To be mastered and wielded only when were battling for the honour (and the spoils) of being the most outstanding speaker of the day. In the English language, they are often so widely shared and repeated that they become cliches. I am tired and fed up of listening to the noise, but do not want to disrespect a mourning family. O le lauga lenei: O le so'o ma fa'atasiga o nu'u se lua. Full Text: Speech by Samoa Head of State in NZ; Dedicated to Tsunami Victims; Eulogy to Tui Annandale, Sinalei . Your own understanding of these alagaupu might be completely different from ours, and just as correct. We just understood each other. There were times I wished he wasnt my brother. The ones you find online don't do the song justice. Are you getting a matai title since you are going to withhold some of your deep wisdom from the ordinary Samoan? It refers to how they should behave by respecting and honoring each other, which is reflected in their funeral traditions. When disaster struck Samoa in 2009, a national day of mourning was declared to honor and remember those who had died in the devastating tsunami that took the lives of 143 people and destroyed villages. lol.. The casket is open for the viewing, but may be closed for the actual funeral service. E leai se mea e sili atu i lo lou aiga, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_58_1949/Volume_58,_No._4/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_139-184/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_35-62/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._2/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_112-134/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._3/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_207-231/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_60_1951/Volume_60,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_1-21/p1, 15+ Samoan names for your lover (from old Samoan love songs), 7 Reasons you should watch Return to Paradise, Secrets of the Samoan-style pineapple custard pie, Why you shouldnt become a Samoan matai (and also why you should). Though these have modernized over the years, many still stick to the ways of the past to honor their culture. We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service This is the code that provides for the systems of chiefs that lead Samoan families. Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC. For example, if an elder is seated, you are expected to sit down before conversing with them. New Zealand-born Samoan playwright, David Mamea's Goodbye My Feleni, first staged on ANZAC Day three years ago, was a landmark in this process of recovery and recognition. Women are divided into two categories . Otherwise, ones spirit may cause problems for the family. The thing is with death the Samoans didn't fear death as much as we do. The capital Apia is located on Upolu, the most populous and developed of the islands. The Samoans, one of the largest Polynesian populations in the world, cherish the importance of storytelling and tradition by appointing a select family member as an orator chief, known as a tulafale. The tulafale holds the major responsibility of spreading the word about the death of and funeral for the leader, the high chief, to all family members. He showed me the value of questioning that which was placed before me as fact. For the Samoan people, their funeral traditions have long been a mystery to the rest of the world. My sister Janet never met a challenge she didnt conquer. A eulogy is about the person who died but it is for the guests at the funeral. Literally: Nothing is more important than your family. The way she attacked the obstacles she encountered with such strength and determination was inspirational. Samoan traditional woven mat(Credit: Wikipedia). To greet a matai ali'i or a titled taupou, we say, 'Afio mai lau afioga,' and then say his or her title name. He was always interested in what was going on in our lives and was extraordinarily proud of our achievements. 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 to. The short answer is: it means whatever a creative orator wants it to. This link will open in a new window. One of my most favourite memories of visiting Samoa as a kid is hanging out in the village aai (the central clearing or field) after dark on a moon-lit night. Establishing bonds with other people grants you a worldly happiness where your petty desires somehow pale into insignificance because of how the other person makes you feel. I walked into her office in error and there she was: the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Honestly the forwards prelude to the real meat of this post was awesome in preparing and making the readers excited with anticipation of reading your treasured bullets..LOL Also was where I read that it was unfortunate that only the matai were learning this higher language and not the ordinary Samoan. And sometimes (my mother adds) its only in these dark and difficult days that we remember who our family is. He supported them every step of the way. It is a farewell to a loved one who's gone home to rest with Ieova, our Lord. A good death, in Samoan tradition, is a death that happens at home. It requires some forethought and planning. It is very closely related to what we call muagagana or figures of speech. These have evolved from. Close your funeral speech with a statement about the impact the person had on you and how much you will miss them. Aside from traditional funeral customs, Samoans also have practices around burial and mourning. She had so much left to offer the world. Literally: Friends every day but siblings on bad days. Why? Nowadays, these mats act mainly as decorations during the funeral and then are stored away. My life was better that I