E fa'apupuati le gase. When the wooing has presented particular difficulties, as through the lack of connections between the families of the bride and the bridegroom, then the young wife and her child are referred to as. 138. The glare of her torch unexpectedly attracted a large number of flying fish that fell into the canoe although it was not flying fish she wanted but a different kind. In every generation there are some outstanding chiefs. Ua o gatasi le futia ma le umele. When the saying is applied to girls (o le i'a vai tama'ita'i), it is used as a faianaga (jest). Polata, however, is not very durable and the ribbon tore time and again. To tie together two pieces of fau. This phrase is used to describe someone whos will is stronger than their body. 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. May the pearl shell fish-hook never be lost before it has been shown to others. 88. These are used often in day to day life. A decision made at night may be changed in the morning. Only the matamea crab presented herself without a gift. Se'i muamua se fa'asao a manu vao. Samoan The careless fish will be eaten by the shark. O le faila tu i le ama. 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. In Tutuila people knew how to catch sea birds with- - 162 out a decoy (No. To bait the manuali'i, a bunch of bananas was used (No. Check out these Samoan quotes and proverbs (also known as alagaupu) below to gain some insight into Samoan beliefs and ways of thinking. 15. Plant the coconut tree on the boundary. The Samoans value the mats so much that the most important ones bear honorable names. 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. At the time when the Samoans had only stone tools, much strength and skill were required to cut this notch. 174. He who wishes to avoid Scylla falls into Charybdis. Gather the breadfruit from the farthest branches first. One night, under the direction of an experienced fisherman (tautai), they stretched a net (lologamata) across the reef passage. He will say to the tautai: Fa'amolomole, o lo'u va'a o le va'a si'i vale, au ou sau lava i lo'u fia fagota, i.e., I beg your pardon; I have launched my canoe without a good excuse; I have come to help you. May it end with threats and not come to blows. Bring the one-pronged arrow to shoot the pigeon in the thicket. First friends, then broken heads. 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. 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. 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.). Troy Polamalu. Let each one smooth his part of the boat. O le pa ua sala i le maga. Upu faifai applied to a person who talks nonsense or behaves foolishly; also to one who neglects his personal appearance. 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. The pigeons are scattered in the bush to look for food, to mate, etc. Since the spread of Christianity the saying refers to the repose of the soul after death. Central to this culture is the Faamatai. Before everything else a house. 140. 146. Ua se le atu i ama. Let each do his share of the work. The stalks of the wild yam are all jumbled. Then they will gather into a flock to travel to another part of the forest whence they will scatter once more. The lower end rests in a - 151 stand, to which it is tied by means of a rope (umele). - 152 The front entrance was used by those who came with a request. Applied to everything that corresponds with old usages and customs; used also of a widower who marries a relative of his late wife. The work, called milota'i, is usually done by the women. Don't throw away a favourable opportunity. Ua se temeteme. Not a pigeon is cooing. Mocking words referring to loveless, undutiful parents. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Ua taulua i le tuga. 91. 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. 186. Volume 58 1949 > Volume 58, No. Ua sanisani fa'amanuao. 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. Proverbial Expressions of the Samoans 177 Ua logo sese(ese fa'amea vilivili. To drill holes that do not meet. A council meeting in which no decision is reached. 158. E le se tunuma ma moe fa'atasi. It is not like a The sail is, therefore, somewhat lowered until it hangs in an inclined position (sipa). A few examples include: " Ku'ia Kahele aka na'au ha'aha'a :" "A humble person walks carefully so as not to hurt others." Upu fa'aaloalo: Explain the general aim of the meeting, then we shall give our opinion. A Samoan proverb about resolving conflict. 31. These proverbs and sayings reflect those thoughts: There is a time for everything, including humor. 77. 