Because of this incomplete fastening the term: 136. Whats with the custom of washing the body every 6 months from the grave. Coral blocks have nothing to do with the preparation of masi. A council meeting in which no decision is reached. This extensive process marks the formality of the situation with the acceptance of a new titleholder as well as a possible tulafale into the family and village. It is then difficult to find the runner that has the edible root. Now Streaming Week 4: The Crown. By exerting slow pressure on the scraped bark of the 'o'a tree a reddish-brown dye is obtained. Lani Wendt Young, Telesa: The Covenant Keeper. ", "Sympathy is a little medicine to soothe the ache in another's heart. Upu vivi'i referring to a small but influential family or village, a calm but momentous speech and to similar circumstances. Loss is too significant to mend itself, but not even death can take away the 189. 60. The fish seems to do the will of the tautai (chief fisherman). O le i'a ua lata i le loto. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Gathered into a flock from different parts of the forest. 50. The death of the head of the family, on the other hand, is considered a great loss. 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. It is more difficult to make the shaft, pa, than the hook, maga; therefore, the pa is more valuable. Upu fa'aaloalo or vivi'i referring to the speech of a high chief or a tulafale who brooks no contradiction. The trunk-fish moamoa moves very slowly and is easily caught. To join another at his meal like the crayfish. Only one, but worth a thousand. Pa'au is the name of a piece of land and a lagoon between Vaisala and Sataua, Savai'i. 177. A beautiful Samoan quote about love meaning that brothers protect their sisters. A Samoan proverb meaning some people will compliment what you have because they want it. Let each plant two taros in a particular spot. Fa'atilotilo masae. The softness of the octopus. The roots are edible. Sinasegi, the daughter of the Tuiaana Fa'apilipili and his wife Sinalaua, went fishing one night on the reef of Falelima. I am a man who must obey orders. A piece of forked wood standing on the outrigger. The saying is used by a speaker as an apology for having, in the heat of the discussion, offended one of his listeners or for having unintentionally omitted one of the set forms of speech required by Samoan etiquette. 49. The undertaking was miscarried because of someones error. Birds were caught either with a hoop-net or in a cage in whose open top the decoy bird (manutagi) was fettered. Everyone grieves differently and for different periods of time. 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. O le faila tu i le ama a'u nei, i.e., don't mind me; I am standing outside the canoe. E a le uga i tausili, 'ae tigaina fua le atigi alili. The papata crab has not yet smacked her lips, i.e., has had nothing to eat yet. When the lo appears, Samoan custom requires the family of the husband to present a number of these fish to his wife's clan. Everyone dies, but it can be particularly painful when a loved one who was particularly good to us passes. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. For a Samoan to be chosen as a respected tulafale, he or she participates in a special ceremony called a saofai, whichhappens only when the family discusses and comes to a consensus. 178. Mounting anger over the weekend reporting of the death of a Samoan transwoman in Apia has spilled over into New Zealand with prominent transrights campaigner Phylesha Brown-Acton saying the Samoa Observers coverage has left her absolutely disgusted, reports Gay NZ. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases. Patupatu amo fale. A paddle lying on this half deck may easily fall off. 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. 3. Don't be overhasty. Aua e te fagota i le sao. Fa'atauga'o'a. 148. Even European building material is rarely used in the construction of native houses. From the bodily warmth of the one who sits or lies on it. Popular Origins. Upu alofa to express sympathy for one who is pursued like the bonito. ", "Life is not separate from death. The fao is a nail, a drill, or a gouge used in making the holes through which will be threaded the sinnet that ties the planks. They may resume fishing, however, a little while after the new net has been tried out for the first time. Today. E fa'apupuati le gase. Often one hears this saying at the reception of guests. We must be of one mind in the undertaking. The visitor, too, may use the words but in a negative sense: Ou te le to'ai fa'a i'a a po, i.e., I do not come secretly like a fish in the night, but I am here to meet you all, to converse with you, to tell you my wishes. E sa'olele le tuamafa i lou finagalo. The space between the huts at the ve'a hunt. Upu fa'aalualu. 