Aialaisa clan, Ah Siu Reunion Samoa 2024 Book Launch

 

Today was a very special day as it was the first official day of our Ah Siu Reunion 2024 in *Samoa. It was hosted at the Return to Paradise Resort & Spa in Lefaga.

In representing the Aialaisa clan (orange), my great grandfather's, my grandma Asia's, and my late father Fasavalu Faalavaau Aiolupo Uili's legacy.

The order of the day started with a sacred Chapel Service:

• Welcome by the Samoa Reunion komiti (committee) Leader and my Aunty Lomi, who with her husband are the resort manager/owner

• Lighting of candles for those who had passed away. I lit a candle for my dad, as did my youngest, who accompanied me, as it was the anniversary today of 3 years since he passed away and in remembrance of my elder sister, who passed away this week.

• Prayer by my Aunty Martha & Bible Reading that I read in English from Romans 8: 36 - 39 "... that nothing can separate us from the love of Lord Christ Jesus." We also had Holy Communion for those who were happy to eat a small piece of bread symbolic of the body of Christ and drink a symbolic red drink as the blood of Christ.

• Pese/Songs were sung at the beginning of the service, during and after. It was beautiful to feel the presence of God through Unity and love being shared together as a family, and the various parts of the service reminded us that we all served a higher purpose.

• Afterwards, we had an Ava Fa'afeiloa'i or a kava welcoming ceremony organised through my aunty's resort, with leaders from each clan welcomed and recognised through the ava ceremony. This was another sacred ceremony of the fa'aSamoa (Samoan way of doing things).

• We then moved into tau mafutaga or eating together, including dessert. Afterwards, the introductions began for each fale tama (house of children) clan member from the five siblings of Shing/Xing Ah Siu & Asialausapi Fasavalu.

• Birthday celebrations were interesting also that there were a couple of important birthdays at the Reunion and these were honoured with singing the birthday song, speeches and photos taken at the Photo Booth

• Therein, I was able to have a Book launch of my latest offering called "The Origins of Traditional Tatau (Tattoo) Samoa". The books were blessed by Dr. Rev. Peter, with 5 copies given away to each clan and 50 passed on to the resort in support of hosting our Reunion.

• Introductions were continued by each clan's leader, and it was interesting to learn about the gafa or family tree and how we all "fitted" into the family tree. We then finished with siva or dancing and a Prayer