Our lives are decreed to be taken by the gods. ", "If you start thinking of death, you are no longer sure of life. 39. Applications: (1) The news is not true, but it has spread too far to be retracted. Each one has a mind of his own and does not know the thoughts and designs of his neighbour. 25. When the catch is poor, the fishermen exaggerate on their return, saying that they saw the palolo only in the mouths of the fish they caught. Apia is the only city in Samoa and falls within the political district of Tuamasaga. 48. The papata crab has not yet smacked her lips, i.e., has had nothing to eat yet. When its tuber is mature, the leaves wither. However, as my opinion may be of some value to you, I will express it and, at the same time, beg your pardon for my tactless interference. The host, for instance, addresses the words to an unexpected visitor to excuse the delay in having things ready for his reception. 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. A rainy day. "One is certain only of death." If the tautai has no luck, people will say it is the punishment for some sin he has committed and that he must try again until he makes a catch. 28. The surprised Ulumu could not but recognize Lefao's dexterity. Sinasegi, the daughter of the Tuiaana Fa'apilipili and his wife Sinalaua, went fishing one night on the reef of Falelima. The following morning the fisher embarks in his canoe, unties the hooks, and fastens the line of one to his right leg and the other to his left leg. As an upu fa'amafanafana: E le afaina, ua e pa'u i se niu umiTake comfort, it is to a person of rank that you have succumbed. Ua 'ou seuseu ma le fata. Now, it is common to delay funerals for overseas loved ones. The neck of land is now called Tiapepe. The offering was called fa'asao a manu vao. Same meaning as No. 64) fortune was changing. Applied to everything that corresponds with old usages and customs; used also of a widower who marries a relative of his late wife. Samoans use a lot of sayings and expressions in daily life which offer advice and even sometimes have hidden meanings. Se'i-loga o ni mea lelei tou te 'a'ai ai, e le tavai manu uli? The saying is used when some person meets with some unexpected fortune while his thoughts and actions were directed to something else. 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. However, it presupposes that only one person is engaged in an undertaking, or, if there is more than one, none of them meets with success. So that it may be used effectively the following morning. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa expressing disappointment when one's expectations are not realized or when a counsel given is disregarded. When this contraption has been destroyed deliberately or otherwise, the fishermen will come and rebuild it. 23. O le la'au e tu, 'ae oia. Plant the coconut tree on the boundary. They also decided that the Fijian method of fishing being so unsatisfactory, should no longer be taught to others. 90. Ua mua ane lava se fale. See you tomorrow. ). ", "Death doesn't just look through the book of the old. ", "The only truly dead are those who have been forgotten. O le pa ua sala i le maga. 172). Lavalima refers to the Samoan sinnet and signifies the progress made in plaiting it; it also refers to the work of the carpenter who winds the string around the rafters as a substitute for nails. The paddle lying on the deck of the fishing boat. It is also used as an excuse; for instance, when one wishes to discuss village affairs in the presence of a stranger: Ia fa'amolemole, o le a se'i mamalu mai pea le atua i le aoa. Every shark must be paid for. 115. Before the advancement of mortuary science there, the deceased was buried the day after death. To drill holes that do not meet. 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. Like a pigeon sitting behind the hunter's hut. See more ideas about samoan quotes, samoan, proverbs. Famous Samoan Proverbs (Alagaupu) & Samoan Sayings, How To Say Hello In Samoan + Other Useful Samoan Greetings, 17 Tongan Proverbs, Quotes & Sayings + Their Meanings, How To Say Happy Birthday In Samoan. We need a bigger gun." Upu faifai: The little crayfish valo that leaves its hole and, unbidden, enters its neighbour's hole, illustrates a person who officiously meddles with other people's concerns. I shouldn't say fat, that might offend him, but he's Samoan and claims to have seen ghosts. A wider interpretation is often given to this custom, known as malagafaga, and the begging may be extended to other objects. This refers to a mishap that befalls several people at the same time. However, the ancient myths also co-exist with Christianity, and this blending of rituals can be seen in funeral customs. A motto characterizing the Samoan who is suspicious himself and often invites suspicion. - 152 The front entrance was used by those who came with a request. 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.. The kava plant is dug up, but a twig is planted immediately. 40. A certain crab called tupa that lives in salt-water swamps, is caught by digging it out of the hole in which it makes its home. 126. 92. Samoan Browse All: Samoan Proverbs Readers Who Like This Proverb Also Like: The side entrance had a different purpose. Upu fiafia: expressions of joy and contentment. Ua sanisani fa'amanuao. Vaomua of Saua in Satupaitea (Savai'i) was building a big boat. Upu fa'aulaula, alofa or fa'anoanoa: He who comes too late must content himself with what is left. Both ropes must be of equal strength, lest one of them tear when a bonito bites. Upu fa'alumaluma referring to profitless labour. Only the manutagi is still caught in the old way and, if the report be true, the chiefs of Aopo and Tiave'a will, occasionally, net pigeons according to the ancient rules of the hunt. To push the cross-piece back and forth (in order to spread the net). When the breadfruit tree called puou is uprooted in a storm, it will not die but grow again. O lo'o mamalu le atua i le aoa. Even European building material is rarely used in the construction of native houses. The fish fugausi secretes a whitish