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Written by The Sa'o Team
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Samoa Sa'o
A gathering place for information on our islands
In progress is our effort to gather together everything you could
need to keep up
with what is going on in Samoa. By Samoa we mean those who speak
the Samoan language and those who don't, the Eastern and
Western Islands and all the new islands like Long Island NY, Grand Island
NE, the North Island NZ, any island), those who are Samoan by birth or by adoption.
Basically, anywhere you are we want to tell you about it or know about
it.
The people of our islands
An abundance of facts have been gathered but,
most
of all we want to know what is going on right now. The forums
can help us to acheive that goal. A few catagories have been
initiated and there will be more to come. Anyone may view the
posts in the forum but you must be registered to post to the forum.
All you need to do is register for free at the login area to the
left. Click Create One enter your email and you're a member. If you have suggestions on what to put into the
forum just register and post it or click contact and drop us a
line. Hope you enjoy the forum.
Samoa le penina
We have a shop and are frequently adding (pearls) items of interest to it. We
currently have Practice Fire knives, Vinyl Car Stickers, and books on Samoan language and people. Please visit the store to see and check back
often for new items.
Samoan language
It has been said that language defines culture. And so it is with
the Samoan language. We hope that our resources become useful for
you and your families.
Fa'afetai Lava
SA'O
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Written by Staff
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Eight things I learned on the Aiga Bus.
- Fifty cents goes a long way – It’s amazing that you can get all the way to Tula on $0.50. Another amazing thing is that there is someone willing to take you there. If you are interested in seeing the island you can actually ride from Tula to Pago then from Pago to Tafuna then from Tafuna out to Poloa if you like. It might cost you a little more than fifty cents but it is worth the ride.
- Music is king – Arguably, the most often played song on the busses in Samoa is “E Fasia o le Gata” by Five Star. The extravagant sound systems in these busses makes riding a cultural experience as well as a way to get from A to B. Sure you can pass up one of these busses and get on the R&B bus. But if it is your first time, take the Samoan music bus.
- Capitalism is alive in Samoa – It is fabulous to see that a little ambition can go a long way. The transit system is privately operated. The drivers usually own their own bus and profits go directly to provide for their families. There are no major government regulations to bog down the system with unnecessary bureaucracy. The market determines the amount of busses. I don’t think capitalism functions this well in the states.
- It’s OK to wait for the next bus – If a bus is approaching and you see a bunch of people wearing white coats, let that bus go by and wait for the next. Why? Just trust me on this one.
- No bus stop but you can stop the bus – Why people don’t wait together is an enigma. The frequent stops to pick up passengers 30 yards apart always puzzled me. But isn’t it convenient that you can get on wherever you want?
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Written by Staff
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Fa’afetai i le Atua
Muamua ona si’i le fa’afetai i le Atua…
(I would first like to give thanks to God…)
How often have we heard this phrase spoken or seen it written? It
prefaces letters to not only loved ones but letters that are more of an
official nature. Even public speakers will begin speeches with
the phrase. This familiar phrase reveals an insightful fact about
all Samoans; they love and openly recognize the hand of God in
their lives.
There was a teacher, a palagi atheist, in Samoa who expressed his
irritation with his students who would hand in essays each of which
began with: Muamua ona si’i le fa’afetai i le Atua… He frequently
stated that it was unnecessary and should not be included in any
assignment that was to be handed in. Alas, essays weren’t the
only homework that contained this or similar phrases, there were also
narratives, journal entries and more. As you might imagine the
teacher didn’t last long in Samoa. Not that he didn’t have a
valid point, but more importantly he didn’t take into account the
influence of the culture of Samoa on his students, a culture that
recognizes the importance of God.
The importance of God in the culture of Samoa is evident in the
village. Take for example the faife’au (minister). Although
not of the same gafa (genealogy), the minister receives similar gifts
and formal greetings as the village matai (chief). This honor is
received because the faife’au is seen as a person doing chores
(faife’au) for the Almighty. Like God is to be thanked and
recognized, so also are his servants thanked and recognized by Samoans.
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