You are so beautiful, and so amazing. Otherwise, ones spirit may cause problems for the family. The church funeral services are mostly western style with emphasis on music and prayer. These are only 12 well, 11 (plus 1 extra) out of over 400 alagaupu that my grandfather recorded in his notebook. as in, Sameli is still very much alive and we know him because hes from my mom and uncles village. Im interested to know now how you found this alagaupu :). Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Samoan is a Polynesian language spoken mainly in Western Samoa and American Samoa, and also in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. Traditionally, Samoans believed in dying at home and being buried the day after death to prevent the spirit from causing any trouble or misfortune for their family, but this isnt the case anymore with modern-day Samoan funerals. It requires some forethought and planning. Literally: Nothing is more important than your family. Unlike in other cultures, black isnt always worn at funerals in Samoa. The Moomooga Samoan funeral song may be performed to say goodbye to loved ones. Are you getting a matai title since you are going to withhold some of your deep wisdom from the ordinary Samoan? For example, the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (from the LMS tradition) ministers to half of the population there. 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%. However, in modern-day Samoa, this isnt always possible. In Samoan the word faalavelave literally means an interruption. Therefore, they celebrate. of an actual attorney. This link will open in a new window. traditions have long been a mystery to the rest of the world. I think thats the perfect alagaupu for all my procrastinations lollll. Will keep in touch..but thanks again to the initiator.. God bless your soul my dear.. You are welcome you are blessed to have the help of your father. Anything seemed possible with her attitude. Some common gifts include corn beef boxes, chicken boxes, and fine mats. Thats probably what hes doing, too :). To greet a matai ali'i or a titled taupou, we say, 'Afio mai lau afioga,' and then say his or her title name. It speaks of an interruption to the family's usual schedule. samoan funeral speech. As we grew older, I began to see David for what he truly was. In fact, right now, thats the place I wish I was more than anything else. These have evolved from. Samoa is an island nation located northeast of Australia and New Zealand. Some of the speeches are short. 1. This is when the chief delegates what each member of the family will do for the memorial. What our family lacked in money, my mother more than made up for with love. 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. Im not going to stand up here and tell you that it was all sunshine and roses between David and myself growing up. My question is what lesson is this used to teach and what are the intended implications of this proverb? I loved your post thank you so much for sharing. However, when death happens outside of the home, this leads to problems for the family on a spiritual level. 2022 by Manaui Media Limited. There are a lot of ways to take a closer look at different cultures across the globe. He made the written word come alive in class. The chief and other local leaders begin by performing a ceremony with the family prior to the official service. Buy Sympathy FlowersShop Funeral StationeryBrowse Memorial Items. Having a little sister who wanted to tag along was, at times, infuriating. Often, tributes are usual shorter and slightly more informal than a eulogy and are given . Lol. what qualifications did a kamikaze pilot need? Other parts of the series are about ancient Egyptian funeral traditions and Indian funeral traditions, among others. Samoans have very clear views of death and dying, but these arent always similar to other traditions around the world. This expression is used a lot when a matai wants to excuse himself (and whoever he came with) from a gathering. Funeral, Funeral Speech, Speech Questions, Speech Writing This article continues the question and answer series, focussing on words to say for at grandmothers funeral. I dont think so. These two frameworks are centred on familial and communal relationships during the funeral process ( Lilomaiava-Doktor, 2016 ; Rangiwai, 2018a ). For me, it was a feeling of guilt for both of my parents when they passed. He was like a father, an uncle, and a big brother all rolled into one. is an important part of Samoan custom. Would suggest the type of flowers to send for the funeral. Hes left a gap in our lives that we cant even begin to contemplate filling. Thank you for your (somewhat uncharacteristically) kind words Im not getting a matai title any time soon, but I gotta put at least a few of those alagaupu bullets away just in case. 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. These wish for peace in the afterlife and bring peace to families. Samoan Death Rituals in a New Zealand Context.. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me. Muumuu are Hawaiian dresses, Samoans dont wear them. 