Different delicacies and foods in Samoa...

 

There are many things to enjoy about being back in Samoa but one that I've really liked is getting back to basics with foods. 

We've been blessed with local papaya or Iesi as it's named locally and it's a beautiful fruit to have for breakfast.

We also have local foods dressed in banana leaves without the need for plastics (which is so sustainable for the environment). So you'll find quite a few local delicacies covered by banana leaves such as the local fa'ausi or caramelized Iesi that's been baked (with flour etc.) then the caramelized sugar is added which makes for a tasty dessert.

In fact, we've had fun trying out the various delicacies and enjoying breadfruit and mango, both in season and hard to source overseas. We've had local taro and fish with lots of coconut cream, which you can practically add into anything, including coconut buns and pineapple pie (without the coconut cream).

Don't get me started on the Koko Samoa which is the unadulterated Samoa cocoa which can be freshly sourced: grown then picked and roasted before deshelling and pummeling until a thick rich cocoa liquid is added to boiling water for a cup of Koko Samoa.

Then add coconut rice which is steamed rice with coconut cream added to it at the end of the rice boiling stage and it's a pretty good meal for supper or end of a good days work. I've yet to have Alaisa fa'apopo (coconut rice) but it's definitely a dish that I prefer and look forward to having very, very soon...

Weaving Pandanus plants...

 

This is some of the pandanus plants for weaving, that my parents have grown, on their property which is used for local weaving.

It's something that I have started to learn as an artist and especially have been interested in our Measina workshops to see many coming to learn the art of weaving that our ancestors continued.

However, there is a long process that happens after the fibres are cut from the plant and before the fibres are ready for weaving. One has to dry them and also boil and wind the dried fibres ready for weaving.

I'm seriously considering to enrol into my local wananga (Maori high learning institute), where I work, in the next semester to learn the art of weaving through Maori techniques and then to add them my repertoire from Samoa.

It's a dying art, especially in that not as many women are weaving as they did many years ago, however, there are still weavers who are ready to teach those who are willing and so perhaps a renaissance of weaving needs to happen in Samoa in order to continue this important art that has been continued for many years around the Pacific...

Samoa beaches a special legacy...

Lalomanu Beach fale and beautiful beach

Yesterday, we had a whirlwind trip around the South Eastern coast of the Island of Upolu, after meeting with my husband's family in Siumu.

We then drove around to the Aleipata coast, passed by the village of Lalomanu, which had been devasted by the Tsunami of 2009 and over to see if we could catch the last boat to the Island of Namua but (aue!) we didn't make it.

So we headed back to the sandy golden beaches of Lalomanu where our two van loads of families got out, stretched our legs whilst some went to have a swim in the warm waters of Lalomanu whilst others lay lazily in the comfortable breezes of the beach fale (small open shelters) at $50 tala per car.

As the sun set, we proceeded to quickly finish our late wahoo sandwiches which I and my beautiful Samoan nieces had made earlier in Siumu. Then we set off back through Aleipata and a long night drive back to our home in Fasitoo-uta at around 10pm at night.

It reminded me of the night drives in Samoa that I had with my late father where I'd be driving and we'd be talking late into the night after driving back from Siumu along the Lefaga pass road. It brought back beautiful memories and I was reminded of the privilege of the legacy that had been left for me and my children's generation of the love for a special place in the heart of a father who had lived and loved...
 

Measina a Samoa in Samoa...

 

One of the other important things that I returned to Samoa to observations for my PhD studies on measina (cultural treasures) in Samoa.

Sadly, I had wanted to base my PhD studies in Samoa but as the COVID-19 Pandemic had shut NZ's international borders for around 3 years, it was important that I made a start in NZ with diaspora Samoans (like myself) and then to return to the motherland to see what affects (if any) that COVID-19 had on the use of measina in Samoa.

There's been a lot of discussion but it was especially comforting to see that some were still making Ie Toga (fine mats) that are still being used in Samoa for funerals etc. However, in some villages and families, cash is or expediate and is more easily sourced than ie Toga.