92. Grief is painful, and at times you may feel as if your heart is literally breaking in two. 111. In Aleipata, too, Pili showed the people how to fish with nets, but the expedition was unsuccessful. A certain crab called tupa that lives in salt-water swamps, is caught by digging it out of the hole in which it makes its home. A motto characterizing the Samoan who is suspicious himself and often invites suspicion. Ua 'ou seuseu ma le fata. E gase a uluga. The following saying is based on the same story. Upu fa'afiti in the sense of: Ou te le iloa le loto o lena ali'i. Ua vela lana umu i lo tatou nu'u. Samoa, arise and raise your flag, your crown! To keep up friendly relations with one's neighbour. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. E sola le fai, 'ae tu'u le foto. Rebuke for relatives, friends and neighbours who are quarrelsome and trying to harm one another. 103. Upu fa'amafanafana. The lou is a long pole with a crook at the end, used in gathering breadfruit. Someone who comes to grief as a result of their own actions O le ia itiiti le igaga. Samoan The knee feels the tapping. A person who has supplied a tulavae for the fata is entitled to take part in the fishing and to share in the catch. To rejoice like a young bird on the return of its parent with food. Blessed is the moon; it goes but it comes back again. 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. 177. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa: An undertaking miscarries through the negligence of one of the participants. "We need a shower," Raphael said. The Samoan fale is built in such a way that it can be taken into parts to be transported to some other place. 25. This high development traces back to the days before the arrival of the missionaries,when all communication was transmitted orally. 37. When the wild yam is mature, the stalks wither and break into pieces. 127. The canoe used for bonito fishing (va'aalo) is small. However, the fish were not bonitos but aitu (devils, spirits) in the form of big sea eels. If a visitor comes to the faimea to get a fish-hook, the latter should empty the receptacle completely and not niggardly hide a hook. Here are some humorous words that may help: Knowing when not to speak following a death is as important as knowing when to speak. Upu faifai referring to a person who brags in a difficult situation when he knows that help is near. 40. The big net has been spread out in the sea. According to Pratt the word means a nimble warrior. I have never heard it used in this sense. Folau a alamea. 8. Upu alofa: A pious wish addressed by the head of a family to a favourite child. (2) In the war between the birds and the fishes, a black tern (gogo uli) was - 171 killed and eaten by a fuga fish. If the saying is to refer to incestuous brothers and sisters, it may be used only as an obscene jest, but never in the presence of relatives. Below Ive listed famous Samoan quotes, common Samoan proverbs and inspiring Samoan sayings as well as their meanings in English. Patupatu amo fale. 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. It came not when the yam plant withered; it came not when it sprouted again; it came when the plant was once more in leaf. Explore. 17. Put the gouge aside. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Same meaning as No. Samoan Gather the breadfruit from the farthest branches first. Like an uprooted puou. The barracuda that tears off the hook. 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. Never judge things of. At torch fishing an aitu appeared on either hand. Divided on top of the fatuga. 128. 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. The saying is used of a family or a village where perfect peace reigns. Thus people say, Ua se i'a e moe o mauga o Savai'i. Se'i to le niu i le tua'oi. Often one hears this saying at the reception of guests. When a number of matai turn out for a common fishing expedition (alafaga), each canoe must keep its place and be steered properly, lest the fishing lines get tangled. Upu fa'amafanafana: comforting, consolatory expressions. Interpreter. 23. Like things carried out of the rain. One single deck. (See also the following.). Fa'aui lau lavea. Sa'a faaoti le utu a le faimea. Both perished at low tide. 11, 12, 23. Ia fa'autu ia le fao. In the Samoan villages the papalagi house built of weather boards - 172 is the exception, whilst in Tonga it has become the rule. Samoan A decision made at night may be changed in the morning. When a family wishes to lay out a big taro plantation, it is well that a specified spot be apportioned to each member. 13. 60. Upu fa'aulaula addressed to a person who appears unexpectedly. To use thatch a second time. Sometimes a touch or simply looking the grieving spouse or family member in the eye is all that is needed to provide comfort. Ia a le puga, a le 'ana, or la a le puga niisi, a le 'ana niisi. Bible Language Gagana fa'a Smoa. The tautai may not refuse him. I was also told that Seu foga'afa designates a usage customary at the alafaga and resembles the malagafaga (No. Funerals are flooded with gifts for the family. 