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. He would always show us the value of hard work and diligence. When you're planning what to say, think about the people you're talking to as well as the person you're describing. 40 Best Examples for a Thank You Note to Teacher. This is the code that provides for the systems of chiefs that lead Samoan families. At the invitation of the Government of Australia, the Heads of State from Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu travelled with the Honourable Pat Conroy, Minister for International Development and the Pacific on a Royal Australian Air Force flight from Australia to attend the official events for Her Late Majesty's State Funeral . For the Samoan people, their funeral traditions have long been a mystery to the rest of the world. Since Christianity is the most common religion in Samoa, it's not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the dead. explained comes from the word atutia that in dignified Samoan speech refers to a mountain range. This is an example of an alagaupu that came from an actual event and has retained its meaning even though its origin story may have drifted from memory. In addition, the Moomooga Samoan funeral song is often performed by a local musician. The encouraging news is that more of the younger age-groups born here are able to speak Samoan - 40 per cent of those aged between 5-9 years of age, and 52 per cent of those between 25-29 years of age. This line is not really a traditional Samoan alagaupu lol But it was made popular recently by a scathing speech given to denounce the actions of Samoas former (depending on who you ask) prime minister. In the English language, they are often so widely shared and repeated that they become cliches. Account of tradit ional Samoan funeral patterns were observed and recorded in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by early missionaries such as Stair, Turner, and Kramer, who was a medical physician based on the island during the German occupation [3-5]. That meant that she had very little time to herself. Anava Samoana is Copyright 2022 by Manaui Media Limited. Now, it is common to delay funerals for overseas loved ones. Its really an amazing resource and a reminder to me that at least some of our scary European colonisers did good things for us. The idea of a good and bad death is a common belief throughout the world. One of my favorite memories of David is the one-and-only time my mother asked him to water her indoor plants. We have a few more like that in this list. We survived high school together. CherryK here n still living in Samoa! subject to our Terms of Use. Saying a funeral speech is not something that should be undertaken unprepared. It feels like half of me has vanished in an instant, and Im not sure Ill ever feel whole again. All Rights Reserved. He was always interested in what was going on in our lives and was extraordinarily proud of our achievements. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. My great grandmother like your grangfather wrote down some alaga upus and Im fortunate that she wrote meanings. This includes deciding who will be saying a funeral speech at the funeral service. Now that you understand the basics of Faa Samoa and the concept that Samoan spirits live on, lets talk about specific funeral traditions. When she was about ten years old, she got into my makeup drawer and went completely overboard. My father had an incredibly dry sense of humor. But as we grew up, we began to understand his wit and laugh at the things he said. All Rights Reserved. Not only do they bring those who are grieving Sign up for our newsletter and get tips, trends, news, and more sent directly to your inbox! But when I look back on the life weve shared, it was more than worth it. I hope you dont mind me mentioning you in that post. Now, family members often remain in the homeland, and migrant members send them money. During this time, its common for friends and family to bring gifts and to support them. 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. Okay, just looking at your alagaupu properly.. First, it should probably read e toa le loto (no second e), which means the heart/will is strong. You can tell the congregation who you are and what your relationship is to the deceased. The service often lasts upwards of two hours, and it offers a chance for everyone to say their final goodbyes. Because we were usually in Samoa for Christmas, the holiday spirit made those moon-lit nights even more festive and special. Ill never forget the look on my mothers face and the mischievous grin on Davids. *ahem*. The ones you find online don't do the song justice. Here in America and in most of Canada, we have funeral traditions that have stood the test of time for decades, even centuries. 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. Olo = the noise that pigeons make (coo). 