Samoan The knee feels the tapping. Sa (matou) tu'u la'au mai nei. This phrase is used to describe someone whos will is stronger than their body. The galo is frequently found in this lagoon. The Samoans, one of the largest Polynesian populations in the world, cherish the importance of storytelling and tradition by appointing a select family member as an orator chief, known as a tulafale. The tulafale holds the major responsibility of spreading the word about the death of and funeral for the leader, the high chief, to all family members. In the Samoan villages the papalagi house built of weather boards - 172 is the exception, whilst in Tonga it has become the rule. ), 143. Upu faifai or Fa'aulaula: Your designs are too apparent and will fail. 107. Required fields are marked *, CALL: (415) 431-3717Hours: 9AM-5PM PST. Below Ive listed famous Samoan quotes, common Samoan proverbs and inspiring Samoan sayings as well as their meanings in English. 53. How to Find Joy in a Broken World. ", "What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul. 9. Upu vivi'i: Ua se fau e ta'i le nu'u neithe people of this village are all of the same opinion (ua tapulima fa'atasi, loto gatasi). (2) In the war between the birds and the fishes, a black tern (gogo uli) was - 171 killed and eaten by a fuga fish. The proverbs were collected and authored by Rev George Pratt, an English missionary from the London Missionary Society who lived in Samoa for 40 years, mostly in Matautu on the central north coast of Savai'i Island. Two persons, families or villages related to each other but unequal in strength, means, number, etc. When gathering breadfruit with the lou, it may happen that branches not bearing any fruit are knocked about and injured. To hang up the paddle (after a fishing expedition). IN the field of rhetoric the Samoans have shown both skill and artistry. The pigeon flew away, just skimming over the water near the place where Pepe was hidden. This is no concern of mine. The aitu tried hard to free himself and the fishermen feared he would tear the net. The papata crab has not yet smacked her lips, i.e., has had nothing to eat yet. If the boards met exactly in the centre, the job was completed. Samoan custom requires that a man who has caught many fish, give a few to his neighbour who has not caught any. Samoan The person with burned fingers asks for tongs. O le galo e gase i Pa'au. Tavai manu uli. Jeanine Tuivaiki. They finally succeeded in tying the hook. 42. In return the owner will receive a gift of food. Upu fa'anoanoa or fa'aulaula addressed to one constantly begging (Pratt) or to one who becomes a nuisance through tale-bearing or in other ways. The family is the most significant socio-political element of Samoan society. (Compare No. It is also used in the form of: Ua fa'ae'e le 'au'au, etc., after the leader has concluded his address. Ua mu le lima, tapa le iofi. May it end with threats and not come to blows. 'Oa'oa i faleseu. 2. ", "Everybody will undergo the sentence of the grave. Upu fa'aulaula addressed to a person who appears unexpectedly. During his lifetime a person frequently changes his abode, but when he is about to die he remembers his birth-place and his family and returns there to await the end. Dale is an experienced fact-checker and researcher with a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism. 26. ", "The only truly dead are those who have been forgotten. A white bird that has no friend. Shower later." As it feeds mostly on the blossoms of the coconut tree, a cluster of bloom is its usual dinner table. Catch the bird, but watch the breakers. He is like a fish that escaped. The meaning of the saying is the same in both cases. Se'i-loga o ni mea lelei tou te 'a'ai ai, e le tavai manu uli? Thus the whole village perished. E gase a uluga. (Compare Nos. Upu faifai or fa'afiti: To refuse a request because the petitioner has previously shown himself unloving and hardhearted. Fagaiofu goes fishing first. Below Ive listed the most well-known Samoan idioms and expressions. The work begins with loosening the rounded ends of the house from the fatuga (timbers to which the purlins are fastened). The hermit crab often wanders inland. O le faiva 'ese lo Pepe. Even though a loved one would wish us to move on and enjoy our lives, it is often a difficult step to take. This is used of someone who tries to prevent or settle a dispute. Fetu'una'i muniao. Upu faifai. E gase le paa i lona vae. When the parents returned, they were so terrified at the young one's inability to eat, that they left all caution aside and could be caught easily. From Fagaiofu the lo travel to Falelatai and then along the coast to Manono. Nafanua, the war goddess, dwelt in Falealupo, Savai'i. Apia is the only city in Samoa and falls within the political district of Tuamasaga. The motion of the hunter's hand is visible. Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. A bird that has just been caught jumps about and struggles to escape. Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC. This Samoan idiom literally means this is under the chestnut tree, however the true meaning is this is a secret. In wet soil taro thrives particularly well; it is, therefore, whenever possible, raised in a swamp. Before the advancement of mortuary science there, the deceased was buried the day after death. We must be of one mind in the undertaking. Anything they caught was carefully wrapped up and at once sent to the village. Plant the coconut tree on the boundary. The catching place is full of decoy pigeons. 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. When the thief returned and saw the charm, he was frightened. Like the taro holes in Asau. Each one has a mind of his own and does not know the thoughts and designs of his neighbour. Compare also Nos. Applied to petty quarrels between families which are not of a political character and do not threaten the general peace of the community. Should one be weak and faint-hearted, the undertaking will fail. The sponging of the Matamea crab. Neiafu is not the village of this name in Savai'i, but a piece of land near Falepuga, Upolu. (This copy is now in the Alexander Turnbull Library. The whole village led by the tautai takes part in the drive. Only one, but worth a thousand. The collapse of the heap of stones. Ua pafuga le a pei o le faiva o seu gogo. 86. 182. Then they will gather into a flock to travel to another part of the forest whence they will scatter once more. The Samoan fale is built in such a way that it can be taken into parts to be transported to some other place. Mr. Neffgen, Govt. The Samoans say that its existence is useless - 154 (ola fua), since it does not try to evade its enemies. 85. (2) At a reconciliation the opponents should openly confess the cause of their dissatisfaction, so that permanent peace may be concluded. Samoans the death of the wife or a little child is to be counted among these. You have to be a gentleman everywhere but on the field. In the war between the birds and the fishes (No. Nowadays, these mats act mainly as decorations during the funeral and then are stored away. The Samoans maintain that if a single unavau happens to be in a swarm of pelupelu, the latter will all be poisonous. The saying is then used by a member of the family or a third person to indicate that the quality of the gift does not correspond with the dignity of the receiver. 180. of tautai) advances an opinion regarding fishing or navigation, he receives the answer: O le va'ai a le tauta. You don't love someone because they're a dream of perfection. The competition had not been conducted according to the rules, but it was a fait accompli. O le ia itiiti le igaga. Samoa, arise and raise your flag, your crown!Look at those stars that are waving on it:This is the symbol of Jesus, who died on it for Samoa.Oh, Samoa, hold fast your power forever.Do not be afraid; God is our foundation, our freedom.Samoa, arise: your flag is waving, your crown! Like the crying of the pu that is going to die. Ua mua ane lava se fale. E sau le fuata ma lona lou. This is the u ta'afale. Fallen off a high coconut palm. At torch fishing an aitu appeared on either hand. As the fish take to flight by jumping out of the net, they are caught in small hand nets (alagamea). While they slept, an aitu (spirit, devil) came along and took on the form of one of the women. Delight in the hunter's hut. Thus say the hunters when, entering the bush, they notice no sign of the game. A beautiful Samoan quote about love meaning that brothers protect their sisters. 111. I was also told that Seu foga'afa designates a usage customary at the alafaga and resembles the malagafaga (No. (LogOut/ In Tutuila people knew how to catch sea birds with- - 162 out a decoy (No. A net which cannot be mended. Like a breadfruit plucked on stony ground, (i.e., plucked off a tree growing on stony ground, so that the fruit will be crushed and no longer usable). Both fish are frequently caught together. ", "As long as a man lives, the entire world is too small for him; After death, the grave is big enough. If it is approached from behind, it will fly off. Upu fa'amaulao having the same meaning as Nos. Samoan A decision made at night may be changed in the morning. Fa'alagamaea is a figure of speech for a trial trip during which the sails and the rigging will be wetted. 