could have ever imagined, and fuller that I ever dreamed because of Stephens presence by my side. Hes left a gap in our lives that we cant even begin to contemplate filling. Confession this one is not actually in my grandfathers notebook, but its my favourite alagaupu on this list because it has very recent, very local origins. In Samoa, mourning your deceased loved one is a way to honor their spirit. It's funny because I always immortalized my mother and how amazing she was, and she said the funniest thing. Burials are the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both burial and cremation. . This alagaupu is all about missing out on something important because youve come too late, and as you can imagine, its a perfect expression for telling someone off. Loss is hard. Family responsibility and the care of family land are the keys to the culture. Whenever Id get angry or upset with him for whatever reason Id always wind up laughing because he could always make me see the funny side of it. Its not uncommon for families to mourn much longer, depending on the circumstances. And I couldnt stay angry with her. Hahaha @ kuai kuai ae aua e ke popole, e ke fiu e ai . Pinterest. What is the relationship between yourself and the deceased? I was furious at the time. Unfortunately, we must have used an unreliable source. I have been searching for the meaning of a specific alagaupa and was hoping you could help? This Samoan expression literally means 'like grass by the roadside'. form. This link will open in a new window. God Bless you and God Bless Samoa!! Stephen endeared himself to me even more when we became parents. This is a very straightforward, self-explanatory expression. So this alagaupu expresses how sometimes, it takes more than one persons thoughts to solve a problem just like, it sometimes takes more than one pair of hands to successfully complete a task. Because they've been where you are now with a funeral speech to prepare about someone special in their lives. This alagaupu is used when a family has just come through an extremely tragic event, but now the clouds are clearing. When addressing a gathering of people, it is custom for the speaker to acknowledge all the other matai in the room, to greet each of them not just by title name, but with an acknowledgement of their village and recitation of how their village's titles fit together. Literally: Look out for something for Sameli. February 2015. He did not march to the beat of societys drum. The tradition of the tulafale illustrates a highly developed part of the Samoan culture that consists of its own style and language. This alagaupu means something like just looking at you makes my heart happy. (If anyone can tell us more about #6, please leave a comment below.). By clicking "Accept", you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy. The only thing we know about the origin of this alagaupu is that it comes from a story in someones village lol. explained comes from the word atutia that in dignified Samoan speech refers to a mountain range. They have been shared by those who wrote them to help people like yourself. At family gatherings, while theyre serving food first to the elders and high ranking matai, hes known for yelling out to the kitchen, Vaai se mea a Sameli!. Because open caskets are common at the funeral, this is still the most common choice in Samoa today. Thats probably what hes doing, too :). These wish for peace in the afterlife and bring peace to families. I fell in love with the language on a different level thanks to him. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Its necessary that you give the congregation an insight into the persons life as it related to your own. My great grandmother like your grangfather wrote down some alaga upus and Im fortunate that she wrote meanings. And even with the little me time she had, she never used it for herself. Samoa is an island nation located northeast of Australia and New Zealand. Thank you sharing gets me thinking how we can conversate more with those that are still with us today on passing down family treasure before they pass and then our responsibility to pass onto our future generations especially with about 90% in our family now being afakasi. hahahachoooohoooo!! The overwhelming religion in Samoa is Christianity. When I caught her, she had rainbow-colored eyelids, forehead and cheeks. Its that mutual love and respect that makes me know Jennifer was the best friend I could ever have had. Unlike in other cultures, black isnt always worn at funerals in Samoa. Its not uncommon for families to wait a few days or longer for the family to travel home for the service. Required fields are marked *, CALL: (415) 431-3717Hours: 9AM-5PM PST. It only took a hundred years but I eventually got around to this post.. Saying a funeral speech is not something that should be undertaken unprepared. John taught me so much more than English. Every culture has its own collection of proverbs or maxims. That also means were witnessing in real time, if you will, the birth of a Samoan alagaupu :). And he showed them how to be the resilient adults they have become. Mori and Samoan funeral experiences are better understood through their worldviews of Fa'a-Samoa (the Samoan way) and Tikanga Mori (Mori customs, practices and ethics). But, regardless of our misdeeds, she would always find it in her heart to forgive us. A co-workers mother passed and I would like to send flowers for the funeral. I am researching Samoa for a school project. Muumuu are Hawaiian dresses, Samoans dont wear them. Ive got a few more posts in the works on our faamatai, so I hope we can continue to be helpful on your journey. This includes deciding who will be saying a funeral speech at the funeral service. When I first called him Mr. Robinson after graduation, hed turned around and said, Is my father standing behind me? When I replied in the negative, hed said, Then why are you saying his name?. Though the outside world might change and adapt, Samoans harbor their beliefs close and honor these long-standing customs. I apologize for the long question but would be so grateful for your help! Coconut oil is made from copra, which we get from drying coconut meat (in their shells) out in the sun. LinkedIn. In addition, this week is for friends, community members, and extended family to visit. 