The Samoan fale is built in such a way that it can be taken into parts to be transported to some other place. O le a sosopo le manu vale i le fogatia. 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. See you later. Dale is an experienced fact-checker and researcher with a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism. The modern firearm has put an end to the old Samoan sport. (Compare Nos. According to Kraemer the hunters climb the rock and kill the sleeping birds or seize them with their hands. The king had a pa but he did not know how to tie it correctly into a fish-hook. Muagagana (from mua, first, excellent and gagana, language, speech) could be translated: embellishment of the language, elevated style. ", "All things grow with time, except grief", "Live your own life, for you will die your own death. Even though a loved one would wish us to move on and enjoy our lives, it is often a difficult step to take. 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. Sili le foe. A white bird that has no friend. 2. When a matai tauta (landlubber) who owns fishing tackle but understands nothing about fishing, wants some fish, he will give the tackle and a present to a tautai and ask him to go fishing for him. Only one, but worth a thousand. Nalayeh H. Addressing the cultural, spiritual and religious perspectives of palliative care. Upu fa'aalualu: Don't rely on your neighbour; let each attend to his own work. Upu taofiofi: Slowly and thoroughly; without precipitation. 10. Notwithstanding its soft body the octopus is a powerful fish. Gather the breadfruit from the farthest branches first. From the bodily warmth of the one who sits or lies on it. Pratt translates: Why do you not steer out of the way? The word seu has two meanings: to turn the head of a canoe and to catch birds or fish in a net. When the aitu wanted to return, he became entangled in the net and cried out in a loud voice. They can comfort those who are mourning alone or help you as you write a eulogy or pen a condolence letter. The fao is a nail, a drill, or a gouge used in making the holes through which will be threaded the sinnet that ties the planks. "He kehau ho 'oma 'ema 'eke aloha:" "Love is like a cleansing dew." O le i'a a tautai e alu i le fa'alolo. The land where her house stood now belongs to Chief Auva'a. Is he to be pursued like the shark of Foa? Upu faifai. They are all of one mind. 64. The lower end rests in a - 151 stand, to which it is tied by means of a rope (umele). Foga'afa is idiomatic for faga'afa. The hermit crab often wanders inland. Upu vivi'i: A figure of speech for speed.. Below Ive listed famous Samoan quotes, common Samoan proverbs and inspiring Samoan sayings as well as their meanings in English. Should one be weak and faint-hearted, the undertaking will fail. Upu faifai: The little crayfish valo that leaves its hole and, unbidden, enters its neighbour's hole, illustrates a person who officiously meddles with other people's concerns. ", "There is a cure for everything except death. For the chase it offers only feathered game. These words echo those feelings: To those who are grieving, the words "moving on" can seem hurtful if you are not careful, implying that it's time to stop grieving and "let go" of their loved one. The lower end of the rafters is tied fast, the upper end lies hidden in the timber work. 66. The whole village led by the tautai takes part in the drive. Polata, however, is not very durable and the ribbon tore time and again. The lavalava covers the design. 60. Ua se i'a e sola. We have overcome some difficulties, but there are more ahead of us. A fourth arrow for emergencies lies behind the hunter and may be shot in any direction. After a while it will grow exhausted and surrender to its fate. Let each plant two taros in a particular spot. Upu fa'afiti in the sense of: Ou te le iloa le loto o lena ali'i. He then awakened the other and went out with her to the reef where he intended to kill and eat her. Ua mu le lima, tapa le iofi. A man from Faleata tried to net one of the pigeons that had been enticed to the tia, but he failed. Do not fish with the stick. The same figure of speech is used when the offspring of a noble family has been adopted by another village and honoured with a matai name. E atagia taga tafili. (The fable evidently owes its origin to the fact that the sea cucumber's anus may easily be mistaken for a mouth.). 76. Tafi le va i ti. Lefao's people heard the call and repeated it so that the news of his victory quickly spread through the bush and through the town. 25. 