In fact, fewer women are practicing the art of weaving ie Toga as more move into work and other industries. I was often told that in days of old, it was the elder women who would do this work with younger ones joining them later but still seen as the responsibility of the elder women.

Now, it seems that the elder women do not weave as they once did with many falling ill to many ailments and less women spending time weaving on hard floors with all of the associations of preparing the fibres to be weaved.

The pic above is one of an ie Toga that is currently in the process of being woven by one of the ladies who lives with us whose in her 40s and weaves. She has taught her elder 17 year old daughter to weave and it is a something that is done when all the daily chores are completed and there are no other distractions.

It's such a blessing to see in knowing that my parents both planted the two different types of plants that can be used for weaving (but more on that in my thesis). Just so great to know that this is still being promoted in my own home in Samoa and continuing to pass on measina a Samoa to new generations...

Welcome back to Samoa 2023...

It feels like a welcome home in coming back to Samoa in 2023. We did need to clean, sweep and take care of the cobwebs in our house in having been absent for so long but it's been great to be back.

We've had lots of conversations of the great memories and times we had with my late father but also neat in being able to be entrusted with some of the things that he wanted to continue to work on and to bring these into fruition, Lord willing.

The weather here has been quite rainy and that's been great for using rain water to do all the things that we would normally do in not having our usual water pipes working. Hopefully we will be able to have this sorted next week when people start going back to work after the holidays.

So it's been great to be able to go to our different local fresh water holes which are communal and to see the various sites. The sad thing is that there have been a lot of local roadworks for widening the main road and lots of plants have been taken out in our local area with lots of changes to house frontages.

Even our house has not been lost in these changes but just grateful that we are able to see what else needs to be done and also the various plans to ensure that these come into fruition very much in line with how my late father would walk the talk...
 

Blessed to be back in Samoa in 2023...

 HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2023. Ia manuia le Tausaga Fou mo 2023. I'm here in sunny (and rainy) Samoa with my family and enjoying being back after 3 years break due to the COVID-19 restrictions of closed international borders in NZ.

I was last here with my parents in September of 2019. Sadly, my dearest dad passed away during the COVID restrictions, a year ago (as discussed in earlier blogs) and I've had the privilege of coming to Samoa to keep my personal promise to him of having a Memorial stone for him here.

So we had a NZ memorial service and unveiling on Xmas Eve 24 Dec 2022 at 10am and then a week later we were blessed to be able to do it again in one of my dad's beloved villages where he first grew up in Fasito'o-uta. It's been a real blessing as we'd had a year to prepare for it and all came into fruition (with some extra bits and pieces too) but I've come to know that you just need to prepare for the unexpected in Samoa too.

Now, I can relax and take stock of some other things that need to be done whilst here in Samoa. I've got some books that I'm working on and have a few ideas for book launches and speaking engagements but just taking it easy as just slowly getting back into the swing of things.

I must say that Samoa has changed a lot and even when I catch up with some Aunties and Uncles, they say the same that since the global COVID-19 epidemic, that there are certain things that have been rethought. I am blessed to be able to speak Samoan and that helps to see the differences too.

Suffice to say, that I'm just so thankful for this opportunity and in knowing that this was a very special place for my dad and in his heart he really cared for Samoa, his villages and families. That's something special that he gave to me as his parting gift to never take things for granted and to be thankful for what God has in store for us during our lifetime/s...

Unveiling of Papa's Memorial stone, NZ...

 

A couple of days ago, on Christmas Eve a year after we buried my father, my family was able to host a memorial service, at his beloved local Pacific Islanders Presbyterian church and then hosted the unveiling at our local cemetery followed by food packs to take home.

It was a real blessing to have been able to open restrictions after a whole year of mourning (more of a process) and now I'm able to blog more regularly and also write and publish more regular in having somewhat fasted during this period.

We had our Reverend Ministers attend with our family representatives, church family and friends. It was a beautiful service with my sister and youngest making a video picture montage of many special memories that we had together.

We were also gifted during this time and pray that God will bless those who gave as we also gifted during this time. It's definitely been a very special time of reflection and contemplation of the many things that my father did that defined who he was but also how we learned so many life lessons from him.