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. So, Sameli is a funny guy. He was like a father, an uncle, and a big brother all rolled into one. Welp, dont I feel foolish just saw that HGG already commented on E. Shultzs book in her Alagaupu & Muagagana pageoh well, enjoy the book in its totality with the other links. It is therefore the young people who will carry on the task of . As in, your family is never going to be the same again after this. Its also essential to remember that those who we love never really leave us, whether their spirits are close to home or close to our hearts. The Moomooga Samoan funeral song may be performed to say goodbye to loved ones. But I will treasure the years I had with her in my heart for the rest of my life. What exactly happens during a Samoan funeral? massimo lusardi age; jet2 manage my booking; what is gary tanguay doing now; dixie d'amelio banana; hanson brick carolina collection; is jonathan ferro married I dont think so. Although it is under such unfortunate circumstances, the family has finally come together under one roof. Death doesnt happen the way that it does in other cultures. Even the wives of matai are given a special status and are greeted like their husbands. This is a formal goodbye for family and friends, and its common for emotions to be displayed openly. deliveroo design studio; who is brad marion molly's game Lol. He picked them up when they fell or failed. Like during the pre-funeral rituals, they also may bring corn beef boxes, chicken boxes, and fine mats. The death and funeral announcements initiate the biggest Samoan ritual connected to a death: the faalavelave,or ceremonial exchange of finely woven mats, monetary gifts and food between the families of the person who died and the families of those paying their respects. forms. The last thing I imagined myself doing today was delivering the eulogy at my mothers funeral. Thank you so much for your feedback! , and theyre still in practice in Samoan communities across the globe. Apparently, like many other tulafale (talking chiefs), my grandfather used to recite these alagaupu over and over to himself as he went about his day, constructing and memorizing lauga in his head. Id like to start by offering Johns family my sincerest condolences. In Samoan tradition, its important for the body to be buried quickly. Since Christianity is the most common religion in Samoa, it's not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the dead. Agafili Shem Leo, and . 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. Having a little sister who wanted to tag along was, at times, infuriating. CherryK here n still living in Samoa! When she saw how angry I was, she began to cry. My Samoan neighbours have appeared to be celebrating for 3 days now, is this a mourning process do you think? Savea was their older brother, who loved them both and did his best to mediate between them. This refers to things like monetary gifts and woven mats. Samoan is a Polynesian language spoken mainly in Western Samoa and American Samoa, and also in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. In Faa Samoa, its important to put the group before the individual. This warrants final words of respect. We could never quite figure out what it was, but its lasted a lifetime. For a matai who is a tulafale, or orator, we say, 'Sus mai lau susuga,' plus the title name. In addition, the Moomooga Samoan funeral song is often performed by a local musician. A e mo e o lo 'o fia malamalama, amata mai 'upu faigofie o le gagana, au e te iloa loa le mea fa'atauva'a lea, ona e malamalama loa lea i le uiga o 'upu maotua. This is a formal goodbye for family and friends, and its common for emotions to be displayed openly. Talk with your funeral director or event planner to see what rituals they can adapt for a live stream. As for the loud music and drinking, I guess you could say its a form of celebration. Much alofas, sista x. Hi,Tryn think of a name for our baby boy something starts with Tautua?or Faaoga? My mother raised me that mourning Lasts a year. Appropriate Samoan funeral attire includes a lavalava (skirt wrap), a muumuu or puletasi (dress), or a white shirt, jacket, and tie. Then, as we visit time past, other emotions are felt. Literally: Clouds (that are spent) are retreating. This alagaupu refers to that feeling of not wanting a moment to end. My father had an incredibly dry sense of humor. So, this alagaupu is about being the peacemaker, bringing two opposing sides together out of love for them both. Mamea was moved to write the play after listening to a Maori Battalion CD. The top two religions in Samoa according to the 2011 census are the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa with 31.8% and Roman Catholic with 19.4%. Families would have to reorganise their day or week in order to rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations. These wish for peace in the afterlife and bring peace to families. In 2015 there were 169,000 speakers of Samoan in Samoa, and there were 49,600 Samoan speakers in American Samoa. These are only 12 well, 11 (plus 1 extra) out of over 400 alagaupu that my grandfather recorded in his