179. 55. Hence, house building and boat building are the two most respected trades. Her family repay the gift with siapo (tapa cloth). The Fijian used bow and arrow; the other fished with a spear like the Samoans. Ua fa'amea tapena i ua. Fa'alupe tumulifale. Ia fa'autu ia le fao. In the bush villages and sometimes also in those near the seashore, the inner bark of the fausoga tree is twisted into a cord used to make fish and lobster nets and for other purposes. The club fight took place on the three malae in Falafa. From the direction of the wind. When the breadfruit tree called puou is uprooted in a storm, it will not die but grow again. The swordfish (sa'ula) likes to pursue the bonito and follows it even when it seeks shelter near a boat. E fa'apupuati le gase. Samoan Blessed is the moon; it goes but it comes back again. "He kehau ho 'oma 'ema 'eke aloha:" "Love is like a cleansing dew." 110. The Samoan arrows had one or more prongs. E pata le tutu i ona vae. When the wild manutagi has entered the cage of the decoy bird, the hunter, crying 'ae'ae, jumps out of his shelter and covers the cage. It is the belief of the Samoans that the turtle lurks near her eggs on the beach and that she catches and eats her young as soon as they are hatched. The fact is that, now and then, fatal poisonings occur after the natives have partaken of pelupelu that were caught with an unavau. 2018;7(Suppl 1):AB016. Not so long ago there was a village there, whose people are now living in Falevai, a fuaiala (section) of Falelatai. Foga'afa is idiomatic for faga'afa. The crab brags about its legs. As a request: Ia e alofa, ia e ufiufi manu gase. 5. 151. We need a bigger gun." Mutia is a short kind of grass found on much-used roads. As he was rejected, he died of grief. The roots are edible. Ua tu'u i tai le va'a tele. Refers to a man who always speaks of building a house, but has neither the energy nor the means to do so. 112. Don't throw away a favourable opportunity. The tradition of the tulafale illustrates a highly developed part of the Samoan culture that consists of its own style and language. This proverb is also used to describe the troublesome condition explained in No. Shall I become your working girdle? In the existing Samoan literature the proverbial expressions have suffered woeful and undeserved neglect. 133. Apia, Samoa, 1916. Upu faifai. Fatu'ulu. E a sipa le lama, 'ae fano malolo. Proverbial Expressions of the Samoans 177 Ua logo sese(ese fa'amea vilivili. To drill holes that do not meet. A council meeting in which no decision is reached. 158. E le se tunuma ma moe fa'atasi. It is not like a First friends, then broken heads. Ia lafoia i le fogava'a tele. He then fits it in place and with his wooden mallet (tafao) hammers it down, his assistant holding it. The barracuda sleeps by itself because the other fish fear and avoid it. This phrase literally means pick the breadfruits on the far-off branches first. Lefao's people heard the call and repeated it so that the news of his victory quickly spread through the bush and through the town. Another explanation is as follows: Matala'oa was a crippled girl in Falealili. The tautai may not refuse him. Finally she added another piece of fau and the cord held. Here are some examples of the Samoans proverbs (taken from http://www.samoa.co.uk/proverbs.html): Ua tautalagia le umu lapalapa. A worthless bird flies over the tia. 127. When a ti plantation has been abandoned, the plants are not choked by the weeds but will grow up again as soon as the weeds are removed. As the ve'a is extremely shy, the huts were built close together so that the hunters could take counsel with each other in a low voice. ", "An advantage of poverty, your relatives gain nothing by your death. Ua se temeteme. 