Ua saia fua le ma'ave'ave le fua. Used when refering to a small but influential village or family. To join another at his meal like the crayfish. Like the tip of the pandanus leaf. 78. A paddle lying on this half deck may easily fall off. Consolatory words used at the death of a matai: Every generation has its chiefs and orators. May you grow in a swamp. As to each coconut leaf belongs a cluster of young nuts, so each individual belongs to his family. "One is certain only of death." Patupatu amo fale. For the community hunt a tia (cleared space in the bush for hunting) was prepared and shelters or hiding places erected for the individual hunters. Overcoming Fear of Death. Entering the house, he poured the fish in front of his guest. When lying in the sand, they can easily hurt one another. Let the crab take counsel with its leg. Translated into English by H. Neffgen, Govt. (See full affiliate disclosure.). The heaviest object, i.e., the house, is carried by the strongest fellowthe Cinderellawho has to do all the heavy work. The shade of the high trees in the forest will not allow the weeds to come up and the path is always visible. The pa'itele tried to follow, but it was so big that it got stuck. This phrase literally means pick the breadfruits on the far-off branches first. The purlins are well joined. 174. From this we have the saying: O le fa'afiti a tautai. The tropic bird's breastbone is visible. When a bonito has taken the bait, the fisherman will swing in his rod with a forward motion on the starboard side, the canoe still moving on. Lua mata is a figure of speech for a small taro patch; to 'ese is elliptical for toto i se mea 'ese. The god gave him a fetish (tupua) which the man hung up in an aoa tree (banyan). She lived in a small hut behind the big house occupied by her brother and his family. 30. Jan 12, 2022 - This post lists famous Samoan quotes, inspiring Samoan sayings and famous Samoan proverbs that give an insight into Samoan beliefs & way of life. 18. The Samoans maintain that if a single unavau happens to be in a swarm of pelupelu, the latter will all be poisonous. The fish caught in the net looks for some advantage, namely for a hole through which it may regain its liberty. Finding no blossoms it will set on the leaves. Never judge things of. Upu fa'amaulalo meaning: If I have caused some trouble, such as a quarrel, I must try my best to set things right. I have developed a Samoan mentality. Do not fish with the stick. 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. Put the gouge aside. Upu vivi'i referring to a small but influential family or village, a calm but momentous speech and to similar circumstances. 110. When the middle post is broken, the side posts cannot withstand (the weight of the roof). 102. Ua le se'i seu fa'aalo. Later the shark went to Foa and proposed to Sinafalemoa, the daughter of the chief. A decision made at night may be changed in the morning. When the members of a family are fishing with their net another person will, perhaps, put to sea and join them in the hope that he will get his share of the catch after having assisted them. Ia ifo le fuiniu i le lapalapa. A Samoan quote about death which highlights how permanent death is. A decision made at night may be changed in the morning. 23 Samoan Proverbs 1. The pigeons are scattered in the bush to look for food, to mate, etc. The wisdom shown at lauloa fishing. After the harvest the pole will be laid aside or thrown away. 49. 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. Upu fa'amaulalo and upu faifai. The proverb advised that People aren't good unless others are made better by them. O le mafuli a puou. The jumping about of a newly caught bird. Upu faifai: offensive expressions, insults. 41. Upu taofiofi: Be careful in an undertaking and mind the obstacles. Ua numi le fau. Since the spread of Christianity the saying refers to the repose of the soul after death. O le sapatu motu pa. 72. See No. The chiefs and orators make the decisions, but the common people (tagatalautele) must carry them into effect and suffer all the consequent hurt and damage, e.g., after a declaration of war. It is also used as an upu fa'amaulalo: Fa'amolemole, ai a'u nei ua ou le seu fa'aalo. 191. Quotes tagged as "samoa" Showing 1-9 of 9. (Abridged. Upu fa'aulaula, alofa or fa'anoanoa: He who comes too late must content himself with what is left. 123. 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. These proverbs and sayings reflect those thoughts: There is a time for everything, including humor. It is becoming to listen to and to consider the speech of a distinguished orator. The numerous muagagana (proverbial expressions) relating to pigeon catching prove how popular the sport was with the Samoans. I shouldn't say fat, that might offend him, but he's Samoan and claims to have seen ghosts. A careless person will be taken by surprise by his watchful enemy. " A hui hou :" "Until we meet again." Samoan Sin is carried in the mouth. Upu vivi'i: A figure of speech for speed.. We need a bigger gun." Death is a reminder that our lives are finite. The middle portion of the roof and the round ends are then carried to their new emplacement. The bonito is pursued by the swordfish. Sili le foe. Two persons, families or villages related to each other but unequal in strength, means, number, etc. 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. 29. ", "The only truly dead are those who have been forgotten. Ua le fa'asino pu, le tautu'u palapala. This is the code that provides for the systems of chiefs that lead Samoan families. 123). The independent state of Samoa goes as far as having the Christian cross on its flag. When a ti plantation has been abandoned, the plants are not choked by the weeds but will grow up again as soon as the weeds are removed. First friends, then broken heads. May it end with threats and not come to blows. It means, to refrain from further participation in an affair; to leave the decision to another. The saying is used in a fono (council meeting) by an orator who interrupts another speaker or who wishes to express a different opinion. Ua 'ou seuseu ma le fata. Mutiagiagi are the four small rafters in the gable of the round end of the Samoan house. 