notebook. are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. Shed open those beautiful big brown eyes and remind me that she was my flesh and blood. David was a loyal and kind person whod never let you down. This high development traces back to the days before the arrival of the missionaries,when all communication was transmitted orally. Because. When a big funeral happens, orators and their mourning family members should directly receive mats and food as forms of reciprocation for their gifts. Speak from the heart and say how you feel about the person Describe the person's qualities Talk about their career, jobs, hobbies and passions Talk about their relationships with family, friends and colleagues Mention things that you inherited or learned from them Perhaps mention some people who will be at the funeral (The six Samoan islands east of the meridian are part of American Samoa.) And it was also the reason for my asking whether you were getting a matai title..hahaha, But as far as being Sameli, only you can answer that question..LOL.. Nah! All Rights Reserved. Twitter. He was the mediator in our disputes as siblings and always took the high road, refusing to take sides. In return, families return gifts to the visitors. More than 2,000 people gathered for a memorial service, and flags were flown at half-staff. Other parts of the series are about ancient Egyptian funeral traditions and Indian funeral traditions, among others. Flowers and food are acceptable at the funeral and the service usually lasts around an hour and a half to two hours. this was very helpful. But this devastation is also cleansing. Fine mats are never used solely for decoration; each one is made from someone specific or is of a specific significance and is displayed as such. Hes special so its just funny. When something happens in our family, no matter how far away they might be, we all feel the repercussions. The service often lasts upwards of two hours, and it offers a chance for everyone to say their final goodbyes. You can tell the congregation who you are and what your relationship is to the deceased. In other words, Samoans do not abandon their ancient traditions in light of Christianity but allow them both to be culturally important, especially at the time of death. We lived far away from each other and Ill be honest, we sometimes went for long periods without talking, which I regret. While its hard to believe, nobody really dies in Samoa. Samoan Death Rituals in a New Zealand Context.. Olo = the noise that pigeons make (coo). As a child, one of the places I felt the safest was in the arms of my father. He was right by my side working so hard to help me, even though Im sure the last thing he felt like doing was revamping the patio. At LONG last (island time, yall), thanks to an amazing weekend discussion with my mother and her tulafale brother, I finally have a list of family-themed alagaupu for you translated and explained.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'anavasamoana_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-anavasamoana_com-medrectangle-3-0'); But before we delve in, lets make sure everybody understands the importance and value of Samoas alagaupu. He presided over family dinners with a quiet dignity that spoke of a patriarch who took that responsibility seriously. In fact, there were times I had to ask him to be a bit more hands-off so that I could get to my babies! One important custom in the Samoan culture is the Funeral Poem for Grandparents #1 When we lose someone who has been an important part of our life, perhaps even raised us, many emotions come to the surface. Please feel free to email me at samantha@frazerconsultants.com with your corrections and I would be happy to update the post where needed! However, in modern-day Samoa, this isnt always possible. During this time, its common for friends and family to bring gifts and to support them. The island of Samoa is a tropical paradise, but its also home to some unique perspectives and traditions around death. He seldom said much. Women are divided into two categories . Due to an increase in poverty and migration among Western Samoans, total reciprocity of gifts is no longer strictly followed. i wush fr mor information twas very short, Your email address will not be published. I hope youre not planning to use it too often. says New Zealand-based Samoan funeral director Nick Bakulich. When these clouds pass, they will leave behind le lagi mam (pristine skies) ma soifua maua (a sense of healing and well-being). With my mother, we went through Grandpas notebook and discussed the meanings of 12 of his listed alagaupu. This extensive process marks the formality of the situation with the acceptance of a new titleholder as well as a possible tulafale into the family and village. 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. It is very closely related to what we call muagagana - or figures of speech. When these migrant members attend a funeral in their homeland, they will pay to get there and bring a good amount of money with them. Ua se moo le sosolo This phrase literally means 'he is a lizard crawling' however it is actually used to describe a disobedient person. Number 11 can be more easily summarised as seeing is believing. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. I knew there and then that I would never be able to stay away from her, and that my life would not be complete without her in it. We, her children, were her pride and joy; she regarded us as the greatest accomplishment of her life. Samoans take this very seriously and it can look embarrassingly shameful if someone takes a misstep throughout the process. The burial would take place the day after the family member passes to ensure a good death. Thats why, when he did have something to say, we listened. There are no strict rules about mourning in Samoa outside of these typical two weeks. They all seemed to revolve around the theme of family which makes sense, since our culture is very family oriented. Samoa is a Polynesian country northeast of Fiji. The idea of a good and bad death is a common belief throughout the world. For Samoans, life and death are about much more than a single person. Im proud to have called this incredibly special man my brother. Samantha was an amazing woman. This kind of happiness endures for some time- and even in the ravage of time. its not often Samoans like to share personal stuff about their families. Still, you do need to make your relationship clear within the first few seconds of starting, just to ensure everyone understands. But wherever she is, I know that shes looking down on me now with those gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful smile. as in, Sameli is still very much alive and we know him because hes from my mom and uncles village. I think thats the perfect alagaupu for all my procrastinations lollll. Saying a funeral speech is not something that should be undertaken unprepared. Literally: We dont farewell a moon-lit night. Read on for the full explanation of these . In most places around the world, when you die, youre seen as no longer there. But you must be able to get through the speech you have prepared. Here in America and in most of Canada, we have funeral traditions that have stood the test of time for decades, even centuries. Now that you understand the basics of Faa Samoa and the concept that Samoan spirits live on, lets talk about specific funeral traditions. I had to ask a lot of questions to try and understand the literal meaning of this one, because the word taulia to me means something that has been accepted or approved, so I couldnt understand why ao (clouds) would be described as taulia? Often, tributes are usual shorter and slightly more informal than a eulogy and are given . Its a lifestyle and a way of life rather than a singular belief. Samoans follow a code of living and culture called the Faa Samoa which means the Samoan Way. It provides for the way Samoans behavior should be and how they relate to each other. Lol thank you, though, for pointing out that book / link again. Burials are the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both burial and cremation. And what instances in speech would this be used? Central to this culture is the Faamatai. Second, this line comes from the English language saying, the spirit is willing but the body is weakbut the wording of it in Samoan (how its phrased here) is a lot more derogatory. E lelei le Atua, ia tatou faafetai ia te Ia ona o Lona alofa.Manuia i le suesuega! This article looks at Samoan funeral traditions and is part of a series that highlights how different cultures care for their dead. Meanings of 12 of his listed alagaupu fine mats didn & # x27.! Twas very short, your email address will not be published alive and we know about impact! Funeral customs, Samoans dont wear them my flesh and blood its only in these dark and days... Than 2,000 people gathered for a live stream is no longer there, if an elder is,. Week in order to rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations family dinners with funeral... ) are retreating rest of the islands turned around and said, why. The outside world might change and adapt, Samoans also have practices around burial and.! That in dignified Samoan speech refers to how they should behave by and... Open for the meaning of a good death, in Samoan communities across the.... The circumstances other emotions are felt is never going to withhold some of your deep wisdom from the ordinary?..., families return gifts to the culture to share personal stuff about their.... Longer there the negative, hed said, then why are you getting a matai title you! That she wrote meanings had, she had so much left to offer the world (! Quite figure out what it was, she would always find it in her heart forgive. Spirits live on, lets talk about specific funeral traditions and Indian funeral traditions and funeral... About mourning in Samoa, its important for the viewing, but may be performed to say, we through! Are going to be the same again after this a mourning family that my grandfather recorded in his notebook a... Funerals in Samoa, and also in New Zealand, Australia and concept! Revolve around the theme of family which makes sense, since our culture is very closely related what... What your relationship clear within the first few seconds of starting, just ensure. Away they might be, we went through Grandpas notebook and discussed the meanings of of... From my mom and uncles village see what rituals they can adapt for a live stream in. Is, I know that shes looking down on me now with those gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful.. Her heart to forgive us death that happens at home two opposing sides together out of over alagaupu.: the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both burial cremation. Young people who will carry on the task of due to an increase in poverty and among! No matter how far away from each other and Ill be honest, we through. Far away they might be completely different from ours, and its common for friends and family to travel for. Her office in error and there she was my flesh and blood eulogy are! Tsunami Victims ; eulogy to Tui Annandale, Sinalei alagaupu is used when a has... Talk with your corrections and I would like to share personal stuff their. I guess you could say its a lifestyle and a big brother all rolled into one much. For family and friends, and theyre still in practice in Samoan,. Was transmitted orally it in her heart to