MEASINA

TAPENA SOU ŌSO MO LAU MALAGA 2020

The key events of gift giving in the FA'ASAMOA:

A*o Lona Tolu (Day 3): FA’AMĀLAMALAMAGA (making a man’s intentions known to the woman’s family)

In the modern age of dating, men and women don’t have to go through the hassle of a whole community involved in marrying off a MANAIA to a TAUPOU.

However, in our grandparents (depending on how old you are) and ancestors’ times, a young man rarely, in the first instance paid his addresses directly to the woman of his choice. Presents of food was taken to her by his family members and friends. This was a proposal to the parents of the girl. Usually, the girl has to agree if her parents are in favour of the proposal.

All parties consenting, wedding preparations commenced. This would take months as both parties start collecting various kinds of property.

The bride’s family would have to raise IETOGA and SIĀPO (fine mats and tapa). This is the dowry for the groom’s family.

Similarly, the groom and his family would be collecting ‘OLOA or goods such as food and livestock.

If the bride and groom were people of rank, the wedding would take place in a MALAE (an open front yard of a meeting house - usually of a high chief).

Now it is not all that straightforward. Sometimes, a proposal could be rejected. If that happens, the young man’s family would return home, work on their tactics, take some other people and off they go again. If that doesn’t work, they would come back and take more people who are of higher rank. Each time, gifts or food must be taken!

Samoans would not go anywhere without a gift or present for those they’re visiting. Not only it is the right thing to do, but it also shows that you are well-versed in the nuances of the Samoan traditions. Usually, the recipients would say, don’t bring anything next time, i.e. SE AUA LE KOE AUMAIA SE MEA. As they say, ON A OE UCE. Just keep calm and carry on! It is better to prepare because when we go to places near or far, speak and express ourselves, we represent our parents, families and communities.

During this VAIASO O LE GAGANA SAMOA, we hope that we are mindful of all the different ŌSO for our travels. It could be a service or act of kindness that will really make someone else’s day. As one proverb we are familiar with goes, O LE TAMA A TAGATA E FAFAGA I ‘UPU MA TALA (A child is fed with counsel and wisdom unlike birds’ offspring that feed on flowers).





Song Credit: Here is a PESE AUALOFA. Usually sung by a man to his future wife as a glimpse of how sweet and romantic the future is like with him. One of our all time favourites by the absolutely incredible PENINA O TIAFAU

Video Credit (our very own Filipino drama) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFsl8RGM-eE

TAPENA SOU ŌSO MO LAU MALAGA 2020

The key events of gift giving that transformed the FA'ASAMOA:

A*o Lona Lua (Day 2): ‘ATO ĀU

TAEMĀ and TILAFAIGĀ (twins), were goddesses of the tattooers. They swam from FITIUTA (Manu’a) back to the village of FALEĀLUPO. On their way back, they brought a gift, the TATAU tool kit or ‘ATO ĀU. Upon leaving FITI, they were commissioned to sing all the way, TATTOO THE WOMEN, NOT THE MEN.

They got muddled over it in the long journey when they saw a clam. Instead of continuing their journey, they dived to get it. When they emerged, they were singing, TATTOO THE MEN, NOT THE WOMEN, hence the universal exercise as we know now.

The story continued that the girls went and saw a man named ‘AUVA’A and gifted him the ATO ĀU. According to some historians, because he didn’t know how to use it and with what designs, he asked the twins to demonstrate it on him. Unfortunately, ‘AUVA’A didn’t have anyone to pass the tattoo kit on to so the girls took it to LAVEA but he rejected.

It was when the girls reached the village of SALELĀVALU that they met SU’A. The Su’a family as many know now is one of the two families that can carry out the traditional tattooing. TULAU’ENA is the other!

TULAU’ENA’s tool kit was from the SU’A family. It was an acknowledgement of TULAU’ENA’s hard work and service (TAUTUA MATAVELA). When the tool kit was gifted to TULAU’ENA, the words were: O LE Ā FALE LUA IA TE OE AIGA meaning, from now on, you are one of the only two families that can carry out this vocation!

This leads to the honorific salutation of the master tattooing families: Susu mai lau susuga Su'a. O le Maopū a Nafanua. O le tupu na tausi. Ma le fale lua o le tou aiga. O oe o le tama o le mavaega.

Knowing our people, we have numerous versions of the same story. Some agree with the above and some don’t! However, the main outtake for us here is whether the versions are different, they arrive at the same point. That point carries a compelling message. That is:

All that we see and witness today regarding one of our most sacred MEASINA (treasures), the TATAU, has a rich and long history. It came down to a simple gesture; GIVING.

As we celebrate this VAIASO O LE GAGANA SAMOA, we hope the simple ŌSO or gift of kindness and of giving we offer others will enrich their lives abundantly and bless ours too!





Song credit: Golden Alii
Video Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVT8-G19rtE

TAPENA SOU ŌSO MO LAU MALAGA 2020

The key events of gift giving that transformed the FA'ASAMOA:

A*o Muamua (Day 1): Christianity

During this year’s Samoan Language Week (and being on lockdown at the same time), we have had time to ponder the theme for this year: Prepare Yourself A Gift For Your Travels.

It is written in our history, the stories of gifts presented by travellers to those whom they have gone to visit. Even in these present times, (this tradition of gift-giving whilst it is not exclusive to Samoan people), we are always reminded and have become accustomed to taking a ŌSO (gift) when we travel.

Samoans emigrating would take UMU, fish, and other traditional gifts for their families overseas. Likewise, those travelling from overseas to Samoa would take presents and shopping for families waiting at home.

Throughout this week, we will focus on one fundamental “gift-giving” historical event (daily) that shaped our culture and traditions.

Today, we remember when Christianity arrived in Samoa and how it changed our lives ever since! Many believed that when Malietoa Fitisemanu pleaded with Nafanua (the goddess of war) for a head of state for his government, Nafanua had none left! Instead, she told Malietoa to await one from the heavens.

A few years later, Malietoa Fitisemanu’s son, Malietoa Vainu’upō took the arrival of Missionary John Williams in 1830 as the fulfilment of Nafanua’s prophecy.

As we reflect on the theme of this week’s GAGANA SAMOA, it was the gift of the Bible and Christianity that John Williams brought to Samoa that transformed our people’s way of life. It became the cornerstone of our political system and upbringing.

The significance of this gift is witnessed in our homes in the morning and evening when we have our LOTU (morning and evening prayers) and on Sundays when we attend a church service. It is also seen in every village as we walk or ride past a village with many church buildings; a constant reminder that Nafanua’s gift to Malietoa Fitisemanu’s travels will long prosper in the way we live.

As we celebrate this week, we hope that the gift we give others during our daily travels positively impact them and fulfil ours.

Feiloa’i i le a*o a taeao mo se isi faaopoopoga - catch you all tomorrow for another addition to the gifts that shaped our culture and traditions as we navigate a world of infinite crossroads.

Here's a song that is synonymous with Christianity and the translation of the English Bible to Samoan.

We do not have the rights to either the video or the song.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAQ-Qp-Lzq0
Song Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4OvskjNn14