I had to ask her out several times before she agreed. For a matai who is a tulafale, or orator, we say, 'Sus mai lau susuga,' plus the title name. My Samoan neighbours have appeared to be celebrating for 3 days now, is this a mourning process do you think? Since Christianity is the most common religion in Samoa, its not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the dead. Given that dialogue relating to death and grief for many Samoans remains in the realm of tapu (sacred) or s (protected), few attempts have been made by researchers of Samoan heritage to. This alagaupu means something like just looking at you makes my heart happy. 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. You cannot afford to break down and cry in the moment. In the first of a series of first-person accounts from the Glasgow summit, she describes what it felt . I told you about my grandfathers api (notebook) full of alagaupu, 3. We went to different colleges after high school and the careers and lives we pursued after our studies were poles apart. For me, it was a feeling of guilt for both of my parents when they passed. "Sweetie, I always thought of you as the ideal woman. Ever see an old Samoan man talking to himself? The overwhelming religion in Samoa is Christianity. In most places around the world, when you die, youre seen as no longer there. Death is simply Gods will, and its a normal, welcome part of life. It requires some forethought and planning. A co-workers mother passed and I would like to send flowers for the funeral. funeral song is often performed by a local musician. Alofa aku. Its like, everybody comes out! Personally, I dont find it disrespectful to just ask if they could turn the music down a bit. without even knowing the Sameli story. He was the mediator in our disputes as siblings and always took the high road, refusing to take sides. Much of the funeral process begins in the week before the funeral. Like when I decided that the patio needed to be refurbished. 48. Just wondering if this is a celebration or mourning so I can react.. Therefore, they celebrate. Youre welcome HGG, it really is amazing what can be found on the web. Im not going to stand up here and tell you that it was all sunshine and roses between David and myself growing up. Thank you so much for the extensive info. A eulogy is about the person who died but it is for the guests at the funeral. There are many more things, like the over-generalization of the word faalavelave, that need to be edited throughout this post and I would encourage you to please do more authentic research or talk with some actual Samoans who understand Faa Samoa and how it works before sharing misleading information. Though these have modernized over the years, many still stick to the ways of the past to honor their culture. Why? 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. as in, Sameli is still very much alive and we know him because hes from my mom and uncles village. Find a Free Sample of Speeches in Every Category Use my free sample of speeches and speech outlines to inspire you and help you craft your presentation in all categories, including informative, persuasive, and various social events! Alagaupu is the Samoan word for proverbs wise sayings or expressions about life. Funeral Poem for Grandparents #1 When we lose someone who has been an important part of our life, perhaps even raised us, many emotions come to the surface. This alagaupu refers to that feeling of not wanting a moment to end. When these clouds pass, they will leave behind le lagi mam (pristine skies) ma soifua maua (a sense of healing and well-being). Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online Gotta love how different some languages are. What each family chooses depends on their own beliefs, budget, and customs. In this guide, well find out. Though Christianity is the largest religion in Samoa thanks to colonial influence, youll still notice many differences in these practices around death. The burial would take place the day after the family member passes to ensure a good death. Saying a funeral speech is not something that should be undertaken unprepared. Ua malumaunu le fogatia, au ua atoa ali'i seu ma o . He always made me laugh, even when all I wanted to do was cry. Required fields are marked *, CALL: (415) 431-3717Hours: 9AM-5PM PST. People give the family ceremonial gifts known as faalavelave. The best curated, affordable domains for sale in niches that can be quickly developed and monetized. Samoan is a Polynesian language spoken mainly in Western Samoa and American Samoa, and also in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. He did not march to the beat of societys drum. Every culture has its own collection of proverbs or maxims. What exactly happens during a Samoan funeral? says New Zealand-based Samoan funeral director Nick Bakulich. That also means were witnessing in real time, if you will, the birth of a Samoan alagaupu :). Buy Sympathy FlowersShop Funeral StationeryBrowse Memorial Items. If you want to relate a situation or event that occurred in the deceaseds life, do so tastefully. Please find the links below: http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_58_1949/Volume_58,_No._4/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_139-184/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_35-62/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._2/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_112-134/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._3/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_207-231/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_60_1951/Volume_60,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_1-21/p1. Ua se moo le sosolo This phrase literally means 'he is a lizard crawling' however it is actually used to describe a disobedient person. 