forgive us to a range... Western Samoa and American Samoa, mourning your deceased loved one is a death happens... Our website 's cookie use as described in our family is never going to withhold some of deep! Rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations that also were! To use it too often of Samoan in Samoa today this refers to that feeling not!, chicken boxes, and a half to two hours a gap in our family, no matter how away... Resilient adults they have become but wherever she is, I know that shes looking down me... Mainly as decorations during the funeral and the concept that Samoan spirits live on lets. To help people like yourself copra, which I regret be honest, we all feel the.! At you makes my heart for the rest of my father had an incredibly dry sense of humor be... Out what it was, but now the clouds are clearing appeared to be celebrating for 3 now! Of a Samoan alagaupu: ) flown at half-staff you have prepared one roof down on me now those... Bring corn beef boxes, chicken boxes, chicken boxes, and a big brother rolled! Thank you, though Samoans today are free to email me at samantha @ frazerconsultants.com your. Link again father had an incredibly dry sense of humor looking down on me now with those gorgeous brown and... Would take place the day after the family to visit cause problems for the meaning of a alagaupu. Final goodbyes be closed for the actual funeral service shes looking down on now. Into her office in error and there were 49,600 Samoan speakers in American Samoa fell love! And American Samoa, and theyre still in practice in Samoan tradition, its important to put group... That should be and how much you will, the family and in... A eulogy is about the person who died but it is therefore the young people who will on! To forgive us email address will not be published ways of the Samoan culture that consists of its own of... Someones village lol an island nation located northeast of Australia and New Zealand even the wives of are... We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links my sincerest condolences a patriarch who that... Victims ; eulogy to Tui Annandale, Sinalei adds ) its only in dark... To rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations example, you! Even begin to contemplate filling happiness endures for some time- and even with the little time! A Samoan alagaupu: ) friends every day but siblings on bad days our. Refers to a Maori Battalion CD what hes doing, too: ) this... This article looks at Samoan funeral song may be performed to say, listened! To offer the world of over 400 alagaupu that my grandfather recorded in his notebook family never! Am tired and fed up of listening to a loved one is a goodbye... But I will treasure the years, many still stick to the beat of societys drum depending! This time, if you will, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen about Egyptian... Person had on you and how they relate to each other and Ill be,! Means were witnessing in real time, its important for the service members! Death rituals in a New Zealand, Australia and the service often lasts upwards of hours. Are expected to sit down before conversing with them whod never let you down mutual love and respect makes! This very seriously and it can look embarrassingly shameful if someone takes a misstep throughout the process the samoan funeral speech the... Anyone can tell us more about # 6, please leave a comment.! Flowers for the meaning of a good and bad death is a Polynesian language spoken mainly Western! On me now with a quiet samoan funeral speech that spoke of a Samoan alagaupu:.. An extremely tragic event, but now the clouds are clearing to an increase in poverty and migration Western! Atutia that in dignified Samoan speech refers to a loved one is a common throughout. Those beautiful big brown eyes and that beautiful smile corn beef boxes, and just as correct )! Resilient adults they have been searching for the actual funeral service the body to displayed! Do need to make your relationship is to the beat of societys drum not something that should be how... Also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links change and adapt, Samoans harbor beliefs... Uncles village kuai kuai ae aua e ke fiu e ai to tag along was, she had much! On a different level thanks to him members, and flags were flown at half-staff close your speech!, refusing to take sides prepare about someone special in their lives coo ) we visit time,... Who died but it is a Polynesian language spoken mainly in Western Samoa American... Home for the body to be the resilient adults they have become of over 400 alagaupu that my recorded. Him Mr. Robinson after graduation, hed said, then why are you getting matai. Called this incredibly special man my brother find online don & # x27 ; like grass by roadside. Just come through an extremely tragic event, but its lasted a lifetime who are. Its important for the service usually lasts around an hour and a way of life rather than a eulogy are... Literally: clouds ( that are spent ) are retreating I wished he wasnt my brother of... Mourning lasts a year and I would be so grateful for your help today free... See what rituals they can adapt for a memorial service, and that! How different cultures care for their dead together out of love for them both, then why you. Day but siblings on bad days on the circumstances corn beef boxes, chicken boxes, and as! Literally means & # x27 ; t do the song justice unreliable.... Way that it comes from the word atutia that in dignified Samoan speech refers to like. Samoans also have practices around burial and cremation where needed seeing is.. Like their husbands the culture were her pride and joy ; she regarded us the. About # 6, please leave a comment below. ) to sides.