In fact, right now, thats the place I wish I was more than anything else. Just wondering if this is a celebration or mourning so I can react.. The act of breaking the kava cup was an insult against Nafanua and her religion. 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. Our children were the center of Samanthas world. As we grew older, I began to see David for what he truly was. Further indications of genealogical connection are found in the naming of things. dies in Samoa. Full-time. For as I have said elsewhere : I am not an individual; I am an integral part of the cosmos. The measure for tautua is therefore performance the performance of the chief and the performance of those who serve him. Tula means head; fono means formal meeting. Together aga-nuu and aga-i-fanua operated to provide guidelines for interpreting and enforcing the tuaoi between man and man, man and the environment, man and the cosmos, man and God. The assumption was that if Tagaloas mana was divinely originated then the onus was on God to restore balance by determining his fate. I belong to my village and my village belongs to me. But there is a word for law, which is tulafono. 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. We learned from him that, regardless of the task, it was not worth doing if you didnt want to do it properly. Tulouna le efuefu! There are no words I can use to express my gratitude, which I know would disappoint John. I now provide, before concluding, mention of two possible ways forward. Therefore, they celebrate. There are no strict rules about mourning in Samoa outside of these typical two weeks. Nofoasaefa was on the road to war and the kava ceremony was a standard ritual for seeking blessing for war. This practice is intended to protect the mana and mystique of the chief and allow him space and time to dialogue with his God without interruption. Pericles's Funeral Oration ( Perikles hlt die Leichenrede) by Philipp Foltz (1852) [1] " Pericles's Funeral Oration " ( Ancient Greek: ) is a famous speech from Thucydides ' History of the Peloponnesian War. Then, they inform their other family members and friends about the death and funeral details. Moving beyond tuaoi, challenging tuaoi, shifting tuaoi, fixing tuaoi, are all part and parcel of defining and living human life. He supported them every step of the way. In Faa Samoa, its important to put the group before the individual. And even with the little me time she had, she never used it for herself. While its not always clear what to wear to a funeral, Samoans have strong beliefs about whats appropriate dress for a funeral. The best man's speech is followed by the cake. Thinking of the head in this way provides nuanced meaning to the words of our salutations to the nine heavens of Tagaloa chanted in the funeral rites of a Samoan chief. Head of State of Samoa The salutations on first reading speak of lagi as heavens. These serve as our primary point of reference for developing first principles for a Samoan jurisprudence. (forthcoming), Record of the Pacific Regional interreligious Colloquium on Indigenous Cultural and Religious Concepts of Peace and Good Governance, Samoa. We are scheduling interviews today. These are sleep informed by God and ancestors. In ancient Samoan genealogy, land is one of mans ancestors and is acknowledged in the funeral chant by deferential reference to dust, earth, standing rocks, stones and mountain as family. I am tired and fed up of listening to the noise, but do not want to disrespect a mourning family. Salutations to the knowable! The chief and other local leaders begin by performing a ceremony with the family prior to the official service. Again, this is a nod to the importance of family and community life. It is the function of the mind to assess sensory evidence for cognitive meaning. Knowing. Salutations to the ninth heaven! The one for a mother was written by my mother (founder of this website) about her own Mum. It requires some forethought and planning. On the one year anniversary the family is gifted sheets, blankets, bedding as a symbol of laying them to rest. your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable. As a designation from God each person has a right to their portion. vaevae manava, isliterally the sharing of a woman's body to create new life. The question poses itself: How do you determine the credibility or authenticity of a genealogical record? The significance of the head or tula here lies in the coming together of the mind and the senses. There are many benefits to working with Soliant. I believe that we have faith that the best of our traditions are yet to come in this imbalance seeking to heal itself, allowing our imaginations to find a place there (personal communication, Paul Ojibway, 2007). Punishment of these breaches was oso ma le lau, i.e. All present-day speeches have a religious tone, a feature Kees-ing believes characterized speeches even before the introduction of Christianity. The point this leader makes is important here because determining truth in the Samoan Lands and Titles Court requires administrative processes and a jurisprudential reference that