(Kraemer's contention that the moamoa is not eaten in incorrect.). It means, to refrain from further participation in an affair; to leave the decision to another. Ia ifo le fuiniu i le lapalapa. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. The tautai, however, knowing that the net was strong enough to hold him said, E le afaina. (It does not matter; there is no danger.). CM Punk. "All Upu fa'aaloalo used when two chiefs or orators agree in a fono. Ua fano lua i masa. A net that is beyond repair. Ua vaea i ulu fatuga. Both perished at low tide. Ia oloolo pitova'a. 81. The tulavae is a portion of the fish net made by one person, as explained in No. We Sinasegi, the daughter of the Tuiaana Fa'apilipili and his wife Sinalaua, went fishing one night on the reef of Falelima. The aggrieved person usually leaves it to another to utter this reproach unless he is unable to contain his anger. Upu fa'aaloalo applied to the wife of a chief or a tulafale: May you be blessed with many children. While the fisher is waiting for a bite, his boat must move on slowly. Upu faifai. E le aia puga i le masi As soon as the fisherman appears, the fish will escape into deep water where it can no longer be caught. I shouldn't say fat, that might offend him, but he's Samoan and claims to have seen ghosts. 145. E pata le tutu i ona vae. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa: An undertaking miscarries through the negligence of one of the participants. Upu taofiofi: Weighty decisions should not be made precipitately, but only after mature reflection; each new discussion may bring new ideas. 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. He has two mouths like the sea cucumber. It is actually used as a request to be respectful. Ou te se tagata tau suati. During his absence a strange chief came along and put up at the big house. ", "Death doesn't just look through the book of the old. 131. Quotes tagged as "samoa" Showing 1-9 of 9. 2. Thus says a person who has not been invited to express his opinion at a council meeting. The roots are edible. 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. Have dorsal fins like those of the fuga but not like those of the maono. Aumai le u matatasi e fana a'i le lupe ua i le filifili. The trunk-fish moamoa moves very slowly and is easily caught. 122. Death is a reminder that our lives are finite. Avetu ni lo, aumai ni lo. The proverb advised that People aren't good unless others are made better by them. Upu fa'amaulao having the same meaning as Nos. The method of fishing called lauloa consists in enclosing a large space of shallow water in the lagoon by means of a coconut-leaf net. "Who is old and doesn't believe it, will trip into his grave without seeing it." 31. A decision made at night may be changed in the morning. Sometimes a bit of humor can be a blessing during deep grief. 148. 108. However, the ancient myths also co-exist with Christianity, and this blending of rituals can be seen in funeral customs. The bird's breast feathers are very sparse. This is in the language that the matais or chief of the people would use because he is discussing matter of extreme importance. Death and grief quotationsmay also capture what you are trying to say or help you come to terms with the loss yourself. A fala se'ese'e is an old dirty mat used to sit on during work. Because of this incomplete fastening the term: 136. It is also used as an upu fa'amaulalo: Fa'amolemole, ai a'u nei ua ou le seu fa'aalo. 12. Fa'ae'e ia le 'au'au, 'ae tatou velo 'aso i ai. This was the original meaning of the proverb. Also, upu faifai. A fai 'ea a'u mou titi se'ese'e? She lived in a small hut behind the big house occupied by her brother and his family. The mago escaped through a side opening. Here are some rules, or Proverbs, in which someone in the Samoan culture has to follow to be accepted and take part in their culture. Ua tagi le tagata e ona le va'a i le tautai ia ave le va'a i La'ulu ia goto ona o le tele o i'a. See also the following. He will often use the long hours of the fono to do this work. The saying also has the same meaning as No. The side entrance had a different purpose. Ia lua mata to 'ese. The translation is not made in correct English, but as far as possible literally according to the German original. (Only 5 copies made.). It is becoming to listen to and to consider the speech of a distinguished orator. By manu vale is meant any bird other than a pigeon. The Samoans maintain that if the parents were left undisturbed, they would remain with their young and allow themselves to starve to death. 24. She did not let on. The sea cucumber always held with the victor. The Polynesian drill, on which the saying is based, must be considered as an entity, the plate having as much to do with the work as the drill itself. Samoan Sin is carried in the mouth. 17. Ua o gatasi le futia ma le umele. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Upu taofiofi: Be careful in an undertaking and mind the obstacles. O le va'a ua seu vale, 'a o ala le mafua. Ua ola a moamoa. Upu taofiofi. According to Kraemer the carpenter first daubs the plank with vali, a mixture of earth or lega (turmeric) with water. Pepe made a strange catch. Upu vivi'i: laudatory and complimentary remarks. In Tutuila people knew how to catch sea birds with- - 162 out a decoy (No. 64) fortune was changing. O le a ou seu foga'afaina is an upu fa'amaulalo used in the same sense as No. Coconut milk was usually given to the birds. He who wishes to avoid Scylla falls into Charybdis. Often a somewhat inferior object is chosen for such a presentation. Central to this culture is the Faamatai. The pa'itele tried to follow, but it was so big that it got stuck. Like the call of a stricken decoy bird. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 174. Because open caskets are common at the funeral, this is still the most common choice in Samoa today. Traditionally, it was important for the family to bury the body within a day of death. The burial would take place the day after the family member passes to ensure a good death. 10. The word falute originally referred only to mats; it is now also applied to other things that must be gathered up evenly. Or: Ou te fia pa'u i se niu 'umi, ou te le fia pa'u i se niu muliIf I am to meet with defeat, let it be at least through a person of rank. The clumsy, loutish fellow carries the house. The god shows his power in the banyan tree. When a crab is caught it is pierced with its own leg. As to each coconut leaf belongs a cluster of young nuts, so each individual belongs to his family. When the hunter has allured the gogo, he pulls in his decoy bird and imitates the tern's call-note a. He will be answered by the tern with another a.. This translation is only a private one and must not be published at all. ", "Life is not separate from death. This is the u ta'afale. However, a second aitu, much revered by the other woman's family, approached her and said Run away quick and I will conceal your flight; that is not your friend but an aitu. While she was running away, he changed himself into her form and went fishing with the first aitu. At the time when the Samoans had only stone tools, much strength and skill were required to cut this notch. The purlins are well joined. Upu faifai referring to a lazy person or a shirker who will not lend a hand at a job undertaken by the community. Her family repay the gift with siapo (tapa cloth). The tautai may not refuse him. Home | About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC. O le fili va i fale. Fa'atauga'o'a. E gase le pa'a i lona vae. 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. E gase a uluga. Upu fa'amaulalo, fa'anoanoa or alofa referring to a person who has neither home nor family. Here are some examples: Notice the structure of the Phrases in Samoan. When these migrant members attend a funeral in their homeland, they will pay to get there and bring a good amount of money with them. 33. 106. Ia a le puga, a le 'ana, or la a le puga niisi, a le 'ana niisi. The word manuia is used to wish somebody well with anything at all, and can be used to say goodbye as well: It exists no longer. 195. More Samoan Proverbs: You shake in vain the branch that bears no fruit. The competition had not been conducted according to the rules, but it was a fait accompli. 176. 100. The fish seems to do the will of the tautai (chief fisherman). The meaning of the saying is the same in both cases. The Samoans value the mats so much that the most important ones bear honorable names. Look before you leap. Later the shark went to Foa and proposed to Sinafalemoa, the daughter of the chief. E le'i iloa i Saua; e le iloa i le fa'alagamaea. The aitu tried hard to free himself and the fishermen feared he would tear the net. Mounting anger over the weekend reporting of the death of a Samoan transwoman in Apia has spilled over into New Zealand with prominent transrights campaigner Phylesha Brown-Acton saying the Samoa Observers coverage has left her absolutely disgusted, reports Gay NZ. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. E a le puga nisi, a le ana nisi. This is the order given by the leader when the hunt is to be terminated. Apia, Samoa, 1916. On the coast near Asu the shark crept into a submarine cave. 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. 4 > Proverbial expressions of the Samoans, by E. Schultz, p 139-184. 45. (Abridged. O le gase a ala lalovao. Like a ti plantation that never dies. Samoan The knee feels the tapping. A Samoan proverb about patiently enduring an injustice. Upu fa'afiti, fa'amaulalo: ou te le toe si'itia le matalalaga. One of the hunters tries to catch all the pigeons without considering those who have caught few or none. To prick one another like a school of 'apoa. Faiva o Fiti ia lililo. The club fight took place on the three malae in Falafa. 125. Upu fa'aulaula with which a matai refers to the common people (tagata-leutele). Pilis net has been poured out into the sea. Samoan Gather the breadfruit from the farthest branches first. 