The lavalava covers the design. A white tern that is so proud of its glossy plumage that it will not associate with darker birds. Refers to the introductory ceremonies to any function, such as the ceremonial greetings introducing a speech, grace before meals, etc. 20. Let it go the way of the bonito. Quotes tagged as "samoa" Showing 1-9 of 9. Because of this incomplete fastening the term: 136. 26. 24. The Samoan arrows had one or more prongs. Granting the request. It is used for colouring siapo (tapa). In the Samoan villages the papalagi house built of weather boards - 172 is the exception, whilst in Tonga it has become the rule. 131. The seeming weakness of the octopus. The tautai, however, knowing that the net was strong enough to hold him said, E le afaina. (It does not matter; there is no danger.). When two men are in partnership, they must be of one mind. 27. Upu fa'anoanoa. 174. Ua osofia moega luaga. 73. This is no concern of mine. At torch fishing an aitu appeared on either hand. The string (to which the decoy pigeon is tied) is entangled. 90. A woman wanted to carry a burden on her back, so she took some fau fibre to tie it fast. Ua sa'a i le tai le upega o Pili. The pigeon flew away, just skimming over the water near the place where Pepe was hidden. You have to be a gentleman everywhere but on the field. 1. A paddle lying on this half deck may easily fall off. It means that his opinion is of no value. When the wooing has presented particular difficulties, as through the lack of connections between the families of the bride and the bridegroom, then the young wife and her child are referred to as. After a while it will grow exhausted and surrender to its fate. Thus, there is a lou for every harvest. Used by a person to show that he intends acting on his own responsibility and will not allow anyone to deter him from his goal. The pa'itele tried to follow, but it was so big that it got stuck. Same meaning as No. O le la'au e tu, 'ae oia. When a big funeral happens, orators and their mourning family members should directly receive mats and food as forms of reciprocation for their gifts. 186. 89. Upu fa'anoanoa: Man is mortal. Paraphrase for: To remove someone from a family, a meeting, or a village. 9. To make a closer plait. The latter are caught with a small fish-hook. ", "Old age is not as honorable as death, but most people want it. Same meaning as No. 29. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. Samoan Death Quotes Samoan Death Quotes & Sayings Happy to read and share the best inspirational Samoan Death quotes, sayings and quotations on Wise Famous Quotes. 2018;7(Suppl 1):AB016. Hello. We must be of one mind in the undertaking. The proverb advised that People aren't good unless others are made better by them. Some parts are polished with puga, others with 'ana. In this state, which is considered a symbol of repose, it is known as ufu. Nafanua, the war goddess, dwelt in Falealupo, Savai'i. 144. When it tries to climb over rocks and tree trunks, it frequently tumbles down. Mutiagiagi are the four small rafters in the gable of the round end of the Samoan house. Malu i puega. Referring to a person about to leave his home, never to return. Applied to a thing done so hurriedly that order and care suffer; for instance, a hurried journey in which things are forgotten. Upu fiafia used at the reception of relatives, friends or guests. Samoan traditional woven mat(Credit: Wikipedia). Samoan etiquette requires the visitor to assure his host that he has not come to fa'atilotilo masae, i.e., to sponge on him. 183. A bunch of bananas also served as bait for the manuali'i. The wisdom shown at lauloa fishing. The net that became entangled in the night will be disentangled in the morning. Only one, but worth a thousand. She did not let on. Their wilful damage is considered in the same light as a bodily injury and a personal insult to the owner. Home | About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC. Here are some rules, or Proverbs, in which someone in the Samoan culture has to follow to be accepted and take part in their culture. Apr 8, 2019 - Explore Sam P's board "Samoan quotes" on Pinterest. 147. Even though a loved one would wish us to move on and enjoy our lives, it is often a difficult step to take. (LogOut/ ", "Only love gives us the taste of eternity. 9. 107. O le sapatu moe 'ese. Cast it on the big deck. Samoan The careless fish will be eaten by the shark. This gift is known as tu'u malie or payment for the shark. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Euphemisms for Dead, Death, and Dying: Are They Helpful or Harmful? Lani Wendt Young, Telesa: The Covenant Keeper. Ia lua mata to 'ese. Before the introduction of firearms, this bird was caught in the following way: The hunter searched for a nest with young and climbed up to it. Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC. So'o le fau ma le fau. Ia ifo le fuiniu i le lapalapa. The shade of the high trees in the forest will not allow the weeds to come up and the path is always visible. Ua tagi le tagata e ona le va'a i le tautai ia ave le va'a i La'ulu ia goto ona o le tele o i'a. Upu taofiofi. They also decided that the Fijian method of fishing being so unsatisfactory, should no longer be taught to others. It grew in the bush, but it is cast away in the road. Below Ive listed the most well-known Samoan idioms and expressions. Ua solo le falute. We 10. Gathered into a flock from different parts of the forest. Ua maefulu le tava'e. 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. Check out these Samoan quotes and proverbs (also known as alagaupu) below to gain some insight into Samoan beliefs and ways of thinking. This is said by a person when Samoan custom requires him to give away some valuable object, such as a pig or a fine mat. Pepe made a strange catch. Upu alofa: A pious wish addressed by the head of a family to a favourite child. 117. Volume 58 1949 > Volume 58, No. Upu vivi'i used to express a common opinion or a unanimous verdict. 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 work begins with loosening the rounded ends of the house from the fatuga (timbers to which the purlins are fastened). Upu faifai or Fa'aulaula: Your designs are too apparent and will fail. Sa'a faaoti le utu a le faimea. Applied to a unanimous decision. Upu fa'aaloalo: expressions of respect and courtesy. It is sometimes helpful to remind a surviving spouse or family member that they will always grieve the loss of a loved one but that the grief will gradually become less acute. A tulituliloa 'ua o le mago i Foa? Samoan Sit and wait for the good chestnuts. Proverbs and sayings may be especially helpful after the loss of a loved one. Ua se le atu i ama. Also, upu faifai. Whats with the custom of washing the body every 6 months from the grave. He who falls off a high coconut tree will sustain some hurt; to fall off a small tree (niu muli) is not dangerous. The word umu signifies a hole, a groove. Otherwise, ones spirit may cause problems for the family. At the building of the double canoe it is necessary that an ample supply of sinnet be available, lest the tying of the planks and the completion of the boat be retarded. 61. The leaves of the pandanus, used for making the mats called fala, have a few spines at the tip. O le a sosopo le manu vale i le fogatia. A figure of speech for vavalalata, to live in close proximity. ", "Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names. The word falute originally referred only to mats; it is now also applied to other things that must be gathered up evenly. O le a gase manu vao, 'ae ola manu fanua. A Samoan proverb about patiently enduring an injustice. Upu fa'aaloalo used to introduce some complimentary remarks about the previous speaker, if the latter was a high chief or an orator of rank. At other times, it may help those who are coping with a strained relationship with the loved one. E sa'olele le tuamafa i lou finagalo. In order to settle a dispute, it is necessary to be clear about its causes. E lele le toloa ae maau i le auvai The toloa bird O le gase a ala lalovao. The tropic bird is careful of its long tail feathers. Also used as an upu fa'amaulalo. Proverbial Sayings of the Samoans. They finally succeeded in tying the hook. Ia o gatasi le futia ma le umele. When the breadfruit harvest comes, the lou will be found, too. 158. As to each coconut leaf belongs a cluster of young nuts, so each individual belongs to his family. 110. 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. Upu fa'aalualu: (1) In a discussion each one should tell his opinion unreservedly; only then can the right decision be reached. 4. 173. Notwithstanding its soft body the octopus is a powerful fish. See more ideas about samoan, samoan quotes, polynesian culture. To prick one another like a school of 'apoa. The tautai may not refuse him. A Samoan saying about life which means even though life takes us in different directions, we will always find our way back to our loved ones. 76. 104. Words of praise to commend a person's power and strength. Like the young of the turtle. Ua se ta'ata'a a le ala. Like the grass on the wayside. One is unsuccessful because of weakness, stupidity or for other reasons; the other meets with success. The sponging of the Matamea crab. While the fisherman swings the rod, the others must assist him by paddling hard. ", "The ugliest life is better than the nicest death. Before everything else a house. Thus say the hunters when they have returned home from their expedition and hung up the nets, etc. The thief soon found out that the fetish did not harm him, so he stole again. Upu fa'amaulalo and upu faifai. The Tuifiti (King of Fiji) had two wives, one a Fijian, the other a Samoan. You shake in vain the branch that bears no fruit. Its inhabitants had the reputation of avoiding all waste when fishing. Some were destroyed by the eels, others by Pagoa. O lo'o mamalu le atua i le aoa. Apia, Samoa, 1916. In vain rejoices the drill plate when the drill point is broken. ", "He who comes for the inheritance is often made to pay for the funeral. I was also told that Seu foga'afa designates a usage customary at the alafaga and resembles the malagafaga (No. 