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. It might not be necessary to do so explicitly if you are a close family or friend. This link will open in a new window. Some of them are funny. Your loss is so great. I apologize for the long question but would be so grateful for your help! The Moomooga Samoan funeral song may be performed to say goodbye to loved ones. Thank you! Samoa consists of four inhabited and a number of smaller, uninhabited islands. Families would have to reorganise their day or week in order to rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations. Samoan Death Rituals in a New Zealand Context.. Again, this is a nod to the importance of family and community life. She worked hard at her job and came home to run her household. It feels like half of me has vanished in an instant, and Im not sure Ill ever feel whole again. We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service Irene,How about simple names such as:Tautualelei, Tautuamatavela, Faaogalelei, Faaogasao, Faaogamaletonuor Tautuafiamatai and Faaogalemafaufau..LOL. , and theyre still in practice in Samoan communities across the globe. Thats probably what hes doing, too :). Jennifer and I met, two gap-toothed first-graders, on the first day of school ever. This practice can be quite a financial burden on Samoan families particularly if there are a number of funerals in a short amount of time. Ive got a few more posts in the works on our faamatai, so I hope we can continue to be helpful on your journey. For women, this means wearing a lavalava (wrap skirt), muumuu, or traditional dress. Hes special so its just funny. 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. Samoa is an island nation located northeast of Australia and New Zealand. Thank you so much for your feedback! 35 Thank You Mom Messages That Every Mom Will Love. They are divided into 2 categories, chiefs i.e. It's used to describe someone who has no fixed abode. Muumuu are Hawaiian dresses, Samoans dont wear them. traditions have long been a mystery to the rest of the world. As for the loud music and drinking, I guess you could say its a form of celebration. I remember wishing we could stay out there with everyone forever. 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. Now, it is common to delay funerals for overseas loved ones. Flowers and food are acceptable at the funeral and the service usually lasts around an hour and a half to two hours. When I caught her, she had rainbow-colored eyelids, forehead and cheeks. Second, this line comes from the English language saying, the spirit is willing but the body is weakbut the wording of it in Samoan (how its phrased here) is a lot more derogatory. While its hard to believe, nobody really dies in Samoa. which is especially true when that something that happens requires a monetary donation. Thank you for your heart in wanting to share. For information about opting out, click here. A Lavalava is what you wear around the house, to the market casually, or while youre cleaning. Thank you for taking the time to put your work into this. A eulogy is usually the main speech that praises and offers testimonial to the deceased's life. what qualifications did a kamikaze pilot need? The Moomooga Samoan funeral song may be performed to say goodbye to loved ones. This is an example of an alagaupu that came from an actual event and has retained its meaning even though its origin story may have drifted from memory. This is how people pay respect. John taught me so much more than English. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Anava Samoana is Copyright 2022 by Manaui Media Limited. Please share this with everyone and anyone that is interested in this subject. It seems to be a lot of family everyday.. some quiet moments / singing but later evening the music and drinking begins. One important aspect of any culture that doesnt always get the attention it deserves is the funeral customs. Here are some examples of a funeral speech that celebrates the deceaseds life but at the same time expresses the grief of the speaker. Accept. subject to our Terms of Use. It speaks of an interruption to the family's usual schedule. That meant that she had very little time to herself. Facebook. However, the ancient myths also co-exist with Christianity, and this blending of rituals can be seen in funeral customs. 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. In Samoa, mourning your deceased loved one is a way to honor their spirit. In this guide, well find out. But our traditions are vastly different from those in other countries and cultures. Cultural Spotlight: Luhya People of Kenya Funeral Traditions, How to Preserve Your Funeral Roses and Make Meaningful Mementos, Cultural Spotlight: Rwandan Funeral Traditions. Samoa's Supreme Court agreed, ruling that the country's constitution does not give the Head of State the authority to call new elections and that the results of the April 9 poll were valid and . To send flowers for the funeral and the USA celebrates the deceaseds life, do so explicitly if you,..., when you die, youre seen as no longer there funerals include! 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