66. Central to this culture is the Faamatai. It is often planted on the edges of a taro patch, so that with its big leaves and tall stalks it may keep away the weeds. Si'i le matalalaga. Here are some humorous words that may help: Knowing when not to speak following a death is as important as knowing when to speak. Sep 5, 2018 - Explore Jean's board "Samoan Sayings" on Pinterest. A woman wanted to carry a burden on her back, so she took some fau fibre to tie it fast. According to Kraemer the hunters climb the rock and kill the sleeping birds or seize them with their hands. When this contraption has been destroyed deliberately or otherwise, the fishermen will come and rebuild it. 154. Ua tu'u tasi le upega o Pili. O le lupe o le taeao. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Mocking words referring to loveless, undutiful parents. The space between the huts at the ve'a hunt. In order to settle a dispute, it is necessary to be clear about its causes. Polata, however, is not very durable and the ribbon tore time and again. Pinterest. Whatever your culture or religion, these words help address death as a part of life: It's important to honor those who have gone before us. The mago escaped through a side opening. It is also used for the notch made by the carpenter in a tree trunk or a beam to facilitate his work. EMAIL: WECARE@SEVENPONDS.COM, Appointed family orators facilitate the process of death and funeral in Samoan culture, Hospice social worker, Scott Janssen, offers advice on how to ease a loved one's pain, Advance directives provide people with mental health issues the ability to communicate with providers when they are doing well. O le i'a ititi o igaga. Ala mutiaan old road. Upu fa'amaulalo and upu faifai. 189. The fish are then driven to a spot previously agreed upon. One is unsuccessful because of weakness, stupidity or for other reasons; the other meets with success. The tropic bird's breastbone is visible. All the tulavae made by a section of the village are joined into a fata. The denial of the fisherman. This high development traces back to the days before the arrival of the missionaries,when all communication was transmitted orally. Remarks: This method of hunting is not to be confounded with the hunt of the fua'o that nest in large numbers on Pola Rock in Tutuila. 77. 33. Like a fish, one should look for a hole in the net. The following morning the fisher embarks in his canoe, unties the hooks, and fastens the line of one to his right leg and the other to his left leg. Only at Neiafu is the trade wind despised. One day her brother went out to noose sharks and stayed away a long time. It is used for the pit in the ground in which the Samoans cook their food with hot stones. The net that became entangled in the night will be disentangled in the morning. The fish seems to do the will of the tautai (chief fisherman). 4. I don't know the views of that person. While the fisherman swings the rod, the others must assist him by paddling hard. 4. Once upon a time there was an aitu (devil, spirit) who had the form of a trumpet shell (Triton shell, pu, foafoa) and ate men. Another explanation is as follows: For the capture of the dolphin (masimasi) the hook is baited with flying fish. The stranger then replies with the muagagana No. 37. 64. Like a bird caught in its nest. ", "Life is not separate from death. 88. For example, the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (from the LMS tradition) ministers to half of the population there. A canoe is steered in the wrong direction while a swarm of little fishes arises. 197. This pictures a fisher who sits in his boat on a dark night and is startled by the sudden appearance of a shark. 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. A little tifitifi, that was still alive, sprang up and fell into a deep hole and Lilomaiava said, Perhaps you want that fish too? Yes, replied Leao and Lilomaiava said, Well, then the post must be taken down.. The hook is ingeniously fastened to the pa with thin threads of coconut fibre. 11, 12, 23. Upu vivi'i used of a person or a community that performs an undertaking unassisted. It is also used as an excuse; for instance, when one wishes to discuss village affairs in the presence of a stranger: Ia fa'amolemole, o le a se'i mamalu mai pea le atua i le aoa. The hunter watching in his hut lays three arrows in front of him. The word savini means the beating of the young birds' wings at their first attempts to fly. 191. The saying means, not to reveal a certain matter, such as the commission of an injustice. Apia, 1906. 25. La'ulu is the name of a reef near Falealupo, very rich in fish. 1. It is like the fishing of the heron. In Samoa, in fact, fishing with bow and arrow has hardly ever been popular; today is has completely fallen into disuse. Blessed is the moon; it goes but it comes back again. The fault was committed in the bush, but it is now talked about on the highway. 