5 features of diaspora Samoan women's identity markers...

'Return to Paradise' Resort beachfront in Legafa, Samoa

Today I decided to change tack in my PhD studies and reach out to other diaspora (living overseas from a point of origin) Samoa women via social media (and in this case Facebook) to ask about ideas or thoughts regarding what the top 5 features for identifying as Samoan women including rites of passage in our communities i.e. what sets us apart as uniquely Samoan women from other indigenous women groups?

In formal studies there's usually an ethics committee at the tertiary institution that one would have to go through to check on issues of privacy, the types of questions asked, storage of data, that would be asked that weren't offensive or leading, that the research undertaken would be dealt with ethically etc.

The Ethics committee is still a part of this study but I see this as a conversation starter through a social media platform to enable diaspora Samoan women to discuss this topic and if there is interest to be a part of my formal study then the opportunity will be there too.

I definitely have my own views but instead of launching directly into writing about them, I thought it best to consider a range of perspectives from women who identified as Samoan women whether they lived in Samoa or outside of the motherland.

For me I have particular interest in the views of those who live as diaspora Samoan women living outside of the motherland and particularly those living in New Zealand but views from other countries would also be interesting to learn about.

So you are most welcome to list your top five and give reasons for your answers on this website or via through the Facebook thread that I will begin. I guess for me the importance of having public engagement earlier on is that it will allow for women to discuss 'our' own issues or ideas genuinely without having pressure of being a part of a university study.

So what are your top 5 features and why?
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'Green Book' movie review...

Last week I had the opportunity to watch the movie 'Green Book' which is currently playing in Cinemas based on the real-life story of two people: a world class African American concert pianist, Dr Don Shirley (has 7 PhDs and speaks 8 languages) and a working class Italian American driver who both make a journey and build a friendship between New York and the Southern states of American to play concerts over a 2 month period.

I highly recommend this movie as one that discusses race relations and homophobia in the US during 1962 around the time with Martain Luther King had started his support of openly protesting against prejudice, racism and the many challenges that African Americans experienced at the time.

The actual name of the movie is named after a 'Green Book' that was compiled by an African American post office worker, years earlier, who was aware of the dangers where apartheid-like laws operated in many of the Southern States.

It also assisted many black travellers by giving names in the book and the locations where black travellers could stay for the night or for a few days at hotels, motels or itinerate places that they would be welcome to stay when travelling for funerals or across state as this could mean the difference between life or death in some states as demonstrated in the movie.

A tremendous performance by both actors: Mahershala Ali, who plays Dr Don Shirley and Viggo Mortensen who plays the Italian American driver with the possibility of winning an Emmy in the upcoming awards...

Best Oka (raw rish in coconut cream) in Vaigaga...

Best fresh 'oka' in Vaigaga 

 One of the best places in Samoa to pick up Oka (raw fish in coconut cream) is in one of my Aunty's village of Vaigaga. You have a choice of many fresh fish to purchase daily or you can buy a cup of delicious spiced oka worth SAT$6 with or without bones.

So everytime we pass close by we, when we get a chance, we buy some oka in which you can taste the lime/lemon, cucumbers and hot pepper to either consume on their picnic tables with a SAT$1 boiled green banana, or we take it home to place in the fridge to eat with the next family meal.

You gotta believe that it doesn't last long in our family ie. it doesn't last to the next day and then we're craving for more. So no fancy restaurants for us (except we we're out visiting on a special occasion) as when we go to Samoa it's just at the local markets to support our local families or the local supermarket.

So if ever you're in Samoa and you're wanting to check out some fresh oka, don't go past the village of Vaigaga which is only a 5 - 10 minute drive (depending on traffic conditions) as it's sure to whet your 'oka' wanting appetite...

In memory of the devasting 1918 Influenza epidemic...

Mass graves at Vaimoso from the 1918 Influenza Epidemic and commemoration stone

 Last week I was able to take my family to Vaimoso in Samoa to view the commemoration stone erected by the NZ government some years ago and the lines of concrete depicting the mass graves of the 1918 Influenza Epidemic.

It is understood that within villages, some were able to bury their dead on their own lands but so many Samoan were effected at the time that the epidemic was at its peak, that the NZ Garrison got involved in burying the dead who lived close by to Vaimoso in a bid to contain the epidemic spreading further.

It's part of the indigenous research that I'm doing for our next book soon to be released in commemoration of now over 100 years since the fatal influenza epidemic reached Samoa's shores back in the year 1918.

The research for this book has been a couple of years in the making in wanting to get the story right and also in trying to understand the circumstances that lead up to what happened and the aftermath which is still being felt today.

I know that the effects of this devastating event still affect some of the families that I am connected to in not knowing or having gaps of knowledge in their genealogy because significant family members who held that knowledge died during the epidemic and those family connections and stories were not passed on.

I must say that even for many Samoans, this part of their history is unknown to them and I most recently found out where the mass graves were located because this part of our history has not been taught well inside and outside of Samoa and for me, our books are a part of encouraging the education of our children to know about their history that informs their past, present and future...