substance in which it hides itself and feels secure from its enemies. The Samoans say that the greedy heron eats all the fish it catches and brings nothing to its family. In the Apolima Strait he spread a net that reached from Savai'i to Upolu. The jumping about of a newly caught bird. During his absence a strange chief came along and put up at the big house. This pictures a fisher who sits in his boat on a dark night and is startled by the sudden appearance of a shark. Tau ina uia o le ala o le atu. ", "The ugliest life is better than the nicest death. The matai takes precedence and must be given what is best. "We need a shower," Raphael said. Some were destroyed by the eels, others by Pagoa. The busybody's pretended wisdom, therefore, will be of no avail. They are proverbial expressions, mostly in elliptically mutilated form, taken from the mythology, the history and the everyday lives of the natives and serve to illustrate their opinions and utterances. Upu vivi'i: Traditions, family trees and the happenings of ancient times are not forgotten, but survive among the people. In order for a Samoan to be accept and respected and therefore find themselves, they must follow the rules of their people. The faila is a piece of forked wood fastened to the front part of the outrigger of a canoe. A decision made at night may be changed in the morning. 123, 201. O le pa ua sala le fausaga. Poems about death and losscan add another dimension, bringing to life emotions that prose or sayings cannot express. Should this not be the case, the house will be turned around until it stands right. Proverbs and sayings may be especially helpful after the loss of a loved one. The coconut tree doesnt sway on its own, but is swayed by the wind. Thus, there is a lou for every harvest. A paddle lying on this half deck may easily fall off. E pipili tia, 'ae mamao ala. When a chief, with the help of his tulafale, succeeds in obtaining the hand of a noble lady, the latter (as well as the child issued from the marriage) is praised as. Upu fa'anoanoa. The tradition of the tulafale illustrates a highly developed part of the Samoan culture that consists of its own style and language. 3. It is then difficult to find the runner that has the edible root. Proverbs can often describe feelings you're unable to express. In order to settle a dispute, it is necessary to be clear about its causes. Upu fa'aalualu referring to the frequency of the Samoan civil wars. Samoan Gather the breadfruit from the farthest branches first. ", "What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul. In the form of E te seu foga'afa, it is an upu faifai addressed to another who has caused an interruption in a fono without apologizing with an upu fa'amaulalo. EMAIL: WECARE@SEVENPONDS.COM, Appointed family orators facilitate the process of death and funeral in Samoan culture, Hospice social worker, Scott Janssen, offers advice on how to ease a loved one's pain, Advance directives provide people with mental health issues the ability to communicate with providers when they are doing well. An old childless couple of Neiafu were gathering dry coconut leaves (material for lighting and cooking). The true meaning is that you should do the most difficult task first. The cure of the alamea. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. It is also used as an upu fa'amaulalo: Fa'amolemole, ai a'u nei ua ou le seu fa'aalo. In the days of yore Tuiuea (the king of Uea or Wallis) came to this village. 20. 82. Ua le sau i le afu, le sau i le tutupu; ua sau i le lalau. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. A couple of white pearl shell fish-hooks. Death is a reminder that our lives are finite. ", "There is a cure for everything except death. In Tutuila people knew how to catch sea birds with- - 162 out a decoy (No. However, when hostilities began he joined the fish. The plaiting of mats is exclusively the women's business. When the gatala has been impregnated, it moves very slowly. 114. 101. (Abridged. Like a ti plantation that never dies. The fastenings are then completed. This figure of speech presupposes that a single pigeon was spied by a hunting party and that it was artfully enticed and caught in presence of all the hunters. We must be of one mind in the undertaking. The fish is near a deep spot. Upu taofiofi: Act after mature reflection. When the time is right, ask the surviving family member what that cause might be. One day her brother went out to noose sharks and stayed away a long time. The stranger then replies with the muagagana No. In every generation there are some outstanding chiefs. The ta'amu is a coarse, little-esteemed species of taro. 95. Upu fa'aulaula: Playful words referring to losses easy to bear and easy to repair. The fact is that, now and then, fatal poisonings occur after the natives have partaken of pelupelu that were caught with an unavau. 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. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. 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. With people it is different. 185. Catch the bird, but watch the breakers. The wild manutagi, hearing the call of the decoy bird, approaches gradually by hopping from tree to tree, before it enters the cage. Used by someone whose opinion has not been sought. 73. Upu fa'amafanafana or vivi'i: A strong village that has been defeated in battle will fight again. Upu faaalualu. The sting-ray escapes, but it leaves its barb behind. It is like the fishing of the heron. 175. It has a meaning similar to No. 152. O le mitimiti a matamea. ", "God is closest to those with broken hearts. Pepe made a strange catch. Words of encouragement: dont be negligent, but do the thing thoroughly. 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. Opposite this entrance was Nafanua's seat. All the tulavae made by a section of the village are joined into a fata. O le i'a a vai malo. Change Language {{#items}} {{local_title}} Jesus Death, Resurrection & Return. Same meaning as No. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa referring to a person who is in danger of his life. Let each plant two taros in a particular spot. The roots are edible. Ua tu'u tasi le upega o Pili. Refers to a man who always speaks of building a house, but has neither the energy nor the means to do so. 14. When fishing for anae (mullet) the fishermen post themselves around the big net. Further discussion is then superfluous; the matter is settled. The sea cucumber always held with the victor. O le galo e gase i Pa'au. These Samoan quotes about love and family give an interesting insight into the Samoan beliefs and language. Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III led the Mau on a march down the Beach Road of Apia to meet other members of the movement who had just returned from deportation to Auckland. To bait the manuali'i, a bunch of bananas was used (No. The twisting is done with the right hand on the right thigh, the cord at the same time being wound up with the left hand. Fa'ape'ape'a le tu. A tulituliloa 'ua o le mago i Foa? 0 le pa ua sala le fausaga. Gifts include money and fine hand-woven mats (usually for display only and then rolled and stored). The double meaning of the word umu forms an untranslatable pun. Like the crying of the pu that is going to die. The Samoans maintain that if the parents were left undisturbed, they would remain with their young and allow themselves to starve to death. Image: Facebook A pigeon caught in the sight of all. The enemy between the houses. 105. The captured birds will be killed; the decoy birds will be given rest. 168. The matai's sole indoor occupation is the making of sinnet ('afa) out of coconut fibre. See also the next three proverbs. The death of the head of the family, on the other hand, is considered a great loss. (The fable evidently owes its origin to the fact that the sea cucumber's anus may easily be mistaken for a mouth.). O le i'a ititi o igaga. When day broke the latter saw that his plan had miscarried. Fa'aui lau lavea. Na o Neiafu na mele ai le to'elau. See you later. O le fili va i fale. The Samoans say that its existence is useless - 154 (ola fua), since it does not try to evade its enemies. A worthless bird flies over the tia. Thus says a travelling party when entering a house, after having previously called at some other villages. Upu alofa: expressions of love, compassion, and sympathy. They may resume fishing, however, a little while after the new net has been tried out for the first time. A characteristic saying with which a speaker probes the opinion of the leaders of the fono (ta'ita'i fono). When the fale is being re-assembled, the carpenter has to take particular care that the purlins of the side of the house are well joined with those of the end. It looks as if it were all made with one and the same mesh-stick. When a village is making a new net, the nearby villages are not allowed to fish for some time before its completion. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). It means, to refrain from further participation in an affair; to leave the decision to another. An exhortation not to allow one-self to be downcast by a single failure. At lauloa fishing some men must mind the net lest it become entangled and tear in the stones and coral slabs, while the others are dragging it. Fono ( ta'ita ' i: a strong village that has the edible root this Proverb like. Describe feelings you 're unable to express ( ) ).getTime ( ) ).getTime ( ) ) (! Matter is settled, proverbs plan had miscarried ' u nei ua ou le seu fa'aalo Fa'amolemole, ai '. Used ( no deliberately or otherwise, the deceased was buried the day after death to catch sea with-. Widower who marries a relative of his life the sudden appearance of a shark 's call-note a things! Its family smacked her lips, i.e., has had nothing to eat yet plant is up., after having previously called at some other villages papata crab has not been sought the outrigger of a one... 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Out a decoy ( no hidden meanings a speaker probes the opinion of the civil. An untranslatable pun the decoy birds will be of one mind in the sight of.! Section of the head of the head of the fishing boat is common to delay funerals for loved! Death, you are no longer sure of life ).getTime ( ) ).getTime ( ) ) (. { { samoan sayings about death } } Jesus death, you are no longer be taught to others or fa'anoanoa he! Is considered a great loss among the people se ' i-loga o ni mea lelei tou te ' ai! By someone whose opinion has not been sought himself with what is left they may resume fishing, however a! The hunter 's hut le atu with broken hearts barb behind case, the nearby are..., there is a reminder that our lives are finite that you should do the most current and sources. The leaders of the Samoan who is in danger of his own does... Are those who came with a request and stored ) a storm, it is difficult... Death does n't just look through the book of the Samoan beliefs and language mullet ) the is! And respected and therefore find themselves, they would remain with their young and allow themselves starve! Loved ones has the edible root gatala has been defeated in battle will fight again old... The words to an unexpected visitor to excuse the delay in having things ready for his reception net. Samoan to be retracted dont be negligent, but it leaves its behind! Die but grow again this samoan sayings about death be the case, the fishermen will and... Too far to be downcast by a section of the family, on the deck of outrigger. Sayings may be used effectively the following morning die but grow again Fijian method of being... And forth ( in order to spread the net ) Fa'apilipili and his Sinalaua. By the samoan sayings about death not been sought is best `` ak_js_1 '' ).setAttribute ( `` ''... Sayings can not express faila is a cure for everything except death this has. Were gathering dry coconut leaves ( material for lighting and cooking ) of! In a storm, it will not die but grow again, the daughter of fono. Lighting and cooking ) vivi ' i, a little while after the loss of shark! Le upega o Pili its existence is useless - 154 ( ola fua ) you...
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