Explore. Below Ive listed the most well-known Samoan idioms and expressions. O le sapatu moe 'ese. Death, in Samoan tradition, is considered Gods Will. It has traditionally been believed that Samoans should die at home. The shade of the high trees in the forest will not allow the weeds to come up and the path is always visible. Viewing tears as cleansing, and receiving the sympathy of others, can be healing during times like this. Ua nunu le to'au. Upu faifai referring to lack of energy and perseverance. Should anyone, in the excitement of the work or to show off, give orders to his neighbours, no one will heed him, for only the tautai may give orders. It is also used jestingly at the preparation of food or kava, when the portion set aside is likely to prove insufficient and the whole available supply had better be used. O lenei lava le ufiufi manu gase. The busybody's pretended wisdom, therefore, will be of no avail. ), 143. Used of an asembly whose members have come from different villages and who, later on, will disperse again. The Tuifiti (King of Fiji) had two wives, one a Fijian, the other a Samoan. The bundles of sugarcane leaves fetched by the women from the plantation for the purpose of thatching the houses are large and bulky but light in weight. ", "There is a cure for everything except death. Samoa, arise and raise your flag, your crown!Look at those stars that are waving on it:This is the symbol of Jesus, who died on it for Samoa.Oh, Samoa, hold fast your power forever.Do not be afraid; God is our foundation, our freedom.Samoa, arise: your flag is waving, your crown! The tying is done on the evening before the fishing expedition. O le sapatu motu pa. E atagia taga tafili. Used when refering to a small but influential village or family. The pigeon that was detached from the rest of the flock. He is like an arrow that lies about in the house. 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. Let each do his share of the work. Ua pafuga le a pei o le faiva o seu gogo. The all use a one gauge mesh. The Samoans value the mats so much that the most important ones bear honorable names. More Samoan Proverbs: You shake in vain the branch that bears no fruit. 116. According to the Samoans the bird is so proud of its long tail that, being approached from the front, it sits immediately and allows itself to be caught, for fear of damaging its feathers by turning round. To catch the first pigeon of the day is considered a special achievement. 58. Applied to the loss a family or a village suffers by the death of a matai or an influential chief. 178. If used in the other sense, it refers to pigeon hunting. 196. - 152 The front entrance was used by those who came with a request. Pepe tried to catch it. Upu taofiofi: Soia le si'itia le matalalaga. However, it presupposes that only one person is engaged in an undertaking, or, if there is more than one, none of them meets with success. When a crab is caught it is pierced with its own leg. Words to encourage a person to strive after his goal, and not allow himself to be deterred by any consideration or obstacle. A fai 'ea a'u mou titi se'ese'e? Go and look in the fishermen's houses. O le pa ua sala i le maga. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa. A pair of fish-hooks tied together is called talaga. The true meaning is that you should do the most difficult task first. The jumping about of a newly caught bird. 3, 11, 12). Rebuke for relatives, friends and neighbours who are quarrelsome and trying to harm one another. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases. The sponging of the Matamea crab. 176. Upu alofa: Loving words referring to friends who stick together through thick and thin. 46. Ann of Palliat Med. The owner of a certain plantation had his crop stolen time and again. Someone who comes to grief as a result of their own actions O le ia itiiti le igaga. Tafi le va i ti. Failure to do this is particularly troublesome when the little fishes appear, because they will be chased by the big ones and, at the same time, they serve as free bait for the fishermen. A little tifitifi, that was still alive, sprang up and fell into a deep hole and Lilomaiava said, Perhaps you want that fish too? Yes, replied Leao and Lilomaiava said, Well, then the post must be taken down.. Like the swift that never rests. Further discussion is then superfluous; the matter is settled. Va i fale ve'a. Another explanation is as follows: Matala'oa was a crippled girl in Falealili. The saying is used when some person meets with some unexpected fortune while his thoughts and actions were directed to something else. There isn't a right or wrong way to grieveonly the way that is right for you. Upu fa'aalualu: General invitation to assist in the reconciliation of quarrelling parties. 43. 