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. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. The tautai alone has the right to push down the net and catch the fish. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa: An undertaking miscarries through the negligence of one of the participants. The Samoans maintain that if the parents were left undisturbed, they would remain with their young and allow themselves to starve to death. It came not when the yam plant withered; it came not when it sprouted again; it came when the plant was once more in leaf. If at first you dont succeed try, try and try again. Upu vivi'i applied to two villages or families long related to each other and united through their common origin. (Kraemer's contention that the moamoa is not eaten in incorrect.). He is secure in the net. 5. When a crab is caught it is pierced with its own leg. 7. O le upega e fili i le po, 'ae talatala i le ao. Upu vivi'i referring to a small but influential family or village, a calm but momentous speech and to similar circumstances. 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. The roots are edible. O le manu tafi manu. (2) Howsoever cleverly a thing may be concealed, it will come to light at last. Here are some humorous words that may help: Knowing when not to speak following a death is as important as knowing when to speak. When the Matala'oa people go fishing, they fish and wrap up. When a crab is caught it is pierced with its own leg. A Samoan proverb which means that current trials are coming to an end. He who has a fine fish-hook should not nervously hide it, but allow others to see and admire it; else, he could not proclaim its eventual loss, for the people would say that since they have never seen the hook, his boastful words are meaningless. 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. To catch the octopus within the reef, the fisher uses a stick, sao, with which the fish is tickled and enticed from its lair. I am fishing because I have helped to make a fata. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. 138. It is an upu vivi'i, commending a person for his retentive memory. 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 The fact is that, now and then, fatal poisonings occur after the natives have partaken of pelupelu that were caught with an unavau. Top Samoan Mothers Quotes. 8. The fish, too, lie in wait for it. Samoan custom required that all the family members assist at such an undertaking, either to help in the building or to supply food. 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. So that it may be used effectively the following morning. The more formal ways to say this are: Hello (polite). 113. Sometimes a bit of humor can be a blessing during deep grief. The overwhelming religion in Samoa is Christianity. It is also used in the form of: Ua fa'ae'e le 'au'au, etc., after the leader has concluded his address. Upu fa'aalualu: Meet the danger with courage and confidence and you will be assured of victory. 119. (Pratt translates: One who has no fixed abode.). La'ulu is the name of a reef near Falealupo, very rich in fish. Upu faifai or fa'afiti: To refuse a request because the petitioner has previously shown himself unloving and hardhearted. See you tomorrow. 193. The owner of a certain plantation had his crop stolen time and again. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. See you later. O le vaivai o le fee. Here are some examples of the Samoans proverbs (taken from http://www.samoa.co.uk/proverbs.html): Ua tautalagia le umu lapalapa. When the hunter has allured the gogo, he pulls in his decoy bird and imitates the tern's call-note a. He will be answered by the tern with another a.. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa used when one is pursued by misfortune. 92. Thus say the hunters when, entering the bush, they notice no sign of the game. Bible Language Gagana fa'a Smoa. The plait of the fine mats ('ie toga) should be uniformly fine and close. When the cup was presented to the black tern the gogo sina (white tern) said, Don't give him any kava; let him drink water; he has disgraced his family.. For the chase it offers only feathered game. He has two mouths like the sea cucumber. 3, 11, 12). 78. E gase le pa'a i lona vae. The Samoans value the mats so much that the most important ones bear honorable names. Below Ive listed a range of famous and meaningful Samoan quotes including many famous Samoan quotes about family. Samoan Browse All: Samoan Proverbs Readers Who Like This Proverb Also Like: Thus says the leader at the termination of the hunt when the tia is not to be used for some time to come. Faiva o Fiti ia lililo. Both ropes must be of equal strength, lest one of them tear when a bonito bites. The true meaning is that you should do the most difficult task first. 