can allow for the successful elucidation of truth. Further down the page there are links to example eulogies for all loved ones, friends or colleagues to give you inspiration. This link will open in a new window. Where they may have located that reference they cannot help us make it speak to our hearts. Otherwise, one's spirit may cause problems for the family. (Samoan Proverb) Let the crab take counsel with its leg. The role of the orator (moe) is to exercise authority (pule) and to focus on complexity and context. But as we grew up, we began to understand his wit and laugh at the things he said. The tulafale also leads a special ceremony called saofai, where the family discusses any important decisions to be made about the deceaseds passing, shared stories, and have a feast often using a Samoan umu, an Earth oven with heated rocks, to cook the food. In this setting the young person was in fact able to speak and speak on the familys behalf. Though they still have a funeral and take part in death rituals, they believe this, Now that you understand the basics of Faa Samoa and the concept that Samoan spirits live on, lets talk about specific funeral traditions. This ending point recognises that the tenth heaven is unattainable to humans. Sample remarks for a non-religious funeral "Looking around the room today I see many familiar faces, as well as some new ones. As a small island nation located northeast of Australia and New Zealand, these customs are based on local beliefs, community ties, and influence from the rest of the world. By and large these have been taken over today by Central Government. the relations between title-holders, where with time, respect and service is reciprocated and pule affirmed. The significance of faasinomaga is captured in the belief of ancient Samoans, and of those living today, that Samoans live not as individuated beings but as beings integrally linked to their cosmos, sharing divinity with ancestors, land, seas and skies. In my current exploration of indigenous resources on peace and good governance I have found that these sentiments of belonging and sharing divinity with ancestors, lands, seas and skies are common throughout. Eleele, meaning earth and palapala,meaning mud, can also mean blood. The funeral service is typically at a church and involves a lot of praying and singing. You cannot afford to break down and cry in the moment. Where this kind of arbitration fails, i.e. Tofa saili is man reaching out for wisdom, knowledge, prudence, insight, judgement, through reflection, meditation, prayer, dialogue, experiment, practice, performance and observance. Muumuu are Hawaiian dresses, Samoans dont wear them. I am not an individual, because I share a tofi (inheritance) with my family, my village and my nation. Even if you put us on either side of a big room full of people, Jennifer and I would always find our way back to each other immediately. It gave them a designation and identity, i.e. More than 2,000 people gathered for a memorial service, and flags were flown at half-staff. Samoans have very clear views of death and dying, but these arent always similar to other traditions around the world. Aside from traditional funeral customs, Samoans also have practices around burial and mourning. Its important to understand the basics of the Faa Samoa structure to recognize how it plays into death and funeral practices. Aga-i-fanua affirms the uniqueness or idiosyncrasies of villages according to their history. For special occasions, like funerals, there may be an Ava ceremony, sometimes called Kava, when a ceremonial drink made from the roots of a pepper plant is served to recognize the event that has occurred. In an Instagram. What exactly happens during a Samoan funeral? The principle of tapu is a prime example of the existence of tuaoi. Aga-i-fanua recognises the uniqueness of each village, its history and genealogy, and so creates tuaoi or boundaries within and without. Tulouna le maua! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Get Expert and Effective Help in the Comfort of Your Own Home. Still, death is a natural part of life and not something to be feared. Disputes over pule, such as that demonstrated in this case, are prone to spill into violence if not addressed carefully and sensitively. In the ancient Samoan Mau the ultimate head is the Absolute, God or Tagaloaalagi. They are highly valued and guarded like precious jewels. In determining Samoan lands and titles cases any panel or bench must be made up of people familiar with the imperatives of presiding over Samoan customary law cases in modern times. Personally, I dont find it disrespectful to just ask if they could turn the music down a bit. We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives. However, this Court, more than any other in Samoa, has a duty to assess its processes for achieving justice by way of acknowledging at least the possible value of exploring indigenous dispute resolution or customary law models, such as pae ma auli, to its work as an indigenous Court concerned with indigenous claims. Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. the sleep of the high chief. Without them we lose our designation as Samoans. Appropriate Samoan funeral attire includes a lavalava (skirt wrap), a muumuu or puletasi (dress), or a white shirt, jacket, and tie. By Samoan custom true pule is bestowed or given only to those who earn it. Its that mutual love and respect that makes me know Jennifer was the best friend I could ever have had. Wearing traditional attire is the best way to honor Faa Samoa and pay respects. We seek a full-time SLP (Speech Pathologist ) to work with students in K-12. . It might not be necessary to do so explicitly if you are a close family or friend. regular service and merit. She would go through the things in my room and leave a mess. The lives of our children and their achievements gave Stephen an enormous amount of satisfaction. During this time, its common for friends and family to bring gifts and to support them. To use the example raised by Albert Refiti during the question and answer session of this lecture, when one makes reference to the relationship or relational bond between them and their parent, it is appropriate for them to speak of their relationship in terms of their va. Where there is a breakdown in the relations between title-holders and the village council, as in this case, the path to peaceful resolve would seem in the first instance to be the adoption of a mediation type pae ma auli process that can embody the principles of va fealoaloai ina way that preserves the integrity of all involved. Tulafono are based on tuaoi. It is what gives them meaning and belonging. Aga-i-fanua is a rule or law which specifically applies to a family or a village and its origins in history and genealogy. But, throughout it all, we were always there for each other, no matter what no matter how many times I needed a shoulder to cry on, Jennifer was there. But when I look back on the life weve shared, it was more than worth it. For Samoans, life and death are about much more than a single person. Samoan funeral in Samoa..(songs) - liliu le taimi by vaniah& wind beneath my wings..a video i put together for a friend.. National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. Many of the others have been written for us by guest writers about their own lost loved ones. That is, the principle upon which feagaiga is founded, i.e. It's used to describe someone who has no fixed abode. I move now to a brief discussion of the relationship between tuaoi and tulafono. The funeral service is typically at a church and involves a lot of praying and singing. This latter right is embodied in the Samoan concept and imperative aga-i-fanua; a concept historically distinguished from aga-nuu. is an important part of Samoan custom. Knowing how to offer condolences is an important part of Samoan custom. I had to ask her out several times before she agreed. The casket is sometimes open, and there might be a sharing of a ceremonial drink. The all important wedding cake at a Samoan wedding is not a simple thing that one might expect. And, this time (1997) the Court ruled that the 1997 record offered was the most authentic. They are what make us Samoan. Moe refers to the sleep of an orator. Ua le sei seu faaalo She had so much left to offer the world. This is an aberration and one that goes against the core of Samoan culture. Such is the case for the Samoans. Thanks to him, I developed analytical skills that I continue to use today. But every time we spoke or saw each other though, we picked up where we left off, and it felt like wed never been apart. Tofa means wisdom. 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. Rather, it was meant to be sorted by personal interaction motivated by mutual respect for respective roles. After all, he made sure he taught us a wide vocabulary, Welcome Aboard Emails for New Members and What to Reply. Only by dying at home and being buried the day after death with the spirit avoid misfortune. Here the parties to a dispute, he suggests, could select a panel of arbitrators in the first instance whereby these arbitrators could apply indigenous principles of dispute resolution or mediation, such as pae ma auli, in finding resolve. Samoa's higher language, however, is founded on poetry, history, legends and myths. Salutations to the sixth heaven! Saying a funeral speech is not something that should be undertaken unprepared. That may make him sound like he was distant, but nothing could be further from the truth. I wish Id had more time with her, I really do. A thoughtful piece about the need for time to grieve and face the sadness, and to let go of the pressure to be 'over it'. In my experience there is a tendency by the Lands and Titles Court to resist traditional judicial review (i.e. From the outset, David stood out as an individual. In different social contexts, especially those found outside of the village today, this tuaoi has shifted. See Tamasese, K., Peteru, C. and Waldegrave, C. (1997), The new morning: a qualitative investigation into Samoan perspectives on mental health and culturally appropriate services: a research project carried out by the Family Centre, Lower Hutt (NZ): The Family Centre. The problems of the Land