samoan sayings about death

The deck of the large double canoe is roomy and able to carry heavy loads. Not so long ago there was a village there, whose people are now living in Falevai, a fuaiala (section) of Falelatai. The saying refers to retribution in a good and in a bad sense. Upu faifai applied to a person who talks nonsense or behaves foolishly; also to one who neglects his personal appearance. 110. Use iTalki for 1-on-1 lessons in over 150 languages to supercharge your learning! Read our, Remembering a Loved One During the Holidays, Differences Between Normal and Complicated Grief, Turning to Grief Counseling When You Need Help, 5 Stages of Grief When Facing a Terminal Diagnosis, Signs You Are Experiencing Disenfranchised Grief, How to Deal with the Grief of Losing a Child. The purlins are well joined. The Samoan arrows had one or more prongs. The sapatu (barracuda) is a big predatory fish which, when caught, is very violent. Samoan Blessed is the moon; it goes but it comes back again. In return the owner will receive a gift of food. 73. The saying means: To countermine another's evil designs. Ufiufi manu gase. Ua to i lologamata. Ua se fau e ta'i. The fish, too, lie in wait for it. The seeming weakness of the octopus. Like the crying of the pu that is going to die. To'ai fa'a i'a a po. E sa'olele le tuamafa i lou finagalo. 168. Matala'oa was a bush village in Falealili, inland of Poutasi. Va i lupe maua. When day broke the latter saw that his plan had miscarried. Change). He invited all the tautai (fishers and sailors) of Samoa to come to Laua and help him. The information I have had from the natives convinces me that the second explanation is the correct one. Upu vivi'i referring to a small but influential family or village, a calm but momentous speech and to similar circumstances. 123). Si'i le matalalaga. Another explanation is as follows: For the capture of the dolphin (masimasi) the hook is baited with flying fish. E le'i iloa i Saua; e le iloa i le fa'alagamaea. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa: An undertaking miscarries through the negligence of one of the participants. 163. The eels rushed the people and started to devour them. One day her brother went out to noose sharks and stayed away a long time. The tree still stands but it is doomed. The lou is a long pole with a crook at the end, used in gathering breadfruit. 11. Negligence, too, may be the cause of an uneven plait; the woman then usually tries to rectify her mistake in the second half. If at first you dont succeed try, try and try again. Ia moe le ufu, to'a le paipai. Upu alofa: expressions of love, compassion, and sympathy. 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. (LogOut/ The land where her house stood now belongs to Chief Auva'a. ", "Sympathy is a little medicine to soothe the ache in another's heart. When the breadfruit harvest comes, the lou will be found, too. 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. Upu vivi'i: Ua se fau e ta'i le nu'u neithe people of this village are all of the same opinion (ua tapulima fa'atasi, loto gatasi). In Tutuila people knew how to catch sea birds with- - 162 out a decoy (No. O le i'a a vai malo. Avetu ni lo, aumai ni lo. 50. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa. Do not enquire too deeply into the things which do not concern you, e.g., the affairs of another family (aua e te sagolegole). Mocking words meaning: Dont speak boastfully about the loss of an object whose existence was unknown. The fishermen said Ua tagi le pu ina ua maua i le upega, o le a mate. (The pu cries because it is caught in the net where it will die.). The papata crab had born a child and there was much rejoicing among the relatives. O le fogatia ua malu maunu. O le i'a a tautai e alu i le fa'alolo. 145. 172. The swarms of lo (whitebait) usually appear first at Fagaiofu, a sandy coast between Falelatai and Lefaga. I am not competent to judge how the unavau's poison is communicated to the pelupelu, whether this happens in the sea or when the two fish are accidentally cooked together. The stalks of the wild yam are all jumbled. A Samoan saying about life which means even though life takes us in different directions, we will always find our way back to our loved ones. Please share to your friends: Sightbefore hearsay. He is like an arrow that lies about in the house. To this the Samoans compare a brother who will rush in among troops after his wounded brother, even if he should be killed himself. This explanation is by no means exhaustive. With a thread pulled through the young birds nostrils, he tied up the fledgeling's bill in such a way that it was still able to cry but not to swallow. Change Language {{#items}} {{local_title}} Jesus Death, Resurrection & Return. 2018;7(Suppl 1):AB016. 191. Explore. The large double war canoe ('alia) and the two-bowed taumualua have been superseded by the big row-boats which the natives have learned to build European style. Compare also Nos. 16. O le fili va i fale. If you have to form a resolution, do not revolve the matter in your own mind only, but discuss it with others. Like the taro holes in Asau. When the saying is applied to girls (o le i'a vai tama'ita'i), it is used as a faianaga (jest). 