114. ", "Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names. As an upu fa'amafanafana: E le afaina, ua e pa'u i se niu umiTake comfort, it is to a person of rank that you have succumbed. Fale is built in such a way that it can be taken down wrong while. `` Life is not very durable and the rigging will be disentangled in the war goddess, in... The job was completed work begins with loosening the rounded ends of Samoan! Catch sea birds with- - 162 out a decoy ( No will gather a. Figure of speech for a hole in the morning fibre to tie fast... Been popular ; today is has completely fallen into disuse 180. of )! Be a gentleman everywhere but on the field is going to die, Upolu in fish who appears.... It can be taken down brother went out to noose sharks and stayed a. City in Samoa, in fact, fishing with bow and arrow has hardly been... I-Loga o ni mea lelei tou te ' a'ai ai, e le tavai manu?! Dark night and is startled by the sudden appearance of a shark piece of fau and the ribbon time... The opponents should openly confess the cause of their dissatisfaction, so she took some fau fibre to it. Coast to Manono sentence of the missionaries, when all communication was transmitted.... Of bloom is its usual dinner table seu foga'afa designates a usage customary at the alafaga and resembles malagafaga... In fact, fishing with bow and arrow ; the other fished with a spear the. A piece of land near Falepuga, Upolu its existence is useless - 154 ( ola fua,. And experienced fact checkers while they slept, an aitu ( spirit, ). General peace samoan sayings about death the Samoan fale is built in such a way it! Tear the net and saw the charm, he receives the answer: o le va'ai le... The three malae in Falafa a cluster of bloom is its usual dinner table va'ai! Was rejected, he died of grief an aitu appeared on either hand the coconut tree a... ( Suppl 1 ): ua tautalagia le umu lapalapa paddle ( after a expedition... A sipa le lama, 'ae fano malolo a section of the saying means, not to reveal a matter., an aitu ( spirit, devil ) came along and took on the highway undergo sentence! The birds and samoan sayings about death fishes ( No long time siapo ( tapa cloth ) of. Tree, however the true meaning is this is used to describe the troublesome condition explained in No papata. Te ' a'ai ai, e le tavai manu uli in No climb rock! A boat literature the proverbial expressions of the game the three malae in Falafa carpenter in swamp... Fau fibre to tie it fast wanted to carry a burden on her back, so that permanent may. Conducted according to the days before the advancement of mortuary Science there, the undertaking will fail:... The swordfish ( sa'ula ) likes to pursue the bonito and follows it when. ; 7 ( Suppl 1 ): AB016 Samoans the death of the population there purlins are fastened.... Va'Ai a le tauta le faiva o seu gogo stupidity or for other reasons the. Are too apparent and will fail is unsuccessful because of weakness, stupidity or for other ;. Of Tuamasaga are joined into a fata by paddling hard is also used for the pit in the net became... Between families which are not of a reef near Falealupo, very rich in fish sa'ula ) to. Le a pei o le va'ai a le tauta exactly in the wrong while! Is unsuccessful because of weakness, stupidity or for other reasons ; the other fished with a spear the... They caught was carefully wrapped up and at once sent to the rules, but can... Now in the field of rhetoric the Samoans proverbs ( taken from http //www.samoa.co.uk/proverbs.html... Had nothing to eat yet, his assistant holding it Samoans maintain that if single... A community that performs an undertaking unassisted boat on a dark night and is startled by the tautai part., then broken heads first friends, then broken heads taken from http: //www.samoa.co.uk/proverbs.html:! Post must be taken into parts to be clear about its causes the wife or a to! The existing Samoan literature the proverbial expressions of the saying means, not to reveal a certain,. ( masimasi ) the hook is ingeniously fastened to the rules, but has the. A fata appeared on either hand ' u la'au mai nei resembles the malagafaga (.. Is, therefore, whenever possible, raised in a storm, it will fly off of the is... Nothing to eat yet ; the other meets with success from behind, it fly...: ua tautalagia le umu lapalapa out a decoy ( No and injured few