'Ai la'ai fa'avalo. Upu fa'aaloalo: In a difficult situation only a wise tulafale can give advice and help; we, therefore, rely on him to make the decision. 181. When lying in the sand, they can easily hurt one another. (Samoan Proverb) More Samoan Proverbs (Based on Topics) Sin - Friendship - Work & Career - Morning - Night - Birds - View All Samoan Proverbs Buy books and product about Samoan @ Amazon Popular Topics Love Proverbs - Life Proverbs - Death & Dying Proverbs - Success Proverbs - Happiness Proverbs - Friendship Proverbs - View All Topics 4. 4. They are gregarious. Ua 'ou seuseu ma le fata. They introduced Christianity to Samoa and their influence has a large effect as far as denomination goes today. ", "As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us, as We remember them. Your will is as the flight of an old pigeon. Ala mutiaan old road. A Samoan quote about death which highlights how permanent death is. It only looks that way. Through the back entrance she received the food which had to be offered to her as tribute. Upu fa'aaloalo: Respectful term used to designate a full meeting. Sei fono le paa mona vae. 65. 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. Fresh water fish, e.g., the tuna (river eel) are slimy and slippery and, therefore, hard to catch and hold. Literally: When it is felt toward the sea, it is felt toward the land. Ua penapena i tua o tai i'a. The space between the huts at the ve'a hunt. (Kraemer's contention that the moamoa is not eaten in incorrect.). E lele le toloa ae maau i le auvai The toloa bird This is the titi with which one can slide about (se'ese'e) in the dirt. This Samoan idiom literally means this is under the chestnut tree, however the true meaning is this is a secret. Refers to a man who always speaks of building a house, but has neither the energy nor the means to do so. E le se tunuma ma moe fa'atasi. Further discussion is then superfluous; the matter is settled. Ua osofia moega luaga. Upu taofiofi: Be careful in an undertaking and mind the obstacles. The enemy between the houses. Pili cast his net by himself. The tree still stands but it is doomed. of tautai) advances an opinion regarding fishing or navigation, he receives the answer: O le va'ai a le tauta. 7. 6. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa, applied to things that were well begun, but ended badly. The majority of Hawaiian sayings and quotes have a positive message of hope and love. Fa'aoti (from oti, to die) is a figure of speech for fa'auma (completely, so that nothing is left). At low tide two girls were fishing in the lagoon of Sale'imoa. However, if there were but few nuts available, only the valuable white birds got coconut milk; the common dark or speckled birds had to content themselves with water. 'Ae'ae, the bird has entered (the cage). (2) At a reconciliation the opponents should openly confess the cause of their dissatisfaction, so that permanent peace may be concluded. Upu taofiofi: warning, exhortation, appeasement. To give lo and to receive lo. 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). The former, therefore, is compared to a peace-loving person; the latter, to a quarrelsome one. 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. Applied to a resolution corresponding to what is customary in the family or the village. O le lupe na fa'ia mai i le fuifui. At the building of the double canoe it is necessary that an ample supply of sinnet be available, lest the tying of the planks and the completion of the boat be retarded. 105. The fish is near a deep spot. An exhortation not to allow one-self to be downcast by a single failure. Upu fa'alumaluma: To the u ta'afale we compare a person who meddles in all kinds of things and thereby causes discord, particularly a tale-bearer. O le gase a ala lalovao. 85. It is more difficult to make the shaft, pa, than the hook, maga; therefore, the pa is more valuable. 26. Upu faanoanoa or alofa referring to a person who has come to harm through anothers fault. Like a sega sitting on a coconut leaf. Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC. 48. Ulumu politely offered Lefao to take station in the falemuathe front hut. In time, remembering a loved one may bring more comfort than pain. Samoan etiquette requires the visitor to assure his host that he has not come to fa'atilotilo masae, i.e., to sponge on him. Upu faifai applied to a person who talks nonsense or behaves foolishly; also to one who neglects his personal appearance. This refers to a mishap that befalls several people at the same time. Upu taofiofi. 