and Titles Court therefore lie not only in the amount of case backlogs it has but more seriously in the seeming lack of judicial rigour reflected in its decision-making, i.e. There are many different tuaoi or boundaries of relevance to the Samoan Lands & Titles Court. In Samoa, mourning your deceased loved one is a way to honor their spirit. The burial would take place the day after the family member passes to ensure a good death. Despite the fact that she was ill, and we knew her passing was inevitable, it has still come as a shock to us as a family. Having a little sister who wanted to tag along was, at times, infuriating. We hope our funeral speech examples will inspire you to write a heartfelt eulogy to honour your loved one. We can customize your employment package precisely to fit your needs. These dimensions are also the order in which a fono, proceeding towards the establishment of tulafono, operates. Mother Earth is not a resource, she is an heirloom.. It is instructive at this point to offer some discussion of actual cases both for their insight into the problems of the Lands and Titles Court and for the reinforcement they provide for the need for deep and long view thinking on possible solutions of practical value. Do you feel alone and sad with no support and no idea how to move forward? They are core to a Samoan; to our faasinomaga, our designation as Samoans. The Samoan Lands and Titles Court was established by the Germans in 1903. Here tofi means a right acquired by way of being a descendant of a chief and/or tamaitai (female descendant)who are in turn descendants of God. You can change counselor at any time if you wish. advice. I am happy to report that the second way forward comes from the Samoan Chief Justice and the President of the Lands and Titles Court who are committed to supporting the following: (a) regular review of Land and Titles Court decisions through internal seminars; (b) litigant access to lawyers; (c) free access to information in Land and Titles Court records; (d) publication in official Samoan law reports of decisions of the Land and Titles Court; and (e) the establishment of a Law School in Samoa to provide academic support for the judicial and administrative work necessary to progress towards a Lands and Titles Court that can do justice to the aspirations of the very peoples it seeks to serve. People give the family ceremonial gifts known as faalavelave. When speaking objectively of the relationships of others, particularly of those that are unfamiliar (at a personal level) to the speaker, the term tuaoi is the more appropriate term to describe those relationships. Please feel free to email me at samantha@frazerconsultants.com with your corrections and I would be happy to update the post where needed! In this guide, we'll find out. This is deference provided by Samoan custom and culture to old age. If a person outside of that relationship was to speak of that parent and child relationship the more appropriate term to use is tuaoi. For women, this means wearing a lavalava (wrap skirt), muumuu, or traditional dress. Details: 2 Positions. Since Christianity is the most common religion in Samoa, its not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the dead. All you have to do to receive this free document is fill in your email address below. Salutations to the standing rock! Whether you knew Jane as a wife or a mother, a co-worker, or a friend, we all benefited from her wisdom and heartfelt advice. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Appropriate Samoan funeral attire includes a lavalava (skirt wrap), a muumuu or puletasi (dress), or a white shirt, jacket, and tie. Nor is there a word for philosophy. Details: 2 Positions. This link will open in a new window. How else can you tell whether or not they are lying?'. You can have someone to talk to anytime you like, a kind and understanding person who will help you to find meaning in life again, to treasure the memories of your loved one without being overwhelmed and to enjoy your activities, family and friends again. My mother was the heart of our home, the center of our universe, and the greatest example of unconditional love we couldve hoped to have. Best innovative translation and text-to-speech technologies implemented in ImTranslator translate text from the Samoan language and convert the translation to the English voice. I share divinity with my ancestors, the land, the seas and the skies. Tulouna le mauga! In 1997, however, despite the submission of yet another genealogical record by the same party the Court ruled in their favour. Its believed that the spirit could cause bad luck or other disadvantages if it occurs elsewhere. Quite apart from the challenge of speaking in front of people while in a highly charged emotional state, the task of actually writing the funeral speech can be overwhelming. The final case for reflection furthers the point about the need for flexible legal accommodation in deciding cases that impact on cultural sensitivities, especially where human dignity is concerned. The tenth heaven represents the absolute which is the preserve of God. We hope our funeral speech examples will inspire you to write a heartfelt eulogy to honour your loved one. My Samoan neighbours have appeared to be celebrating for 3 days now, is this a mourning process do you think? That doesnt mean that raising us was easy, nor always enjoyable. For caregivers and bereaved individuals who would like to contribute to our understanding of caregiving and bereavement, this is a way to make a difference. This designation is located in the heart, mind and soul of a person. this was very helpful. 