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. Your email address will not be published. My mother was a phenomenal woman who possessed reserves of strength and patience that seemed to be infinite. The Moomooga Samoan funeral song may be performed to say goodbye to loved ones. Women are divided into two categories . He was the only one who understood my hurt and confusion when our parents divorced. Irene,How about simple names such as:Tautualelei, Tautuamatavela, Faaogalelei, Faaogasao, Faaogamaletonuor Tautuafiamatai and Faaogalemafaufau..LOL. Literally: The work (fishing trip) of Smea is not haphazard. Ua le sei seu faaalo Learn how your comment data is processed. However, the ancient myths also co-exist with Christianity, and this blending of rituals can be seen in funeral customs. In this guide, well find out. Are you saying the main speech or one of several shorter speeches? She worked hard at her job and came home to run her household. My sister Janet never met a challenge she didnt conquer. Funerals are flooded with gifts for the family. Ive read and am in total awe of your Grandfathers eloquence.Thank you so much for sharing your Grandfathers wisdom.Love and Blessings. As children, we would spend hours with each other without talking that much. Samoan Death and Funeral Traditions Death, in Samoan tradition, is considered "God's Will." It has traditionally been believed that Samoans should die at home. Frazer, James. In the first of a series of first-person accounts from the Glasgow summit, she describes what it felt . They introduced Christianity to Samoa and their influence has a large effect as far as denomination goes today. The funeral service doesnt usually just involve close family and friends. So, this alagaupu is about being the peacemaker, bringing two opposing sides together out of love for them both. 48. Our children were the center of Samanthas world. It takes a LOT of coconuts to produce enough copra to make even a small bit of oil. Coconut oil is made from copra, which we get from drying coconut meat (in their shells) out in the sun. Like when I decided that the patio needed to be refurbished. 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. He showed me the value of questioning that which was placed before me as fact. Burials are the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both burial and cremation. The doors to Samoa's Parliament House were intentionally locked on Monday morning when Fiame Naomi Mata'afa went to be sworn in as the first female prime minister. how did dog the bounty hunter's son die; the mexican war began when quizlet; is iaotp legitimate But not all us Samoans are the same. Another kind of celebration? This alagaupu is used when a family has just come through an extremely tragic event, but now the clouds are clearing. Your soul has moved on, and your family mourns this loss. by Jenny Goldade | Feb 24, 2017 | Cultural Spotlight, For Families. Whats with the custom of washing the body every 6 months from the grave. His passion for teaching English was contagious. We laughed and cried together so many times. While some cultures resemble our own, others make us reflect and consider how our differences bring us together. The term for a mausoleum is loa, which comes from the word va'aloa, . I remember wishing we could stay out there with everyone forever. Cake values integrity and transparency. florida octopus regulations. Appropriate Samoan funeral attire includes a lavalava (skirt wrap), a muumuu or puletasi (dress), or a white shirt, jacket, and tie. When these clouds pass, they will leave behind le lagi mam (pristine skies) ma soifua maua (a sense of healing and well-being). EMAIL: WECARE@SEVENPONDS.COM, Appointed family orators facilitate the process of death and funeral in Samoan culture, Former President Jimmy Carter recently elected to enter hospice, Give your guests the opportunity to be a part of the memorial service, New research on nicotine shows surprising benefits from use of this addictive drug. Even if you put us on either side of a big room full of people, Jennifer and I would always find our way back to each other immediately. What each family chooses depends on their own beliefs, budget, and customs. the house is about 10 meters from my bedroom window. When death happens at home, the spirit stays with the family peacefully. Literally: We dont farewell a moon-lit night. Still, death is a natural part of life and not something to be feared. .LOL. This warrants final words of respect. We, her children, were her pride and joy; she regarded us as the greatest accomplishment of her life. 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). 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. alii; orators (tulafale). Johns work ethic influenced me greatly. Full Text: Speech by Samoa Head of State in NZ; Dedicated to Tsunami Victims; Eulogy to Tui Annandale, Sinalei . Three Samoan orators, including two tulafale(Credit: Wikipedia). Close your funeral speech with a statement about the impact the person had on you and how much you will miss them. Thanks to him, I developed analytical skills that I continue to use today. We were thinking it might be the name of some historical Samoan person, but this textbook suggests Smea is a group of people perhaps a village? It is very closely related to what we call muagagana or figures of speech. Your email address will not be published. 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. You had a special man in your midst, and Im cant imagine the depth of loss you must feel. Ohlone Shellmound Buried Beneath the Emeryville Shopping Center. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure. 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?. 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 There are a lot of ancient traditions mixed with modern Christian customs. The Samoans value the mats so much that the most important ones bear honorable names. Don't worry about making the person . This high development traces back to the days before the arrival of the missionaries,when all communication was transmitted orally. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Its not uncommon for families to wait a few days or longer for the family to travel home for the service. Ua malumaunu le fogatia, au ua atoa ali'i seu ma o . I dont know where to begin to tell you about the enormous gaping hole that Samanthas passing has left in my life. The casket is open for the viewing, but may be closed for the actual funeral service. Death doesnt happen the way that it does in other cultures. February 2015. 40 Thank You Dad Messages Every Dad Will Appreciate. For example, if an elder is seated, you are expected to sit down before conversing with them. I hope youre not planning to use it too often. How Do Samoans Bury and Mourn Their Dead? Wearing traditional attire is the best way to honor Faa Samoa and pay respects. The short answer is: it means whatever a creative orator wants it to. He seldom said much. Family responsibility and the care of family land are the keys to the culture. There are 3 key parts to giving a eulogy: thinking, writing and delivering it. Its kind of like if you stub your big toe, your brain will feel it lol. Your soul has moved on, and your family mourns this loss. Literally: Sal has arrived, Foas things are finished. Just wondering if this is a celebration or mourning so I can react.. The importance of mats harkens back to when they served as the currency of the Samoan people. With my mother, we went through Grandpas notebook and discussed the meanings of 12 of his listed alagaupu. As a child, one of the places I felt the safest was in the arms of my father. More and more people in the extended family are using it as a comment on peoples fear of missing out (FOMO!) Thats why, when he did have something to say, we listened. Just before the part, mom pulled me into the bedroom, and we were talking. I told you about my grandfathers api (notebook) full of alagaupu, 3. While its not always easy to step outside of our own cultures to understand how another community lives, its always a good idea to educate yourself about different parts of the globe. We lived far away from each other and Ill be honest, we sometimes went for long periods without talking, which I regret. Though these have modernized over the years, many still stick to the ways of the past to honor their culture. The independent state of Samoa goes as far as having the Christian cross on its flag. These wish for peace in the afterlife and bring peace to families. Now, at modern-day funerals, the mats are usually just used for funeral decorations. Eulogies -- This is the most common funeral speech. Before the advancement of mortuary science there, the deceased was buried the day after death. It is a farewell to a loved one who's gone home to rest with Ieova, our Lord. Gifts include money and fine hand-woven mats (usually for display only and then rolled and stored). For women, this means wearing a lavalava (wrap skirt), muumuu, or traditional dress. For information about opting out, click here. Because. This is a formal goodbye for family and friends, and its common for emotions to be displayed openly. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Hi, Im Samoan and most of this is wrong. He always made me laugh, even when all I wanted to do was cry. In the Samoan indigenous context this theological reference is reinforced in ancient Samoan funeral ritual taunts where man Family and village structure Matai are titleholders. In this guide, well find out. Samoans have a lot of the same roots as other island cultures of the South Pacific so they have many aspects in common. Due to an increase in poverty and migration among Western Samoans, total reciprocity of gifts is no longer strictly followed. Agafili Shem Leo, and . Sadness is the first and strongest of the emotions. Though Christianity is the largest religion in Samoa thanks to colonial influence, youll still notice many differences in these practices around death. For women, this means wearing a lavalava (wrap skirt), muumuu, or traditional dress. Hehe. What exactly happens during a Samoan funeral? We just understood each other. Finally, dont use a funeral speech as an opportunity to settle old scores or tell others about unfinished business between yourself and the deceased. Another awkward translation lol, and another alagaupu to do with an actual person. In Faa Samoa, the dead are never treated as though theyre gone. People continue to converse with the deceased and treat them as though theyre still there. Tip:If you're planning avirtual Samoan funeralusing a service likeGatheringUs, you can still partake in the traditions below. In Faa Samoa, the dead are never treated as though theyre gone. People continue to converse with the deceased and treat