sprinkler indoors and turned it on. As we grew older, I began to see David for what he truly was. 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. Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. 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. e toa E le loto doesnt make sense. Its kind of like if you stub your big toe, your brain will feel it lol. Eulogies typically are from 5 - 15 minutes. As a child, one of the places I felt the safest was in the arms of my father. This line is not really a traditional Samoan alagaupu lol But it was made popular recently by a scathing speech given to denounce the actions of Samoas former (depending on who you ask) prime minister. Failing to do so is seen as a sign of great disrespect. Funerals are flooded with gifts for the family. Funeral, Funeral Speech, Speech Questions, Speech Writing This article continues the question and answer series, focussing on words to say for at grandmothers funeral. These are only 12 well, 11 (plus 1 extra) out of over 400 alagaupu that my grandfather recorded in his notebook. There were times I wished he wasnt my brother. You are a natural writer/communicator, probably like your grandfather. David was a loyal and kind person whod never let you down. Literally: Look out for something for Sameli.

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