105. By exerting slow pressure on the scraped bark of the 'o'a tree a reddish-brown dye is obtained. Muagagana (from mua, first, excellent and gagana, language, speech) could be translated: embellishment of the language, elevated style. This is why he is known as the Shark of Foa. Check out the video below which features a range of famous Samoan quotes and well-known Samoan sayings & proverbs. I have developed a Samoan mentality. 10. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa. So many fish were caught in it, that the boats could not hold them and many had to be thrown back into the sea. (2) Howsoever cleverly a thing may be concealed, it will come to light at last. The seeming weakness of the octopus. Upu fa'aaloalo. Fa'atilotilo masae. Va i fale ve'a. Upu vivi'i applied in a figurative sense to a man who, because of his good qualities and hard work, is an acquisition to his community. Upu fa'amaulalo, fa'anoanoa or alofa referring to a person who has neither home nor family. Ia lafoia i le fogava'a tele. The faila is a piece of forked wood fastened to the front part of the outrigger of a canoe. O le a gase manu vao, 'ae ola manu fanua. Fa'amanu po'ia i le ofaga. An admonition to live in peace and harmony. 64. Upu fa'aalualu referring to the frequency of the Samoan civil wars. 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. Aua e te fagota i le sao. To this refers the popular song: A'e i le Pola ne'i gaseNe'i sosola o manu e. Climb the Pola Rock noiselessly lest the birds fly away. Applied to petty quarrels between families which are not of a political character and do not threaten the general peace of the community. Ua mua ane lava se fale. 172. Upu fa'anoanoa or alofa used when one is pursued by misfortune. A council meeting in which no decision is reached. Mocking words applied to a boaster. Directly applied to a long meeting and indirectly, to any other performance that takes a long time. 137. Used by someone whose opinion has not been sought. 168. 183. "Who is old and doesn't believe it, will trip into his grave without seeing it." The fibre being too short, she lengthened it with polata (fibre from the midrib of the banana leaf). The wild birds shall die: the tame ones shall live. Ua le sau i le afu, le sau i le tutupu; ua sau i le lalau. A woman wanted to carry a burden on her back, so she took some fau fibre to tie it fast. 5. Though words can never fully express how much someone means to us, language can still provide comfort, solace, hope, and even inspiration following the death of a loved one. It grew in the bush, but it is cast away in the road. 193. Whos responsibility is it to have this be done? Upu alofa: expressions of love, compassion, and sympathy. If at first you dont suceed try, try and try again. When a chief, with the help of his tulafale, succeeds in obtaining the hand of a noble lady, the latter (as well as the child issued from the marriage) is praised as. E gase le pa'a i lona vae. 169. With people it is different. On a narrow neck of land near Puipa'a in Faleata there was a tia. 57. Through the back entrance she received the food which had to be offered to her as tribute. It also means that several men have plotted to harm another. Ua solo le falute. Watch. Mr. Neffgen, Govt. In order for a Samoan to be accept and respected and therefore find themselves, they must follow the rules of their people. When the girls grumbled because the anticipated tit-bits failed to appear, Pili soothed them with the words: O le upega e tautau, 'ae fagota. Cast it on the big deck. If the people there wish to lay out a taro plantation, they have much trouble in removing the stones and digging the holes. Ua fa'alua'i talo Asau. 126). 106, with particular stress on the fact that the homeless person gets no consideration. Take down the huts and put everything away. A Samoan quote about death which highlights how permanent death is. Upu fiafia used at the reception of relatives, friends or guests. Once bitten, twice shy. Same meaning as No. Ua se u ta'afale. (An allusion to the legendary custom in the ancestral home of Hawaiki, of killing shipwrecked strangers.). Upu fa'amafanafana or vivi'i used when a thing is done with so much skill and energy that we may rest assured of its success. The galo is a full grown fish, which in its earlier stages is called fugausi and laea. Expression of regret meaning: The undertaking failed because some error was committed in its execution. It means that his opinion is of no value. The pigeon flew away, just skimming over the water near the place where Pepe was hidden. Lower end rests in a difficult situation when he knows that help is near upu alofa a. 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