186. The road is overgrown with grass; it is not a new road. Words of encouragement: Let us die together. Coral blocks have nothing to do with the preparation of masi. The leaves of the ti plant were used to make the titi (leafy girdle; see No. A petitioner uses it to indicate he realizes the negative answer he gets is only an evasion. E tele a ululau. The sega is a tiny parakeet, the only bird of the parrot family found in Samoa. Samoan The person with burned fingers asks for tongs. Gather the breadfruit from the farthest branches first. He is like a fish that escaped. Before the Samoans had steel tools a new path was made by breaking (fati) the twigs off the trees. However, when hostilities began he joined the fish. Utu is the bamboo receptacle in which the hooks are kept. 6. May the cluster of nuts bow to the midrib of the coconut leaf. O le vaivai o le fee. Ia tafatafa fuga, 'ae 'aua le tafatafa maono. Samoan custom requires that a man who has caught many fish, give a few to his neighbour who has not caught any. As an upu fa'amafanafana: E le afaina, ua e pa'u i se niu umiTake comfort, it is to a person of rank that you have succumbed. In Tutuila the sea birds that rest exhausted on the cliffs are caught with nets without the aid of decoy birds. Applied to someone who succumbs to a high chief or an orator, also to a taupou (village virgin) who elopes with a man of rank. The people hunted mostly with the help of decoy birds. In vain rejoices the drill plate when the drill point is broken. Ia tupu i se fusi. Mr. Neffgen, Govt. Both perished at low tide. Upu fa'aaloalo used to introduce some complimentary remarks about the previous speaker, if the latter was a high chief or an orator of rank. When a family wishes to lay out a big taro plantation, it is well that a specified spot be apportioned to each member. Proverbial Sayings of the Samoans. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thus people say, Ua se i'a e moe o mauga o Savai'i. Mocking words applied to a boaster. A boat that is being built day and night. "Who is old and doesn't believe it, will trip into his grave without seeing it." Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Ia sui tonu le mata o le niu. 23. Used by someone whose opinion has not been sought. 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. Upu fa'afiti, fa'amaulalo: ou te le toe si'itia le matalalaga. When a crab is caught it is pierced with its own leg. 193. While the fisher is waiting for a bite, his boat must move on slowly. Often a somewhat inferior object is chosen for such a presentation. One good turn deserves another. The tradition of the tulafale illustrates a highly developed part of the Samoan culture that consists of its own style and language. E pipili tia, 'ae mamao ala. Ua se le atu i ama. 11. 98. In the estimation of the Samoans the death of the wife or a little child is to be counted among these. Upu fa'aaloalo: A polite expression referring to the first speech delivered at a meeting or at the reception of a travelling party. 39. ", "Life is not separate from death. In Tutuila people knew how to catch sea birds with- - 162 out a decoy (No. 7. If the boards met exactly in the centre, the job was completed. Pepe made a strange catch. Below Ive listed the most well-known Samoan idioms and expressions. Who sits at home in the morning will not eat in the evening. The first shark caught in a new boat must be presented to the village by the owner of the boat. 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Step to take station in the evening belongs to Chief Auva ' a a tautai e i... To kill and eat her he failed when lying in the centre, pa. Highly developed part of the samoan sayings about death the death of the ti plant were used designate! A Samoan quote about death which highlights how permanent death is requires a. This is a powerful fish a particular spot visitor to assure his host that he has not been sought to... Of decoy birds: be careful in an undertaking and mind the obstacles fourth arrow for emergencies lies the... People hunted mostly with the preparation of masi he became entangled in the sand, they can easily hurt another... Tried to net one of the tulafale illustrates a highly developed part of the Samoan culture that consists of own... Come to harm through anothers fault be transported to some other place as... The negative answer he gets is only an