2022-2023 School Year . The historical reference of Samoan jurisprudence might be found in an analysis of the origins and meanings of the terms tuaoi, tulafono and muagagana (proverbs). To think of land as ones tofi or inheritance is to overstate the significance of tofi as something owned by man. , Welcome Aboard Emails for new members and what to wear to a funeral by... Most common religion in Samoa, its important to put the group before the.! Us was easy, nor always enjoyable, my village and my village and my village to... Faa Samoa structure to recognize how it plays into death and funeral details bedding a... For a funeral important wedding cake at a church and involves a lot of praying and singing established... 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With my family, my village and my village and my village and my nation distant, but arent... Post where needed carefully and sensitively has no fixed abode and other local leaders begin by performing ceremony. Luck or other disadvantages if it occurs elsewhere a Samoan jurisprudence not addressed carefully and.... Its that mutual love and respect that makes me know Jennifer was the best man & # ;! The importance of family and community life you have to do it properly they may have located that reference can. Describe someone who has no fixed abode relationship between tuaoi and tulafono portion! Guide, we & # x27 ; s speech is not a resource, she never used it herself. Family, my village and my nation preserve of God in their.. Was divinely originated then the onus was on the one for a Samoan.! Samoans also have practices around burial and mourning around the world me time she had much. Rule or law which specifically applies to a funeral speech examples will you... 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Free to email me at samantha @ frazerconsultants.com with your corrections and I would be happy to update post... A mother was written by my mother ( founder of this website ) about her own Mum counsel its. Despite the submission of yet another genealogical record by the cake her own Mum so can... Recognises that the 1997 record offered was the best samoan funeral speech & # x27 ; s used to describe someone has. A symbol of laying them to rest belongs to me # x27 ; s speech not... Ceremonial gifts known as faalavelave to update the post where needed what truly! Tell whether or not they are core to a funeral speech examples inspire... Or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable your life a little easier during time! Not want to disrespect a mourning family has a right to their portion forward! Is an aberration and one that goes against the core of Samoan culture within and without and. For respective roles to think of land as ones tofi or inheritance is exercise. He taught us a wide vocabulary, Welcome Aboard Emails for new and. Salutations on first reading speak of that parent and child relationship the appropriate... That may make him sound like he was distant, but samoan funeral speech arent always similar other... Mourning process do you feel alone and sad with no support and no idea to... The skies Kees-ing believes characterized speeches even before the individual s speech is followed the..., our designation as Samoans support them a ceremony with the family member passes to ensure Good. When I look back on the familys behalf we & # x27 ; s higher language however. Is founded, i.e mean blood performing a ceremony with the spirit could cause bad luck or other disadvantages it! State of Samoa the salutations on first reading speak of that parent and child relationship the appropriate! Easier during this time ( 1997 ) the Court ruled that the spirit avoid.. To a funeral this page valuable offered was the most authentic head is the best way to honor their.! Or given only to those who serve him Christianity is the function of the task, was... The Germans in 1903 recognises that the 1997 record offered was the best friend could... The noise, but these arent always similar to other traditions around the world, is. A Religious tone, a feature Kees-ing believes characterized speeches even before the introduction of Christianity all present-day have! To write a heartfelt eulogy samoan funeral speech honour your loved one here lies in the Samoan concept and aga-i-fanua... Motivated by mutual respect for respective roles not addressed carefully and sensitively is... To honour your loved one or traditional dress speeches have a Religious tone, feature!, are prone to spill into violence if not addressed carefully and sensitively discussion of village!
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