I've already started a book of some of his memoirs so that future generations are aware of how this pioneering forefather was able to accomplish so much during this 84 years on earth and how he still inspires, through God's presence in his lifetime, a spirit of tenacity, honesty, courage over adversity and a hardworking ethic.

I miss his presence but I believe that he remains in my heart and through his God inspiration encourages me to continue in the gifts and talents that I've been given to write and to share some 'gold' in the world that we live through my writings etc.

At the family service, I was able to share of how it was a privilege to be his daughter and that although he wasn't a perfect father (no one ever is) but h was a perfect father for me. We did have a mutually respectful and loving relationship that continues to inspire me beyond the veil...

Attending a Samaga or final ceremony for traditional Samoan tattoo...

 

Today, I had the privilege of attending my faiaoga (teacher) of Gagana Samoa (Samoan language) samaga or final ritual or ceremony of completing a traditional Samoan male tatau or tattoo.

The process involves a prayer and lifting the tapu or sā (restriction) off the tattooing. An egg is cracked and then with tumeric and oil is rubbed all over the tattooed person's body.

The traditional male tattoo is known as a malofie or pe'a and it was such an important and special occasion for my class to be invited to support and attend with him during his tattoo which took around 5+ days. 

In the pic, our teacher is lying on the floor whilst the tufuga or Master tattooist is using the traditional method of tapping the markings on him. The pain must have been excruciating but he handled it well.

The completed tattoo is also known as a "la'ei" or garment and that is worn as a symbol of serving ones village, church, family, Samoan traditions etc. and our teacher already does this well.

It was particularly important for me to also attend as I am currently finishing a picture book on traditional Samoa tattooing that I first started writing the text in Melbourne in 2016 but at that time did not feel quite ready for the illustrations or finalize.

However, upon attending and watching the tattooing process with my class, I felt that the time was right to complete and launch in Samoa in the new year of 2023, Lord willing. As it was also mentioned that this is a measina a Samoa or another treasure of Samoa that is so important to be aware and participate in.

It was even more special to be able to share it with my classmates in support of our teacher who has been a very keen in sharing this journey of his family with us and deepening our understandings of the fa'aSamoa. Not only theoretically in class but also practically in an opportunity such as this...

New Published book since the 2020 global pandemic...

This last weekend, I celebrated the 50th Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration of my birth-church with a book blessing of a book that I had the privilege of editing on behalf of our church the PIPC (Pacific Islands Presbyterian Church) of Mangere. A church that my father was blessed to have been one of the founders of.

It is the first book that I have self-published since the global COVID-19 Pandemic that hit NZ in March of 2020. During that time I thought of it as a "sā" or sacred phenomenon that needed my attention. As a result, I felt the importance to take heed and to listen, observe and be watchful for the next chapter of my writing.

It caused me to refrain from publishing any books during that time and it also coincided with the passing of my beloved father in December of 2021. Here too I refrained from blogging and writing much until a year has passed as part of my grieving process and in giving space for a deeper spiritual understanding of life as I live it here in Auckland, New Zealand in the year 2022.

In the new year, I will return to my blogging and publishing, with more exciting book on the horizon to publish. I feel refreshed and I see some new outcomes for my writing and publishing projects with this first book giving me much pleasure and in sharing it with a community of believers.

The book itself received contributions from our two reverend ministers as well as four groups within our church of a) the Session clerk & Combined church b) the Cook Islands Secretary & groups c) the Samoan Secretary & groups d) the Niue Secretary & group.

Within each group there are youth groups, ladies or mother's groups, men's groups, and many other committees that assist in providing opportunities and information to the church. I had the privilege of editing, formatting pics and the document and designing the cover page. I also had the opportunity to write the Foreword and Afterword which was a real blessing.

May the New Year of 2023, hold many new promises for each and every one of us for a refreshed and blessed year with much potential for a breath of fresh air in each of our lives. I'm really looking forward to what 2023 holds...
 

Measina Showcase & Toa Samoa...

Wow! This November we've finished 2 years of Measina (Treasures of Samoa) workshops with our A'oga (school) community and had lots of fun along the way.