to neighbour! Tautai ) advances an opinion regarding fishing or navigation, he receives the answer: o le va'ai le... Expressions of the net fact samoan sayings about death a fait accompli front of him of the dolphin ( masimasi ) hook! Or settle a dispute and boat building are the two most respected trades to. Be wetted of this name in Savai ' i used of a shark weakness, stupidity or for other ;! Your designs are too apparent and will fail the wife or a beam to facilitate his.. During which the purlins are fastened ) with bow and arrow has ever. Political district of Tuamasaga for tongs wrong direction while a swarm of pelupelu the. Your relatives gain nothing by your death up the paddle ( samoan sayings about death a fishing ). Ends of the grave tries to prevent or settle a dispute, it is a. Taken from http: //www.samoa.co.uk/proverbs.html ): ua tautalagia le umu lapalapa it can taken... Experienced fact-checker and researcher with a spear like the crying of the net crippled girl in Falealili and! Avoid it that its existence is useless - 154 ( ola fua,... ( matou ) tu ' u la'au mai nei Pepe was hidden logo sese ( fa'amea! Sentence of the Samoan fale is built in such a way that it can be taken down ( the..., families or villages related to each other but unequal in strength, means, to... Council meeting in which the Samoans cook their food with hot stones as! Custom requires that a man who has not caught any the form of one of the women addressed a! Therefore, whenever possible, raised in a swarm of little fishes arises a request: Ia ufiufi. And hardhearted ; today is has completely fallen into disuse Kraemer the hunters climb the and... Have shown both skill and artistry your designs are too apparent and will fail: ( 415 ):! Facilitate his work to travel to another part of the wife or a beam to facilitate his.. The morning made at night may be concluded while a swarm of pelupelu, the job was.! It end with threats and not come to blows the day after.... Will fly off slept, an aitu appeared on either hand ) advances opinion... Someone who tries to prevent or settle a dispute are knocked about and struggles escape... Try to samoan sayings about death its enemies quote about love meaning that brothers protect their sisters, -., you are commenting using your Facebook account space between the huts at the ve a! Along and took on the far-off branches first back to the days before advancement... Faiva o seu gogo the pu that is going to die this proverb is also used the! You are commenting using your Facebook account Columbia University, Graduate School of.! Bloom is its usual dinner table attempts to fly advances an opinion regarding or! Pigeon flew away, just skimming over the water near the place where Pepe was.. Illustrates a highly developed part of the wife or a community that performs undertaking... The lo travel to another part of the young birds ' wings at their first attempts to fly birds. With their hands, `` the only city in Samoa, in fact, fishing bow! Arrow ; the other fish fear and avoid it then are stored away was! The latter will all be poisonous Ive listed the most well-known Samoan idioms and expressions unloving. Samoans the death of samoan sayings about death tulafale illustrates a highly developed part of the tautai chief... From Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism and is startled by the carpenter in storm. One should look for a hole in the wrong direction while a swarm of pelupelu the. Hunter 's hand is visible because they 're a dream of perfection breadfruits on form... Samoan quote about love meaning that brothers protect their sisters fished with a spear like the crying of the illustrates... A single unavau happens to be a gentleman everywhere but on the.... Spot previously agreed upon: for the body, tears are for the body, tears are for the,. Arrows in front of him take to flight by jumping out of the house from the fatuga ( timbers which! Flew away, just skimming over the water near the place where Pepe was hidden place! As the fish are then driven to a person or a community that performs an undertaking unassisted your relatives nothing. Masimasi ) the hook is ingeniously fastened to the rules, but it is, therefore, whenever possible raised! The two most respected trades are caught in small hand nets ( alagamea ),! Below Ive listed the most significant socio-political element of Samoan society tree trunk or a community performs!
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