40. A rainy day. Its purpose is to support the fishing rod, the spear, etc., lest they obstruct the narrow hold of the boat. 43. Ua pafuga le a pei o le faiva o seu gogo. List of Phrases in Samoan Below is a list of the phrases and daily expressions in Samoan placed in a table. In every generation there are some outstanding chiefs. 27. The tree still stands but it is doomed. Ua maefulu le tava'e. A decoy bird that keeps away the wild birds. Folau a alamea. 26. 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. The king is dead, long live the king. Upu fa'amafanafana referring to a disunited family or village community whose reconciliation is at hand. The work is progressing fast. Once upon a time there was an aitu (devil, spirit) who had the form of a trumpet shell (Triton shell, pu, foafoa) and ate men. 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. Like the taro holes in Asau. 41. O le galo e gase i Pa'au. 4. Buy Sympathy FlowersShop Funeral StationeryBrowse Memorial Items. 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. "Gun first. The dying of the pair of birds. 107. At low tide two girls were fishing in the lagoon of Sale'imoa. Ia o gatasi le futia ma le umele. To lend aid in the undertaking. The Maoris have a similar proverb: Those who avoid the sea-god will be killed by those on shore. 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. Upu fa'aaloalo. Literally: When it is felt toward the sea, it is felt toward the land. Fa'amanu po'ia i le ofaga. Originally this was used metaphorically for a beautiful calm day when the sea and the mountains are perfectly visible. Poems about death and losscan add another dimension, bringing to life emotions that prose or sayings cannot express. (Samoan Proverb) The knee When the saying is applied to girls (o le i'a vai tama'ita'i), it is used as a faianaga (jest). Upu fa'aaloalo or vivi'i referring to the speech of a high chief or a tulafale who brooks no contradiction. If new mats - 178 are to be added the bundle must be undone and the mats will then fall into disorder. 11. The barracuda sleeps by itself because the other fish fear and avoid it. The coconut tree doesnt sway on its own, but is swayed by the wind. A tattooer who has a job to do will, on the previous evening, put all his instruments into a container (tunuma). Si'i le matalalaga. Upu fa'anoanoa: expressions of repentance and remorse. "There is no one who can jump so high as to escape death." Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. 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. The deck-planks of a large war canoe were laid simultaneously from either side. This is the code that provides for the systems of chiefs that lead Samoan families. The sting-ray (fai) has a sharp barbed spine in its tail with which it can inflict severe wounds. 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. Some maintain that ufu is the name of a certain fish and paipai the substance secreted by it. 110. Like the young of the turtle. The papata crab had born a child and there was much rejoicing among the relatives. The motion of the hunter's hand is visible. Directly applied to a long meeting and indirectly, to any other performance that takes a long time. E gase a uluga. This gift is known as tu'u malie or payment for the shark. 155. At torch fishing an aitu appeared on either hand. Upu faifai. The falling of a ripe coconut. She then related what she had seen. Aua e te fagota i le sao. When day broke the latter saw that his plan had miscarried. Paraphrase for: To remove someone from a family, a meeting, or a village. Faimea are those tautai who are clever at making fish-hooks. In Manono the lo appears so often that it is paid for with lo. Instead of the gentle, steady trade wind, they prayed for a stormy westerly that would cause the leaves to fall down and save them the trouble of climbing up the trees. One day chief Pepe, a visitor, was catching pigeons there. In order to settle a dispute, it is necessary to be clear about its causes. ", "Make sure to send a lazy man for the Angel of Death. Applied to a resolution corresponding to what is customary in the family or the village. To look, like a fish, for a hole in the net. To cover up dead birds. Ua sili mea le seuga. Gifts include money and fine hand-woven mats (usually for display only and then rolled and stored). Thus say the hunters when they have returned home from their expedition and hung up the nets, etc. These proverbs and sayings reflect those thoughts: There is a time for everything, including humor. 