17. Ua tu'u i tai le va'a tele. For example, the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (from the LMS tradition) ministers to half of the population there. The surprised Ulumu could not but recognize Lefao's dexterity. When the parents returned, they were so terrified at the young one's inability to eat, that they left all caution aside and could be caught easily. SCNT: Samoan Contemporary New Testament . Upu vivi'i: A figure of speech for speed.. It flies where it will and the others follow. O le va'a fau po fau ao. 68. The fact is that, now and then, fatal poisonings occur after the natives have partaken of pelupelu that were caught with an unavau. From the bodily warmth of the one who sits or lies on it. E tenetene fua le livaliva, 'ae sagasaga 'ai le vili ia. I think it is simply used as a faianaga, a jest referring to a lean person. 124. O le mafuli a puou. On a narrow neck of land near Puipa'a in Faleata there was a tia. The following saying is based on the same story. Fa'ape'ape'a le tu. An orator who digresses from his topic and speaks now of this, now of that, so that no one knows what he wants to say (fa'a le maua se tonu) is compared to the ise fisher who swings his net in every direction. In this state, which is considered a symbol of repose, it is known as ufu. 46. Upu vivi'i: Traditions, family trees and the happenings of ancient times are not forgotten, but survive among the people. ", "Old age is not as honorable as death, but most people want it. It looks as if it were all made with one and the same mesh-stick. 176. Notwithstanding its soft body the octopus is a powerful fish. We may also use affiliate links for other programmes. Upu faifai referring to a lazy person or a shirker who will not lend a hand at a job undertaken by the community. The tropic bird is careful of its long tail feathers. A decision made at night may be changed in the morning. Upu faifai: Why don't you pay respect and deference to others? The mago fled towards Savai'i followed by the pa'itele. I am a man who must obey orders. Ua 'atoa le faga i Laua. 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. To catch one pigeon after the other. Upu fa'aaloalo or vivi'i referring to the speech of a high chief or a tulafale who brooks no contradiction. A few examples include: " Ku'ia Kahele aka na'au ha'aha'a :" "A humble person walks carefully so as not to hurt others." Enjoy reading and share 5 famous quotes about Inspirational Samoan with everyone. Otherwise, ones spirit may cause problems for the family. When a crab is caught it is pierced with its own leg. 112). Upu faifai referring to a person who brags in a difficult situation when he knows that help is near. This practice can be quite a financial burden on Samoan families particularly if there are a number of funerals in a short amount of time. Aumai le u matatasi e fana a'i le lupe ua i le filifili. Like things carried out of the rain. Thank you so much for the extensive info. 1. Ua mua'i ta i'a Fagaiofu. Upu fa'alumaluma applied to a fop or a dandy who only thinks of grooming himself and is useless for serious things, such as war. O le io i mata o le tama o le teine The pupil of the brothers eye is his sister. ", "The ugliest life is better than the nicest death. In Tutuila the sea birds that rest exhausted on the cliffs are caught with nets without the aid of decoy birds. Ia oloolo pitova'a. The inhabitants of the coast finally determined to rid themselves of the oppressor. Upu fa'aalualu: (1) In a discussion each one should tell his opinion unreservedly; only then can the right decision be reached. They can be particularly useful when you are simply trying to find the right words and need a little inspiration. 180. Ia fua le niu. 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. A tame pigeon having strayed or escaped from its master and failed to find its usual resting place, will sit on the pola of the first house it finds. E sua le 'ava, 'ae to le 'ata. Upu fa'aalualu. A fourth arrow for emergencies lies behind the hunter and may be shot in any direction. Samoan The peaceful demonstration erupted into violence when the NZ military police opened fire on the marchers. Gathered into a flock from different parts of the forest. When this contraption has been destroyed deliberately or otherwise, the fishermen will come and rebuild it. Type-written copy. An old childless couple of Neiafu were gathering dry coconut leaves (material for lighting and cooking). Chris Raymond is an expert on funerals, grief, and end-of-life issues, as well as the former editor of the worlds most widely read magazine for funeral directors. Avetu ni lo, aumai ni lo. He is like the tropic bird which is proud of its feathers. Like the swift that never rests. The people hunted mostly with the help of decoy birds. Ua penapena i tua o tai i'a. 99. Its used to describe someone who has no fixed abode. The paths in the bush are never obliterated. III.MANUAL WORK INSIDE AND OUT OF THE HOUSE. Applied to a resolution corresponding to what is customary in the family or the village. We must be of one mind in the undertaking. There the instruments remain together, one knowing the other. Samoan May it end with threats and not come to blows. When the thief returned and saw the charm, he was frightened. 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. A Samoan proverb which means that current trials are coming to an end. 123, 201. The sting-ray (fai) has a sharp barbed spine in its tail with which it can inflict severe wounds. When the men prepared for the hunt of the manuali'i they first made an offering to the gods, such as a bunch of bananas. Originally this was used metaphorically for a beautiful calm day when the sea and the mountains are perfectly visible. They can comfort those who are mourning alone or help you as you write a eulogy or pen a condolence letter. Dale is an experienced fact-checker and researcher with a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism. Ala mutiaan old road. It also refers to elderly or sick people whose days are numbered, but in this case it may not be used in the presence of the person to whom it is applied. Pili cast his net by himself. Saying "hello" is as simple as ml in an informal setting. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and Savaii, one of the biggest islands in Polynesia.More on Samoa from Wikipedia! All the crabs came to see the baby Sina and they brought food for the mother as is right and proper. Should such a bird fly over the tia, it will be ignored by the hunters as only pigeons are wanted. The crab brags about its legs. See more ideas about samoan, samoan quotes, polynesian culture. 176. The fuga has soft dorsal fins; the maono, hard and spiny ones. Ua pona i vao, 'ae liai'iina i ala. O le upega tautau, ae fagota. It is like the fishing of the heron. 160. I was also told that Seu foga'afa designates a usage customary at the alafaga and resembles the malagafaga (No. (Samoan Proverb) More Samoan Proverbs (Based on Topics) Love Proverbs - Life Proverbs - Death & Dying Proverbs - Success Proverbs - Happiness Proverbs - Friendship Proverbs - View All Topics. Sei fono le paa mona vae. Refers to a chief of the second rank who gives an order which no one obeys. Used by someone whose opinion has not been sought. Not a pigeon is cooing. The leaves of the pandanus, used for making the mats called fala, have a few spines at the tip. E le se tunuma ma moe fa'atasi. A figure of speech for vavalalata, to live in close proximity. So many fish were caught in it, that the boats could not hold them and many had to be thrown back into the sea. Nevertheless, Ulumu could not help protesting against his opponent's unsportsmanlike behaviour, but the latter tried to sooth him with the words: Sau ia, ia e fa'amolemole. He who wishes to avoid Scylla falls into Charybdis. The net that became entangled in the night will be disentangled in the morning. If he is doing this awkwardly, so that the motion of his hand can be seen, the wild pigeons will be suspicious and fly away. He who wrongs one threatens many. According to Pratt: Applied by one of himself when speaking before great chiefs., 97. Delight in the hunter's hut. 8. This expression is one of the best Samoan quotes about family. When one party has, with much trouble, conquered another and established a government, it has to watch lest its newly acquired power be wrested from it. It is, therefore, compared to a quarrelsome person. The bow and the stern are partly decked in. The galo is frequently found in this lagoon. They also decided that the Fijian method of fishing being so unsatisfactory, should no longer be taught to others. 158. This is the order given by the leader when the hunt is to be terminated. Popular Origins. Upu faifai referring to a person who meddles with other people's affairs without the slightest reason. With people it is different. When the aitu wanted to return, he became entangled in the net and cried out in a loud voice. The king is dead, long live the king. Central to this culture is the Faamatai. ", "An advantage of poverty, your relatives gain nothing by your death. These Samoan quotes about love and family give an interesting insight into the Samoan beliefs and language. The tautai alone has the right to push down the net and catch the fish. The first shark caught in a new boat must be presented to the village by the owner of the boat. If the boards met exactly in the centre, the job was completed. Used when refering to a small but influential village or family. 54. 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. Even European building material is rarely used in the construction of native houses. 7. One is for the birds approaching in front, the other for the birds coming from the right and the third for those from the left. Upu vivi'i: An enterprise conducted with zeal and care. Let each plant two taros in a particular spot. 3. A visiting matai applies these words to himself when he thinks that, owing to his presence, his - 161 hosts are prevented from discussing their affairs. 94. Thus says a person who has not been invited to express his opinion at a council meeting. Upu vivi'i used of a person or a community that performs an undertaking unassisted. 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. 11. The pigeons are scattered in the bush to look for food, to mate, etc. Give water to the black birds. From the direction of the wind. Ua o gatasi le futia ma le umele. 93. Rebuke for relatives, friends and neighbours who are quarrelsome and trying to harm one another. Upu faifai referring to a person who feigns love and affection. Our lives are decreed to be taken by the gods. To use thatch a second time. 53. Don't be overhasty. You love them because of the way they meet their challenges, how they struggle to overcome. 134. The following morning it is properly put in order. 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Crying of the forest knowing the other 7 ( Suppl 1 ): AB016 and Lefaga Tutuila sea... Alafaga and resembles the malagafaga ( no a day of death tua o i! It looks as if it were all made with one and the same.... Fact-Checker and researcher with a crook at the tip and saw the,... Mats called fala, have a few spines at the alafaga and resembles the malagafaga ( no sea and same...