23. Its Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. The first shark caught in a new boat must be presented to the village by the owner of the boat. Upu faifai applied to a community (family, village, district) composed of many but unimportant individuals. When a village is making a new net, the nearby villages are not allowed to fish for some time before its completion. The modern firearm has put an end to the old Samoan sport. Applications: (1) The news is not true, but it has spread too far to be retracted. Matala'oa was a bush village in Falealili, inland of Poutasi. 156. The god shows his power in the banyan tree. He will say to the tautai: Fa'amolomole, o lo'u va'a o le va'a si'i vale, au ou sau lava i lo'u fia fagota, i.e., I beg your pardon; I have launched my canoe without a good excuse; I have come to help you. The hunting implements are hung up. In other societies, death is regarded as a specter no one talks about. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa expressing disappointment when one's expectations are not realized or when a counsel given is disregarded. Should the fish or the line strike the outrigger (this may happen to an inexperienced or a hasty fisherman) the hook is likely to be torn out and the fish will be lost. The aitu tried hard to free himself and the fishermen feared he would tear the net. (A copy is in the Alexander Turnbull Library.). 11. Se'i lua'i lou le 'ulu taumamao. The Samoans say that the greedy heron eats all the fish it catches and brings nothing to its family. Fa'aoti (from oti, to die) is a figure of speech for fa'auma (completely, so that nothing is left). 91. This refers to the preparations for the hunt of the manuali'i. One good turn Like a fish, one should look for a hole in the net. The saying is also used as an upu fa'amaulalo. The hunter is interested only in those wild pigeons that appear in front of his hut. Birds were caught either with a hoop-net or in a cage in whose open top the decoy bird (manutagi) was fettered. Even European building material is rarely used in the construction of native houses. Ia seu le manu, 'ae silasila i le galu. 118. Sep 5, 2018 - Explore Jean's board "Samoan Sayings" on Pinterest. The lou is a long pole with a crook at the end, used in gathering breadfruit. 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. In order to settle a dispute, it is necessary to be clear about its causes. The crab dies by its own leg. Version. This expression is one of the best Samoan quotes about family. The following are the principal game birds: the lupe (pigeon), the manutagi (a small species of pigeon), the manuali'i, the ve'a (swamphen), the tava'e (tropic bird), the gogo and some other sea birds. Upu fa'amaulalo. 111. One is unsuccessful because of weakness, stupidity or for other reasons; the other meets with success. The unavau is a poisonous fish that occasionally appears in a school of edible pelupelu. 162. 44. Thus say the hunters when, entering the bush, they notice no sign of the game. There isn't a right or wrong way to grieveonly the way that is right for you. Upu fiafia used at the reception of relatives, friends or guests. Interpreter. The galo is a full grown fish, which in its earlier stages is called fugausi and laea. A beautiful Samoan quote about love meaning that brothers protect their sisters. Fa'i pea le pou i Faleolo, 'ai su'e le i'a a Leaosavai'i. This pictures a fisher who sits in his boat on a dark night and is startled by the sudden appearance of a shark. 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. 181. It is actually used as a request to be respectful. The Tulafales Role: Samoan Oratorial Traditions for Death and 11. The fish-hook is incorrectly bound. The saying is used when some person meets with some unexpected fortune while his thoughts and actions were directed to something else. 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. Mocking words referring to common people who begin to eat before the high chiefs, and to similar cases. In wet soil taro thrives particularly well; it is, therefore, whenever possible, raised in a swamp. Upu faanoanoa or alofa referring to a person who has come to harm through anothers fault. The space between the huts at the ve'a hunt. (Ua sese le ta i le tafao, ua sese le ta ona o le va'ai 'ese.). O le a gase manu vao, 'ae ola manu fanua. 6. The lavalava covers the design. The translation is not made in correct English, but as far as possible literally according to the German original. (Only 5 copies made.). In 1830, representatives arrived from London Missionary Society (LMS). Ua sa'a i le tai le upega o Pili. To catch the first pigeon of the day is considered a special achievement. Mocking words applied to a boaster. When a tauta (landman, oppos. Like the young of the turtle. The Fijian used bow and arrow; the other fished with a spear like the Samoans. 195. 126. ", "Old age is not as honorable as death, but most people want it. Upu taofiofi: Act after mature reflection. Mago is a species of shark; pa'itele was a sea-monster about which little is known. A Samoan proverb about patiently enduring an injustice. O le malie ma le tu'u malie. 88. Some parts are polished with puga, others with 'ana. His work in the village is useful. 107. Ua solo le falute. 103. O le va'a ua seu vale, 'a o ala le mafua. The barracuda that sleeps apart. Ua savini fa'apunuamanu. When the plant sprouts once more, the tuber can still be used; but as soon as it has new leaves, the tuber becomes uneatable. Ua fa'afaiva o matu'u. Words of encouragement: Let us die together. Often one hears this saying at the reception of guests. Nafanua, the war goddess, dwelt in Falealupo, Savai'i. Applied to the loss a family or a village suffers by the death of a matai or an influential chief. That is why, after the harvest, they use the old holes a second time. For the next harvest the old lou will be fetched again or a new one will be made. 85. Inspirational Samoan famous quotes & sayings: Augustine of Hippo: Life is a misery, death an uncertainty. The Samoans compare this state of repose to grief and mourning and maintain that the matulau is then often seen in company of the gatala. 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