On the left is a collage of some of the pics that were taken during our final Measina Showcase, however, it did coincide with the same day of the pre-World Rugby League cup finals celebrations on Saturday 19th of November.

That's with the knowledge of the current world cup holders - Australia, playing Toa Samoa who have never made it into any World cup finals. So this was big!

It was a crazy day with back logs of cars trying to get to Fan bases all around the city and with Samoans (and their supporters) flying the Samoa flags proudly on the cars and beeping, beeping and more beeping constantly around town.

It was an epic celebration even before the finals game between Samoa and Australia with Samoa being the underdog as a second tier nation playing against a first World nation. Plus the fact that we now that Australis is a seasonal and well oiled machine in playing Rugby League at the top of the table for many, many years.

But even though Samoa came second it was a big win for the nation with small nation of Samoa on the lips of many international and I saw many of our measina on display through Social media that showed off the culture of Samoa. May this continue to grow world-wide and prosper...

New book "Intergenerational Echoes: COVID-19..."

Finally, we are back on track with the launching, last weekend, of our latest offering from the Mana Māngere writers' collective and guests with a collection called "Intergenerational Echoes: COVID-19 Experiences in Māngere and Otāhuhu".

This is the fourth book in our collection with the beautiful cover by my sister and artist Anna-Maria Tauau (we just call her Maria) and she just graduated with her Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge degree this year and was one of the writers as well.

The collection is similar to the others of having writers write on the theme of sharing their COVID-19 experiences from within their communities through poetry or short stories.

There are some poems/short stories that are angry, happy and also some that are sad but hope was encouraged as we each navigated our space through the pandemic.

It was also fitting to have our book launch on that weekend as the mask restrictions as well as the COVID-19 Traffic light system had been lifted earlier and we could once again move freely without wearing masks at the book launch.

I'd like to now share one of the acrostic poems that my sister wrote called "CORONA VIRUS CRISIS". It's an interesting poem because with the global pandemic came new vocabulary, some of which we had not used or heard of before, or words were used in new ways...

Contract tracing

Outbreak

Recovery

Oxford Astrazeneca Vaccine

N95 (masks)

Asymptomatic

Ventilators

Incubation period

Respiratory symptoms

Infectious

Sanitizer and soap

Conferencing with Zoom

Restricted movement

Infodemic

Social distance

Immunization

Self-isolation

 by Anna-Maria Tauau

New book "COVID-19..." weekend launch...

This past weekend had been so busy that I hadn't gotten the chance to blog about it until now with the launch of our latest contribution since 2019 pre-pandemic called "Intergenerational Echoes: COVID-19 Experiences in Māngere & Otāhuhu"

 It's a collection of short stories and poetry from the Mana Mangere writers' collective and guest writers. The theme of the collection was for each writer to write about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic that affected so many people since 2020 when it first appeared on our shores.

The book was dedicated to those who had passed away during that time of which also includes a short story about the passing of my father during that time as well as 3 other people that I had been aware of who had also died during the time but not of COVID-19 itself but through other factors.

It's was a bittersweet time in having the writers come together as I had purposefully waited until the pandemic numbers had significantly decreased before having a book launch. Interestingly enough, the last book launch was about the 1918 epidemic in Samoa.

I'll share some of the short poems in another blog but to suffice to say that it was an event (book launch) that was enjoyed by all and the first of more books to be launched in coming weeks and months as we look forward to what the new year brings...

Happy Springtime with "Master Blaster"...

 

This week I've been jamming with my lil' sister and in our travels one of my all time favourite Stevie Wonder songs came up in our conversation as I think she was sharing about a Hollywood tribute to the iconic star with Beyonce singing a medley of some of his hit songs.

I watched the tribute but in my opinion it doesn't really come close to Stevie Wonder's original hits. So I've been playing his "Master Blaster" hit song and dancing to it whilst completing my 10K steps for September.

Yes, it has a Reggae beat and a real pick up now that Springtime is officially on the cards for our NZ seasons. Plus with my busy schedule, this song just reminds me to take it easy, one day, one step at a time and to just enjoy!...