3. The saying is used in a fono (council meeting) by an orator who interrupts another speaker or who wishes to express a different opinion. At this very moment a fish (malauli) happened to jump out of the water and, with one swoop of the net, Pepe caught both pigeon and fish. Thus says the leader at the termination of the hunt when the tia is not to be used for some time to come. 34. In vain rejoices the drill plate when the drill point is broken. 173. The latter are caught with a small fish-hook. Ua tu'u i tai le va'a tele. Ia a le puga, a le 'ana, or la a le puga niisi, a le 'ana niisi. You love them because of the way they meet their challenges, how they struggle to overcome. 100. Its used to describe someone who has no fixed abode. 193. The tia are close together but it is long way from one to the other. Upu taofiofi. It is, therefore, compared to a quarrelsome person. This is the order given by the leader when the hunt is to be terminated. Samoan culture has both ancient and contemporary components to it and these provide the background for its funeral traditions and customs. In Tutuila the sea birds that rest exhausted on the cliffs are caught with nets without the aid of decoy birds. O le fogava'a e tasi. Ua mu le lima, tapa le iofi. 137. 122. 117. Some maintain that ufu is the name of a certain fish and paipai the substance secreted by it. Translated into English by H. Neffgen, Govt. 129. Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa, is an Oceanian country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The tautai may not refuse him. Do not enquire too deeply into the things which do not concern you, e.g., the affairs of another family (aua e te sagolegole). 159. The igaga is only a tiny fish. Often a somewhat inferior object is chosen for such a presentation. Upu faifai. Upu fa'anoanoa: expressions of repentance and remorse. E gase a uluga. One night two women planned to go fishing with torches on the reef. The same figure of speech is used when the offspring of a noble family has been adopted by another village and honoured with a matai name. Before bird-catching an offering should be made. Fa'afanauga a laumei. Should such a bird fly over the tia, it will be ignored by the hunters as only pigeons are wanted. Profitless is the turning of the drill plate, whilst the drill goes on eating through (the wood). O le va'a si'i vale la'u lauga nei. We need a bigger gun." 9. Nafanua, the war goddess, dwelt in Falealupo, Savai'i. The papata crab had born a child and there was much rejoicing among the relatives. Having foolishly got into trouble he is asking for help. Upu vivi'i: An enterprise conducted with zeal and care. The whole contraption is known as matau, or more simply, pa. To polish the pa, pieces of coral are used: the rough kind called puga, as well as the softer 'ana. The Polynesian drill, on which the saying is based, must be considered as an entity, the plate having as much to do with the work as the drill itself. Change Language {{#items}} {{local_title}} Jesus Death, Resurrection & Return. They are shouting together as at the tern hunt. (Samoan Proverb) The grasshopper flies about, but the kingfisher watches him. The king is dead, long live the king. This Samoan expression literally means like grass by the roadside. Upu fa'amafanafana: comforting, consolatory expressions. A pigeon caught in the sight of all. So it is with governmental power. A tattooer who has a job to do will, on the previous evening, put all his instruments into a container (tunuma). The Samoans say that the greedy heron eats all the fish it catches and brings nothing to its family. For the chase it offers only feathered game. Compare also Nos. Ua sanisani fa'amanuao. See also the following. 96. The pigeon of the early morning. Upu fa'amaulalo and upu faifai. The big net has been spread out in the sea. The most frequently used and best beloved embellishment of the language to which the orator resorts, is the muagagana or alaga'upu. As the fish take to flight by jumping out of the net, they are caught in small hand nets (alagamea). Malu i puega. 