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. Seu foga'afa. The wild manutagi, hearing the call of the decoy bird, approaches gradually by hopping from tree to tree, before it enters the cage. Let each plant two taros in a particular spot. Pratt translates: Better have a small plantation of your own, than be joined with another. Once upon a time a mago and a pa'itele had a fight. The fish-hook is incorrectly bound. Hence the fish appear first at an insignificant little village while the politically important towns have to wait. As this is closed on all sides, his companions know nothing about it. Literally: When it is felt toward the sea, it is felt toward the land. 126. (LogOut/ Like an uprooted puou. (Compare Nos. 10. He then awakened the other and went out with her to the reef where he intended to kill and eat her. To rejoice like a young bird on the return of its parent with food. Upu faifai: You have not shown by your deeds that you wish me well. O le poto a lauloa. Like the twisting of a cord. When gathering breadfruit with the lou, it may happen that branches not bearing any fruit are knocked about and injured. "There is no one who can jump so high as to escape death." May the coconut tree bear a rich harvest. The 'apoa have spines on the back and breast. Thus, two families or two villages may live in close proximity and yet be far removed one from the other through lack of kinship. Overcoming Fear of Death. He has two mouths like the sea cucumber. The church funeral services are mostly western style with emphasis on music and prayer. Upu faifai or Fa'aulaula: Your designs are too apparent and will fail. (Samoan Proverb) The grasshopper flies about, but the kingfisher watches him. 80. A Samoan proverb meaning some people will compliment what you have because they want it. 1. 5. 92. Lua mata is a figure of speech for a small taro patch; to 'ese is elliptical for toto i se mea 'ese. O le malu i fale'ulu. To bait the manuali'i, a bunch of bananas was used (No. Ia lua mata to 'ese. The evil a man does, lives after him. 135. He is like the plate of the drill. 177. ", "The ugliest life is better than the nicest death. The Samoans maintain that if the parents were left undisturbed, they would remain with their young and allow themselves to starve to death. O le faila tu i le ama a'u nei, i.e., don't mind me; I am standing outside the canoe. Applications: (1) The news is not true, but it has spread too far to be retracted. 61. If the maga breaks or is bitten off by a fish, the loss can easily be repaired. 115. The offering was called fa'asao a manu vao. Ua sili mea le seuga. O le gase a ala lalovao. Besides, it refers to a faint-hearted person who is ready to give up as soon as he meets with a difficulty. 192. One night two women planned to go fishing with torches on the reef. Se'i toto le ta'amu te'evao. The mountains of Savai'i are like a sleeping fish. Apia, Samoa, 1916. Ua se aga e tasi. 55. Pinterest. 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. 29. The fact is that, now and then, fatal poisonings occur after the natives have partaken of pelupelu that were caught with an unavau. 3. The proverb advised that People aren't good unless others are made better by them. Fa'amanu po'ia i le ofaga. Ala mutiaan old road. Choose your words wisely, allowing the person to grieve in their own time. The saying is applied to a change of behaviour, opinion, etc. The softness of the octopus. Hence, house building and boat building are the two most respected trades. Upu fa'anoanoa. Image: Facebook Introduction: The two principal objects at the use of the Samoan are his house and his boat. Often a somewhat inferior object is chosen for such a presentation. Delight in the hunter's hut. A Samoan quote about death which highlights how permanent death is. The paipai is a small crab that moves about slowly and does not resist capture. The saying is used by a speaker as an apology for having, in the heat of the discussion, offended one of his listeners or for having unintentionally omitted one of the set forms of speech required by Samoan etiquette. 73. In the Samoan villages the papalagi house built of weather boards - 172 is the exception, whilst in Tonga it has become the rule. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa or faifai referring to a person who has come to harm through his own fault or that of a relative or friend. It is an upu vivi'i, commending a person for his retentive memory. By manu vale is meant any bird other than a pigeon. 125. This expression is one of the best Samoan quotes about family. Mr. T. Smith, Private Secretary to Logan. To give lo and to receive lo. Large like a bundle of sugarcane leaves. To come like a fish in the night. However, the orators use them so frequently and they shed so much light on the past history and the present opinions of the people, that their importance cannot be overrated. Whats with the custom of washing the body every 6 months from the grave. The city is located on the central north coast of Upolu, Samoas second largest island. It is then difficult to find the runner that has the edible root. You shake in vain the branch that bears no fruit. These Samoan proverbs are taken from the first Samoan dictionary, A grammar and dictionary of the Samoan language, with English and Samoan vocabulary, first published in 1862. I shouldn't say fat, that might offend him, but he's Samoan and claims to have seen ghosts. When it tries to climb over rocks and tree trunks, it frequently tumbles down. 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 Take down the huts and put everything away. Upu fa'afiti, fa'amaulalo: ou te le toe si'itia le matalalaga. 170. The surprised Ulumu could not but recognize Lefao's dexterity. Ua tu'u i tai le va'a tele. Like a ti plantation that never dies. Originally this was used metaphorically for a beautiful calm day when the sea and the mountains are perfectly visible. (Samoan Proverb) More Samoan Proverbs (Based on Topics) Love Proverbs - Life Proverbs - Death & Dying Proverbs - Success Proverbs - Happiness Proverbs - Friendship Proverbs - View All Topics.
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