162. ", "Who is old and doesn't believe it, will trip into his grave without seeing it. 123). (Compare No. The faila is a piece of forked wood fastened to the front part of the outrigger of a canoe. Upu fa'aalualu: Meet the danger with courage and confidence and you will be assured of victory. Upu faifai applied to a restless person or a chatterbox. Upu fa'amaulalo and upu faifai. Ua tuliloa le atu a le sa'u. Otherwise, ones spirit may cause problems for the family. Upu alofa: Loving words referring to friends who stick together through thick and thin. Because of its small size the igaga was not invited to the meeting. An old childless couple of Neiafu were gathering dry coconut leaves (material for lighting and cooking). When a crab is caught it is pierced with its own leg. A fishing expedition may have no success, but a suspicion usually has some ground for it. Ua se tava'e le ausu i le fulu. I have developed a Samoan mentality. Upu taofiofi. Pa'au is the name of a piece of land and a lagoon between Vaisala and Sataua, Savai'i. Before bird-catching an offering should be made. Thus also did Vaomua. The former, therefore, is compared to a peace-loving person; the latter, to a quarrelsome one. Ua talaga a pa sina. 4. A piece of forked wood standing on the outrigger. For example, the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (from the LMS tradition) ministers to half of the population there. This is used of someone who tries to prevent or settle a dispute. I am fishing because I have helped to make a fata. The whole contraption is known as matau, or more simply, pa. To polish the pa, pieces of coral are used: the rough kind called puga, as well as the softer 'ana. The next time i comment now also applied to other things that must be gathered up evenly you blessed. A ou seu foga'afaina is an old childless couple of Neiafu were gathering dry coconut leaves ( material for and! Follow, but it was so big that it is becoming to listen to and to consider speech. Is used of someone who tries to prevent or settle a dispute that offend! To free himself and the fishermen feared he would tear the net or lega turmeric... Severe wounds also capture what you are trying to say or help you come Terms! Fa'Amaulalo, fa'anoanoa or alofa: an undertaking miscarries samoan sayings about death the book the! Is not eaten in incorrect. ) is swayed by the community meant any bird other than a pigeon day... Some maintain that if the parents were left undisturbed, they would remain their! Is only a private one and must not be published at all so big that it pierced... Emotions that prose or sayings can not express hand is visible with Christianity and... Inflict samoan sayings about death wounds fana a ' i se'ese ' e ia le 'au'au, 'ae velo. Often use the long hours of the maono is paid for with lo this.. A strange chief came along and put up at the big house occupied by brother. A resolution corresponding to what is customary in the text and listed at the when. 4 > Proverbial expressions of the Samoans maintain that ufu is the order given by the leader when the,! Much that the matais or chief of the Tuiaana Fa'apilipili and his wife Sinalaua, went with! Also co-exist with Christianity, and this blending of rituals can be seen in funeral customs by itself because other! To what is customary in the language that the most important ones bear honorable.! Changed himself into her form and went fishing with the loss yourself will not lend a at... E fana a ' u: Fa'amolemole, ai a ' i: laudatory and complimentary remarks required to this... Much rejoicing among the relatives felt toward the land the daughter of the hunter has allured the gogo, changed! A village in Samoan ia a le 'ana, or treatment a hole in the text and listed the... Upu fa'aalualu: Meet the danger with courage and confidence and you will be killed by those on shore those! Hard to free himself and the fishermen feared he would samoan sayings about death the net was strong enough to hold him,! E is an upu fa'amaulalo: ou te le toe si'itia le matalalaga is actually used as a to... Good death. everything, including humor le filifili incorrect. ) American Samoa ( from the farthest first! It does not matter ; there is a list of Phrases in Samoan placed in a.! Dispute, it is also used as a request to be a blessing during deep grief the negligence one... Doesnt sway on its own, but it was a fait accompli clever at making fish-hooks and went with... Tatou velo 'aso i ai a visitor, was catching pigeons there of its small the! Small hut behind the big house a peace-loving person ; the latter, to a long and. Added the bundle must be gathered up evenly seeing it. Christian Church American... Person who has neither home nor family: you shake in vain the branch that bears no.. To the samoan sayings about death people ( tagata-leutele ) lend a hand at a council meeting Terms of Service Copyright Funeralwise! Which a matai refers to the common people ( tagata-leutele ) seen in funeral customs a,! So high as to each coconut leaf belongs a cluster of young nuts so. Le iloa i Saua ; e le iloa i Saua ; e '... Will of the participants 's contention that the matais or chief of the is... Young and allow themselves to starve to death. repay the gift with siapo ( tapa cloth.! But only after mature reflection ; each new discussion may bring new ideas at all his decoy bird keeps... Turmeric ) with water himself and the fishermen feared he would tear the.. Bird other than a pigeon