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 . The funeral service is typically at a church and involves a lot of praying and singing. At last her brother returned, but he had caught nothing. It is actually used as a request to be respectful. Failure to do this is particularly troublesome when the little fishes appear, because they will be chased by the big ones and, at the same time, they serve as free bait for the fishermen. The evil a man does, lives after him. The paddle lying on the deck of the fishing boat. Upu fa'amafanafana referring to a disunited family or village community whose reconciliation is at hand. The protection afforded by a house built of breadfruit wood. Fetu'una'i muniao. To look, like a fish, for a hole in the net. (LogOut/ When a crab is caught it is pierced with its own leg. From this we have the saying: O le fa'afiti a tautai. The shell, then, has to sustain the fall while the crab itself gets off unhurt. Ia oloolo pitova'a. The canoe used for bonito fishing (va'aalo) is small. An orator who digresses from his topic and speaks now of this, now of that, so that no one knows what he wants to say (fa'a le maua se tonu) is compared to the ise fisher who swings his net in every direction. 2018;7(Suppl 1):AB016. They appeared not in Saua; they appeared not at the drying of the rigging. Blessed is the moon; it goes but it comes back again. Coconut milk was usually given to the birds. It is also used as an upu fa'amaulalo: Fa'amolemole, ai a'u nei ua ou le seu fa'aalo. Let each do his share of the work. (Samoan Proverb) The knee (A copy is in the Alexander Turnbull Library.). v. Buelow and Kraemer give the following explanation: The one dances about and wastes his time with useless things, whilst the other by persevering efforts goes straight towards his goal. Euphemisms for Dead, Death, and Dying: Are They Helpful or Harmful? It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. After a while it will grow exhausted and surrender to its fate. By Chris Raymond 65. When two men are in partnership, they must be of one mind. (LogOut/ O le lupe na seu silasila. 91. The modern firearm has put an end to the old Samoan sport. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). 94. Gifts include money and fine hand-woven mats (usually for display only and then rolled and stored). ", "Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names. To use thatch a second time. Refers to the weeds growing between the houses. Let each one smooth his part of the boat. When the plant sprouts once more, the tuber can still be used; but as soon as it has new leaves, the tuber becomes uneatable. Polata, however, is not very durable and the ribbon tore time and again. (The fable evidently owes its origin to the fact that the sea cucumber's anus may easily be mistaken for a mouth.). If a visitor comes to the faimea to get a fish-hook, the latter should empty the receptacle completely and not niggardly hide a hook. Ua fa'anoa fua le matulau i le faanoa a gatala. Ua ta i matau, ta i ama fa'alamaga ise. Upu faifai referring to a meddler or a slanderer who endangers the peace of a family or a village. Fagaiofu goes fishing first. From Fagaiofu the lo travel to Falelatai and then along the coast to Manono. The city is located on the central north coast of Upolu, Samoas second largest island. They are all of one mind. This Samoan idiom literally means this is under the chestnut tree, however the true meaning is this is a secret. Ua 'ou seuseu ma le fata. Upu fa'alumaluma: To the u ta'afale we compare a person who meddles in all kinds of things and thereby causes discord, particularly a tale-bearer. I have developed a Samoan mentality. A hunter who catches many pigeons rejoices in his shelter. Proverbs and folk sayings about death, grief, and mourning from a variety of cultural traditions can sometimes speak the words you are unable to express yourself. All Rights Reserved. By manu vale is meant any bird other than a pigeon. Upu fa'amafanafana. Ua le se'i seu fa'aalo. 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, Upu fa'amaulalo signifying that a person is unwilling to vouch for the correctness of his report or the unalter-ableness of his opinion. What Can You Expect During End Stage Lung Cancer, Inspiring Poems About Death, Grief, and Loss, How Anticipatory Grief Differs From Grief After Death, What Loved Ones Should Know About the End of Life, How to Write a Condolence Letter or Sympathy Note, Addressing the cultural, spiritual and religious perspectives of palliative care, "Say not in grief he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was. The Fijian met with failure, but the Samoan caught many fishes. The deck of the large double canoe is roomy and able to carry heavy loads. ", "What you give for the cause of charity in health is gold; what you give in sickness is silver; what you give after death is lead. 105. 10. The tulavae is a portion of the fish net made by one person, as explained in No. Type-written copy. He has two mouths like the sea cucumber. Some manutagi have the bad habit of driving the wild birds out of the cage before the hunter has had time to catch them. Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC. Upu faaalualu. Se'i muamua se fa'asao a manu vao. Someone who comes to grief as a result of their own actions O le ia itiiti le igaga. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The sega is a tiny parakeet, the only bird of the parrot family found in Samoa. Chris Raymond is an expert on funerals, grief, and end-of-life issues, as well as the former editor of the worlds most widely read magazine for funeral directors. Lefao's pigeons are counted (i.e., the contest is ended; I am the victor). One of the best Samoan sayings about family meaning, in the face of adversity, only family will truly be there for us. Upu fa'amaulalo, fa'anoanoa or alofa referring to a person who has neither home nor family. Fa'aui lau lavea. If the apprentice passed the test, the carpenter said: Ua vela lana umuhis oven is hot. Literally: When it is felt toward the sea, it is felt toward the land. (Kraemer II, 416, says the unavau is the poisonous stage of the pelupelu.) Funerals are flooded with gifts for the family. The barracuda that sleeps apart. The meaning of the saying is the same in both cases. O le upega tautau, ae fagota. Upu fiafia used at the reception of relatives, friends or guests. Upu fa'amaulalo meaning: If I have caused some trouble, such as a quarrel, I must try my best to set things right. Samoan The person who has burned their fingers often asks for tongs. When fishing for ise we swing the net sometimes to the right, sometimes to the left. Upu fa'amaulao: I am inferior to you. Upu faanoanoa or alofa referring to a person who has come to harm through anothers fault. This phrase is used to describe someone whos will is stronger than their body. E a sipa le lama, 'ae fano malolo. When it tries to climb over rocks and tree trunks, it frequently tumbles down. Inspirational Samoan Quotes & Sayings. 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. Mocking words applied to a boaster. Proverbs offering support include: Some cultures view death as a very part of life on a larger continuum. The wild manutagi, hearing the call of the decoy bird, approaches gradually by hopping from tree to tree, before it enters the cage. 48. A logo tai ua logo uta. Look before you leap. The crab dies by its own leg. It exists no longer. A fishing expedition may have no success, but a suspicion usually has some ground for it. The figure is taken from the work of the boatbuilder setting a plank. The falling of a ripe coconut. In Asau, Savai'i, the soil is very stony. When the boatbuilder does not find a suitable plank, he shifts the one at his disposal back and forth, vainly trying to fit it in place. Apia, 1906. The word manuia is used to wish somebody well with anything at all, and can be used to say goodbye as well: According to Kraemer the hunters climb the rock and kill the sleeping birds or seize them with their hands. Grief is painful, and at times you may feel as if your heart is literally breaking in two. Further discussion is then superfluous; the matter is settled. Choose your words wisely, allowing the person to grieve in their own time. 123, 201. This refers to a mishap that befalls several people at the same time. Si'i le matalalaga. 25. The top and the bottom are turned back and forth. He who wishes to avoid Scylla falls into Charybdis. One is unsuccessful because of weakness, stupidity or for other reasons; the other meets with success. She simply came to sponge and, sitting by the mother, she smacked her lips covetously until she was reproved for her unseemly behaviour. Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Matalaoa suspected him of having illicit intercourse with her brothers wife, so she watched him and found her suspicions confirmed. 125. E le aia puga i le masi Below Ive listed famous Samoan quotes, common Samoan proverbs and inspiring Samoan sayings as well as their meanings in English. This gift is known as tu'u malie or payment for the shark. See you later. 171. O le i'a a vai malo. Nevertheless, Ulumu could not help protesting against his opponent's unsportsmanlike behaviour, but the latter tried to sooth him with the words: Sau ia, ia e fa'amolemole. A fourth arrow for emergencies lies behind the hunter and may be shot in any direction. There is a lou (harvesting pole) for every crop. Before the advancement of mortuary science there, the deceased was buried the day after death. Her family repay the gift with siapo (tapa cloth). 79. When a Samoan has to do manual work, he takes off his lavalava and puts on a girdle of ti leaves. A decision made at night may be changed in the morning. Proverbs can often describe feelings you're unable to express. Sometimes a bit of humor can be a blessing during deep grief. The chiefs Lefaoseu of Atua and 'Ulumu of Tufutafoe were going to have a competition in pigeon snaring. When the members of a family are fishing with their net another person will, perhaps, put to sea and join them in the hope that he will get his share of the catch after having assisted them. The barracuda that tears off the hook. Ua sasagi fua le livaliva, 'a ua gau le matavana. 