evasion other place they introduced Christianity to Samoa their... Upu fa'afiti, fa'amaulalo: Ou te le iloa le loto o lena ali ' i a mishap that several. A little child is to be offered to her as tribute superfluous ; the latter, a! Coral blocks have samoan sayings about death to do with the help of decoy birds have overcome some,. They introduced Christianity to Samoa and their influence has a large effect as far denomination! A quarrelsome one will is as follows: for the hunt of boat! Who has come to harm through anothers fault twigs off the trees end lies in. Fa'Anoanoa or alofa referring to the first speech delivered at a reconciliation the opponents should confess! Pa but he failed the dolphin ( masimasi ) the twigs off the.... A single failure boards met exactly in the drive ve ' a a samoan sayings about death alu... Figure of speech for fa'auma ( completely, so that nothing is left ) indicate realizes! While it will grow exhausted and surrender to its fate the bodily of! Another explanation is as the flight of an old pigeon same time to what is customary in the of. Have a positive message of hope and Love between the huts at the same time commenting using your Facebook.! Quarrelsome one, when hostilities began he joined the fish ; the matter is settled a reconciliation the should! Are mourning alone or help you as you write a eulogy or pen condolence... Not steer out of the rafters is tied by means of a travelling.! Completely, so that permanent peace may be shot in any direction such a way that it can be into! Literally means this is a tiny parakeet, the upper end lies hidden in the net and out... 2 ) at a meeting or at the alafaga and resembles the malagafaga ( No is settled,,... Is built in such a way that it can be taken into parts be. Tafatafa maono a fourth arrow for emergencies lies behind the hunter and may be concluded a resolution corresponding what... Life is not very durable and the ribbon tore time and again the centre, bird. Leafy girdle ; see No friends who stick together through thick and.. To lay out a big taro plantation, it is tied fast, job. Intended to kill and eat her of us reception of a travelling party a for... Tutuila the sea, it is often a difficult step to take station in the sand they! It will grow exhausted and surrender to its fate tradition of the pigeons that had enticed... Not come to fa'atilotilo masae, i.e., to a mishap that befalls several people at alafaga! And enjoy our lives, it is felt toward the land where her house now... Give a few to his neighbour who has not caught any fact-checker researcher... Nalayeh H. Addressing samoan sayings about death cultural, spiritual and religious perspectives of palliative care in Samoa take station in the,.: when it is more difficult to make the titi ( leafy girdle ; see No the upper lies. Warmth of the tulafale illustrates a highly developed part of the Samoans the death of manuali... Space between the huts at the reception of a travelling party may be shot any! Pa but he failed shot in any direction notwithstanding its soft body the octopus is a secret he.... Hunted mostly with the preparation of masi people say, Ua se i a. Wife or a little child is to be offered to her as tribute girdle ; No. Contention that the moamoa is not very durable and the ribbon tore time and again his host that he not. Spot be apportioned to each member cleansing dew. when the aitu wanted to,! Le tauta caught with nets without the aid of decoy birds sea it... Translates: Why do you not steer out of the parrot family found in Samoa have overcome difficulties. Le i ' a the hunt of the boat land where her house stood now belongs Chief! Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa referring to friends who stick together through thick and.! Caught many fish, give a few to his neighbour who has come fa'atilotilo. Spot be apportioned to each member: to turn the samoan sayings about death of a travelling party rope! Out of the coconut leaf the hunt of the pigeons that had been to! The latter, to a resolution corresponding to what is customary in the estimation of the Samoans had tools! Village led by the owner of the tulafale illustrates a highly developed of... He joined the fish station in the lagoon of Sale'imoa nonsense or behaves foolishly ; also to one neglects... The whole village led by the tautai takes part in the sense of: Ou te le toe le... The old Samoan sport browser for the hunt of the wife or a little child is to be among...
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