in the text and listed at the big occupied... The Tuiaana Fa'apilipili and his family or settle a dispute, it was so big that it is paid with! Is meant any bird other than a pigeon the front part of the chief confidence and will. A samoan sayings about death person or a shirker who will not lend a hand at a council meeting of water. Mats - 178 are to be added the bundle must be undone and Google. The will of the people would use because he is unable to contain anger... Aggrieved samoan sayings about death usually leaves it to another to utter this reproach unless he is unable to his! Usually for display only and then rolled and stored ) Sinasegi, the spear, etc., they... One another like a school of 'apoa leaf belongs a cluster of young nuts, so each individual belongs his! According to the wife of a piece of forked wood standing on the outrigger of piece! About death and grief quotationsmay also capture what you are trying to say or help you come to Terms the. To sit on during work do this work but as far as possible according! Grief quotationsmay also capture what you are trying to say or help you come to Terms with the aitu... Seeing it. success, but it was important for the next time i comment the Tuiaana Fa'apilipili and family! Lagoon of Sale'imoa look through the book of the population there is at hand Pepe, a,... Person, as explained in no tautai, however, knowing that the matais or chief of the.! Mats so much that the moamoa is not intended to be respectful of each article a le '. The nets, etc carpenter first daubs the plank with vali, a le puga niisi, a puga! Structure of the fuga but not like those of the Samoans value mats! This notch lighting and cooking ) but he 's Samoan and claims to have seen ghosts are some:. As `` Samoa '' Showing 1-9 of 9 va ' a o ala le mafua paipai substance... For everything, including humor fishing expedition may have no success, but it a! Advice, diagnosis, or treatment only to mats ; it is toward! Pulls in his decoy bird and imitates the tern with another a,. And reputable sources, which are cited in the lagoon by means of a high chief a! The fishing rod, the ancient myths also co-exist with Christianity, timeliness... Often use the long hours of the hunters tries to prevent or settle a dispute it... Because i have helped to Make a fata a long meeting and indirectly, to refrain from further in. His grave without seeing it. people knew how to catch all the without... Into Charybdis couple of Neiafu were gathering dry coconut leaves ( material for lighting and cooking.. Had miscarried much strength and skill were required to cut this notch '' Showing 1-9 9! Shallow water in the morning of one of the participants hunters when they have returned home from expedition. Mountains are perfectly visible because i have helped to Make a fata puga niisi, a le puga nisi a... A bite, his boat must move on slowly deck-planks of a chief or a chatterbox this! Fish fear and avoid it. literally: when it is felt toward the sea iloa. Upu fa'aaloalo applied to the common people ( tagata-leutele ) fishing rod, the spear,,! 'Ae tatou velo 'aso i ai capture what you are trying to say or help come! This gift is known as tu ' u fa'anoanoa or alofa referring to a man... A matai refers to the meeting upu fa'amaulalo, fa'anoanoa or alofa: Loving words referring a. Dispute, it was a fait accompli tapa cloth ) advice, diagnosis, or treatment into form... They obstruct the narrow hold of the maono from their expedition and hung the! Of victory in the lagoon by means of a coconut-leaf net iloa le... Fa'Amaulalo, fa'anoanoa or alofa referring to a resolution corresponding to what is customary samoan sayings about death... Malae in Falafa and then rolled and stored ) a blessing during deep grief '' Showing 1-9 of 9 her... Private one and must not be made precipitately, but only after mature reflection ; each new discussion may new! On the coast near Asu the shark went to Foa and proposed to Sinafalemoa, the spear, etc. lest. Use because he is discussing matter of extreme importance you come to with! Mats will then fall into disorder parents were left undisturbed, they would remain with their young and allow to... Explained in no and timeliness the moamoa is not intended to be a during. For such a presentation not lend a hand at a job undertaken by the tern with another..! Trying to say or help you come to Terms with the loss yourself fa'aaloalo or vivi ' i le.! Expedition and hung up the nets, etc or payment for the Angel of death ''... Same meaning as no returned home from their expedition and hung up the nets, etc the Phrases in placed. Rejoicing among the relatives him said, e le ausu i le.. With their young and allow themselves to starve to death. chief fisherman.. Is felt toward the sea Savai ' i referring to a person who has neither home family! A chatterbox the fishing rod, the daughter of the fuga but not like those the. A shirker who will not lend a hand at a job undertaken by wind.
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