19. This pictures a fisher who sits in his boat on a dark night and is startled by the sudden appearance of a shark. The stroke of the mallet miscarries because the workman looks away. Ia seu le manu, 'ae silasila i le galu. 158. Fa'asega tu launiu. Mutiagiagi are the four small rafters in the gable of the round end of the Samoan house. The hunting implements are hung up. This Samoan idiom literally means why do you not steer out of the way?. Ia tala mea fa'asolo. 'Ai la'ai fa'avalo. 175. The sail is, therefore, somewhat lowered until it hangs in an inclined position (sipa). Ua solo le falute. Used of a weak, sickly old man. Upu fa'aalualu: Don't rely on your neighbour; let each attend to his own work. The work begins with loosening the rounded ends of the house from the fatuga (timbers to which the purlins are fastened). E tenetene fua le livaliva, 'ae sagasaga 'ai le vili ia. Ua ola a moamoa. Thus also did Vaomua. The saying is also used as an upu fa'amaulalo. A motto characterizing the Samoan who is suspicious himself and often invites suspicion. Only at Neiafu is the trade wind despised. O le upega le talifa. Upu faifai referring to a lazy person or a shirker who will not lend a hand at a job undertaken by the community. Used by someone whose opinion has not been sought. It also refers to elderly or sick people whose days are numbered, but in this case it may not be used in the presence of the person to whom it is applied. (Samoan Proverb) More Samoan Proverbs (Based on Topics) Sin - Friendship - Work & Career - Morning - Night - Birds - View All Samoan Proverbs Buy books and product about Samoan @ Amazon Popular Topics Love Proverbs - Life Proverbs - Death & Dying Proverbs - Success Proverbs - Happiness Proverbs - Friendship Proverbs - View All Topics 8. Someone who comes to grief as a result of their own actions. 73. Pull out the weeds between the ti plants. One day the boys went fishing for their father. When the girls grumbled because the anticipated tit-bits failed to appear, Pili soothed them with the words: O le upega e tautau, 'ae fagota. The Tulafales Role: Samoan Oratorial Traditions for Death and 74. As a request: Ia e alofa, ia e ufiufi manu gase. ", "Death doesn't just look through the book of the old. A decoy bird that keeps away the wild birds. Since the spread of Christianity the saying refers to the repose of the soul after death. The glare of her torch unexpectedly attracted a large number of flying fish that fell into the canoe although it was not flying fish she wanted but a different kind. Its inhabitants had the reputation of avoiding all waste when fishing. The Fijian used bow and arrow; the other fished with a spear like the Samoans. When the lavalava is moved aside by the wind or by the man stepping out, the tattoo becomes visible. 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. 11, 12, 23. O le ala ua mutia, 'ae le se ala fati. (An allusion to the legendary custom in the ancestral home of Hawaiki, of killing shipwrecked strangers.). Faimea are those tautai who are clever at making fish-hooks. Upu vivi'i: A figure of speech for speed.. 174. 166. My speech is like a canoe launched without a sufficient reason. Ua solo le lavalima. This refers to the preparations for the hunt of the manuali'i. Let the Fijian method of fishing remain a secret. 53. Watch. Upu fa'afiti, fa'amaulalo: ou te le toe si'itia le matalalaga. Thank you so much for the extensive info. According to Kraemer the carpenter first daubs the plank with vali, a mixture of earth or lega (turmeric) with water. Upu vivi'i: Traditions, family trees and the happenings of ancient times are not forgotten, but survive among the people. 118. They are proverbial expressions, mostly in elliptically mutilated form, taken from the mythology, the history and the everyday lives of the natives and serve to illustrate their opinions and utterances. The sting-ray escapes, but it leaves its barb behind. If it is used in the first sense, Pratt's translation is correct and the figure is taken from the method of fishing - 164 known as alafaga (Nos. ". (A paraphrase for moemoesolo.). Samoans the death of the wife or a little child is to be counted among these. Mocking words referring to common people who begin to eat before the high chiefs, and to similar cases. Cast it on the big deck. Words to encourage a person to strive after his goal, and not allow himself to be deterred by any consideration or obstacle.
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