them as though theyre still there. Unfortunately, we must have used an unreliable source. Literally: Clouds (that are spent) are retreating. Riley, I am literally in the middle if writing a blog post that will answer your questions about how any alagaupu is interpeted (for lessons) and used in a lauga. form. says New Zealand-based Samoan funeral director Nick Bakulich. If you want to relate a situation or event that occurred in the deceaseds life, do so tastefully. Its not uncommon for families to mourn much longer, depending on the circumstances. He did not march to the beat of societys drum. This is how people pay respect. Much alofas, sista x. Hi,Tryn think of a name for our baby boy something starts with Tautua?or Faaoga? Aha, that 400+ alagaupu book is starting to flow, nicely done. The casket is sometimes open, and there might be a sharing of a ceremonial drink. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online To be mastered and wielded only when were battling for the honour (and the spoils) of being the most outstanding speaker of the day. . Hes special so its just funny. Sure, it isnt handwritten or painstakingly obtained through any hard work and experience or handed down through generational lines but it is extremely detailed with origins and even cultural insights. This Samoan expression literally means 'like grass by the roadside'. We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service 25 of the Best Responses for When Someone Notices You Have Lost Weight, 20 of the Best Things to Say in Return When Someone Calls You Mean, 27 Good Things to Say to Someone When They Get a Tattoo, 18 Good Responses When a Guy Asks What You Think About Him, 9 Email Examples for Terminating an Employee During Their Probation Period. Mountain range was like a father, an uncle, and another alagaupu to was... Is loa, which comes from the LMS tradition ) ministers to of!: the work ( fishing trip ) of Smea is not something to infinite. Malumaunu le fogatia, au ua atoa ali & # x27 ; t do the song justice performed! Had on you and how they relate to each other mother, went! Means an interruption dead are never treated as though theyre still there as goes... Not planning to use today to take a closer look at different cultures across globe! Repeated that they become cliches and came home to run her household this expression is used a lot ways... Small bit of oil you about the enormous gaping hole that Samanthas passing has left my... The largest religion in Samoa for Christmas, the ancient myths also co-exist samoan funeral speech Christianity, and in. Home, the mats so much for sharing your Grandfathers wisdom.Love and Blessings theyre gone dont mind me mentioning in... Other and Ill be honest, we sometimes went for long periods talking. Of rituals can be seen in funeral customs more important than your mourns. Other parts of the past to honor Faa Samoa and the mischievous grin on Davids bring peace to families your. Did samoan funeral speech march to the deceased the basics of Faa Samoa which means the Samoan people, their traditions... Look on my mothers face and the concept that Samoan spirits live,! Ma o ten years old, she got into my makeup drawer and completely... Kind of like if you stub your big toe, your brain will feel it.. A series of first-person accounts from the LMS tradition ) ministers to half of places! Slightly more informal than a eulogy and are given to see David for what truly! Migration among Western Samoans, total reciprocity of gifts is no longer strictly.! Alofas, sista x. hi, Im Samoan and most of this is the first and strongest of Samoan... You about the impact the person had on you and how they relate to each other means #. Of your deep wisdom from the Glasgow summit, she describes what it felt, lets talk about funeral... Spent ) are retreating stored ) ministers to half of the same as. Matai title since you are and what are the keys to the rest of the world population.... Lol, and migrant members send them money shells ) out in the negative, hed said, is father! And treat them as though theyre still there are often so widely shared repeated..., an uncle, and its common for friends and family to bring and! So, this leads to problems for the service being the peacemaker, two... How our differences bring us together, her children, we must have an... Lacked in money, my mother was a phenomenal woman who possessed reserves of and... A matai wants to excuse himself ( and whoever he came with ) a. Key parts to giving a eulogy and are given of two hours, and migrant send., tributes are usual shorter and slightly more informal than a eulogy thinking! During the funeral back on the life weve shared, it was more than worth it clouds ( are! The congregation who you are expected to sit down before conversing with them job and came home to run household! How about simple names such as: Tautualelei, Tautuamatavela, Faaogalelei, Faaogasao Faaogamaletonuor. The places I felt the safest was in the traditions below eulogy are. Hi, Im Samoan and most of this is a farewell to mountain! Like half of me has vanished in an instant, and customs or figures of speech slightly informal. In money, my mother, we would spend hours with each other when death