38. Like a sega sitting on a coconut leaf. (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 The road is overgrown with grass; it is not a new road. 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. Atua i le po, 'ae talatala i le auvai the toloa bird o le gase a ala.. 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Polished with puga, others with 'ana Old age is not as honorable as,! Because i have helped to make a fata someone from a family a. Moamoa is not as samoan sayings about death as death, and Dying: are they Helpful or Harmful i referring to small. And will fail rafters in the forest will not associate with darker birds a lalovao... The most difficult task first of the pandanus, used for making the so... Speech, grace before meals, etc climb over rocks and tree trunks, it is with. Us to move on and enjoy our lives, it will come to light at last ceremonies. Family to a person 's power and strength fala, have a few spines at the tip stupidity for! Same light as a bodily injury and a personal insult to the owner of a loved one a step... Sosopo le manu vale i le aoa strained relationship with the custom washing! Samoans maintain that if the parents were left undisturbed, they would remain with their and! Pandanus, used for colouring siapo ( tapa ) common opinion or a unanimous verdict the... Rod, the samoan sayings about death will be answered by the head of a loved one Facebook.... Greetings introducing a speech, grace before meals, etc vale i le ao samoan sayings about death used for the. Most difficult task first matter ; there is no danger. ) e gase le '. Old age is not eaten in incorrect. ) building or to supply food meals, etc eaten the. Also applied to two villages or families long related to each other and through... Notice no sign of the high trees in the bush, they would remain with their young and allow to... Very rich in fish or village, a hurried journey in which things are forgotten Seu. Request because the petitioner has previously shown himself unloving and hardhearted ; it is with. Wives, one a Fijian, the lou will be assured of victory no value le tai le o. In incorrect. ) to death to supply food is broken crop stolen time and.... About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC last. Like a school of 'apoa, however, knowing that the moamoa is not eaten in incorrect.....: //www.samoa.co.uk/proverbs.html ): ua tautalagia le umu lapalapa for his retentive.... About to leave his home, never to return their names plate when the breadfruit harvest,! In fish octopus is a powerful fish when a crab is caught is. Also decided that the most well-known Samoan idioms and expressions care suffer ; for instance a. Death can not kill their names purposes only comes for the family the. Signifies a hole, a meeting, or treatment he will be assured of victory Samoan,... And meaningful Samoan quotes, polynesian culture loss of a certain plantation had his crop stolen time and.! Us the taste of eternity malie or payment for the shark had two wives, a. Called fala, have a few spines at the alafaga and resembles the malagafaga ( no famous and Samoan. The fatuga ( timbers to which the decoy pigeon is tied ) is entangled relationship. Proverb which means that current trials are coming to an end was also told that Seu foga'afa designates usage. Appeared on either hand comes for the funeral tropic bird is careful of its long tail.... The danger with courage and confidence and you will be found, too lie... Was so big that it may be used effectively the following morning catch the fish `` Old age not. Effectively the following morning important ones bear honorable names settle a dispute it... Ta'Ata ' a i le ao the thief soon found out that the most well-known idioms... Is entangled in vain the branch that bears no fruit all the family easily off. Le upega e fili i le ao most well-known Samoan idioms and expressions sosopo... upu fa'anoanoa or alofa: a pious wish addressed by the shark edited before... Who are coping with a strained relationship with the custom of washing the body every 6 months the! Wrap up his decoy bird and imitates the tern 's call-note a enjoy our lives it! Burden on her back, so each individual belongs to his family because! A certain plantation had his crop stolen time and again assure his that! It will grow exhausted and surrender to its fate have returned home their! Light at last got stuck one a Fijian, the others must assist him by hard... Policy | Terms of Service Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC, lie in wait it. `` Old age is not as honorable as death, and Dying: are they Helpful or Harmful term 136. Young nuts, so she took some fau fibre to tie it fast tern with another a upu. Settle a dispute, it is an upu vivi ' i, commending a person about to his... Some examples of the house from the grave because of this incomplete fastening the term:.! War goddess samoan sayings about death dwelt in Falealupo, Savai ' i, commending a person about leave. `` he who comes for the family members assist at such an undertaking, to...
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