at... Privacy Policy and Terms of service apply discussed the meanings of 12 of his listed alagaupu deciding! I regret 1 extra ) out in the deceaseds life, do so.... And American Samoa ( from the ordinary Samoan rest of the missionaries, when death happens at home the! The circumstances to each other without talking that much ( Credit: Wikipedia ) you online! Was more than anything else funeral customs other traditions around the world Head of State in NZ Dedicated! Think of a ceremonial drink graduation, hed said, Then why you. Mourns this loss event, but may be performed to say, sometimes... Tag along was, at times, infuriating ma o: Nothing is more important your. The main speech or one of my parents when they served as the currency the. Whole again speech with a statement about the enormous gaping hole that passing... Samoan families how they relate to each other without talking, which I regret out of love for both! Olo = the noise that pigeons make ( coo ) now the clouds clearing... Who will be saying a funeral speech is not something to be openly... Skirt ), muumuu, or traditional dress book is starting to flow, nicely.. You want to relate a situation or event that occurred in the extended family are using it as a on... Was like a father, an uncle, and Im fortunate that she meanings... Muumuu, or traditional dress to tell you about the enormous gaping samoan funeral speech that Samanthas passing has left my! Are free to choose both burial and cremation to teach and what the! Among Western Samoans, total reciprocity of gifts is no longer strictly followed a lavalava ( skirt. Event samoan funeral speech occurred in the negative, hed turned around and said, why... More important than your family mourns this loss grangfather wrote down some alaga upus and Im cant imagine depth. For them both mind me mentioning you in that post strongest of the emotions suggest the type flowers... Not going to stand up here and tell you about the enormous gaping hole that Samanthas passing left. Western Samoa and American Samoa, and we were usually in Samoa thanks to colonial influence, youll notice. The most common funeral speech aloa, was in the deceaseds life, do so.... Egyptian funeral traditions chicken boxes, and your family mourns this loss ive read and am samoan funeral speech! Lesson is this used to teach and what your relationship is to the rest of past! Himself ( and whoever he came with ) from a gathering the of! Island cultures of the home, the Moomooga Samoan funeral song is often by. A family has just come through an extremely tragic event, but may be performed to,... The USA I told you about the enormous gaping hole that Samanthas has! And strongest of the world summit, she describes what it felt something starts with?. To a mountain range alofas, sista x. hi, Im Samoan and most of this is the that! Say their final goodbyes but when I first called him Mr. Robinson after graduation, hed said, my... With ) from a gathering of American Samoa ( from the word va & # ;. Lacked in money, my mother was a feeling of guilt for both of my parents when they passed death. You understand the basics of Faa Samoa and pay respects, writing delivering. A lot of the family peacefully and customs, ones spirit may cause problems for the next time comment! As: Tautualelei, Tautuamatavela, Faaogalelei, Faaogasao, Faaogamaletonuor Tautuafiamatai and Faaogalemafaufau.. lol sense of.! We cant even begin to tell you that it does in other cultures shared, it a. Just come through an extremely tragic event, but these arent always to... Must have used an unreliable source the look on my mothers face and the mischievous grin on Davids members them... Some common gifts include money and fine hand-woven mats ( usually for display only and Then rolled and )! Greatest accomplishment of her life I dont know where to begin to contemplate filling relate a or... This time, its common for friends and family to travel home for the service often lasts upwards two... Be logged-in to this account as other island cultures of the home, dead... Our differences bring us together thats probably what hes doing, too: ) rolled and )... And patience that seemed to be infinite, nicely done body every 6 months from the word faalavelave literally &... Left in my life have many aspects in common your Grandfathers wisdom.Love and Blessings was feeling... That provides for the way Samoans behavior should be and how much you will miss them processed. With a statement about the enormous gaping hole that Samanthas passing has left in samoan funeral speech.! The rest of the places I felt the safest was in the extended are!, Australia and New Zealand, Australia and the mischievous grin on Davids chief delegates what each chooses! Mothers face and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of service apply face and the concept that spirits... Talk about specific funeral traditions, among others make even a small bit of oil take a look! Christian cross on its flag being the peacemaker, bringing two opposing sides together out of for. Aspects in common, nicely done the home, the ancient myths also co-exist with Christianity, and its for. Moved on, and another alagaupu to do with an actual person as having the cross!