On Fa‘aaloalo and Feagaiga
Students please post your responses online here to the prompts for the final.
The
sister is revered as the spiritual center of the family; she holds the pa‘ia (sanctity) and mamalu (dignity) of the ‘āiga.
Brothers respected and feared their sisters because they held this mana, this spiritual power. The sister
was called the ilamutu or the tamasā (the sacred child). The term ilamutu has also come to refer “family
gods”. A brother who disrespected his sister could incur the wrath of their “aitu”,
the family gods, spirits, and guardians. A sister could curse her brothers’ wives
and children so as to cause death. The sister also has the power to bless her
brothers and their children, so careful maintenance of this relationship is
made to ensure that the will of the sister is fulfilled.
The
sister functions as the counsel to the family, advising them on important
matters, even in the bestowal of chiefly titles and on the distribution of fine
mats and family heirlooms. She has great influence in decision-making in the
family if she is not the one to get the final say from. She is also the one to
sit at the head of the casket at her brother’s funeral, highlighting her
importance in the family – that it even transcends the role of the wife in the
family.
The
importance of the sister as the feagaiga
is a special covenant in Samoa. The brother-sister relationship is an important
model for other social relationships in the fa‘asāmoa:
between mātua (parents) and fānau (children), ali‘i (high chiefs) and tulāfale
(talking chiefs), males and females, and even faife‘au (pastors) and ‘aulotu
(congregations). They all have certain roles, responsibilities, and obligations
that are similar to the bond between brother and sister. This relationship is
so fundamental that it is used to describe covenants in general: as the Old and
New testaments in the Bible, as treaties between governments, as contracts
between certain parties, and as relationships between pastor and his
congregation.
The
feagaiga covenant is based out of fa‘aaloalo (respect) and alofa (love) between the brother and
sister; this is the social bond that keeps families connected and is the
conduit through which members of the family understand their roles and
responsibilities in their families, villages, churches, and in the Samoan
nation.
Faʻaaloalo
ReplyDeleteOne important part of the culture that is commonly known when hearing the word faʻasāmoa is “faʻaaloalo”, which means Respect. Faʻaaloalo is the foundation of the Sāmoan culture. It is built upon faʻaaloalo and found at any gathering.
Vā fealoaʻi is maintaining good social relationships. These relationships dictate certain etiquette such as relationships between atua (God) and tagata (human), mātua (parents) and fānau (children), and tāne (husband) and āvā (wife). It conveys a firm sacredness and dignity that must be obtained.
Faʻaaloalo is demonstrated out of alofa and compassion. These concepts and values relate to each other because it governs every Sāmoan’s behavior in their culture. They uphold high values and standards in honor of their family and village.
Faʻaaloalo forms interactions in the faʻasāmoa in both gagana (language) and aganuʻu (culture). The language is classified into 3 parts, gagana taʻatele, the common language, gagana matai, the chiefly language, and gagana faʻaaloalo, the respect language. Gagana faʻaaloalo is often used when talking to someone who has high ranking and not referred to yourself. As for aganuʻu (culture), itʻs demonstrated through actions.
Faʻaaloalo is learned as a young child and begins within your own home. It teaches children how to be disciplined and polite. In their culture they believe that whatever the child does it reflects back upon the parents. Faʻaaloalo should be taught and perpetuated, especially to younger generations.
-Ten (10) rules of etiquette in Samoan culture and the rationale behind their existence:
1. Respect other people at all times.-The golden rule
2. When walking in front of people or passing in front of people, lower yourself and excuse yourself by saying “tulou” or “tulou lava.”- Shows you have respect for others.
3. Never talk to others while standing, especially to elders and chief. Sit down and talk.- Shows you respect them.
4. When entering into a house, remove shoes/slippers.- Shows you have respect and manners.
5. Do not eat in the presence of others and not offer.- Shows respect to yourself and your peers.
6. Give up your seats to elders/adults in the house or bus.- Shows respect and how much you care.
7. Ask permission before leaving house or classroom.- Shows respect to everyone.
8. Greet, say farewell, thanks to others.- Shows you have manners and respect.
9. Offer help to elderly people.- It shows you have manners and respect
10. Apologize for any grievances you made towards others.- Shows you have respect.
Feagaiga
Feagaiga signifies the connection or relationship between a brother and his sister in the Sāmoan culture.
It is referred to as the most sacred and special bond between both brother and sister. The sister holds the dignity, sacredness and spiritual power within the family. The brothers respects the sisters because of their mana and if they disrespected her, she can curse them.
Bros to sis:
1. Fulfill any of sis wishes
2. Provide for her safety and well-being
3. Protect her sacredness and dignity
4. Perform heavy duty work
Sis to bros:
1. Tāpuaʻi- cheer on her bros
2. Preserve her purity until marriage
3. Advising important matters in family situation
4. Bless or curse her bros, his wives and childrens
Restrictions:
1. Not allowed to eat together
2. Not allowed to sleep together
3. Bro not allowed to wear or touch clothes of his Sis
4. Bro were forbidden to swear to their Sis.
The feagaiga is important because it builds good relationship with one another. Siblings learn faʻaaloalo and are involved with each other’s learning. It is a life-time relation that continues even after marriage. Feagaiga is useful in modern society so we may keep good relation within the family.
Dionne N.
Alix Storrer
ReplyDeleteSamoan Final
Part 1:
•The meaning of fa’aaloalo is very simple, it simply means respect.
•Va’ fealoa’i means to keep good social relationships among the Samoan society.
•The relationship between fa’aa’loalo and alofa is that to have respect means to have love for others. Fa’aa’loalo goes along with love, kindness, mercy, and compassion.
•All of these concepts relate to each other because to have respect for one another means to have love and kindness for others. You can’t have one and not the other. They all correlate with each other, go hand in hand.
•Fa’aaloalo is very important to the Samoa culture because they pride themselves on respect and love for each other. Respect is shown in the language and culture by asking someone’s name by saying “suafa” instead of igoa. It’s expressed in the culture by lowing yourself in the presence of chiefs and elders.
•I do believe that it should be taught to the younger generations because to me, respect and love makes up the whole Samoan culture. It makes it what it is and that’s why it’s such an amazing culture. It’s the youth’s responsibility to carry that on.
•Ten rules of etiquette are: avoid walking in front of people, if you have to lower yourself and say “tulo”, don’t eat while standing, don’t eat while talking, don’t eat when others are speaking, always offer food to others, remove your shoes when entering a house, never talk to others while standing, ask permission before leaving a room, and apologize to others that you have offended.
Part 2:
•The meaning of the feagaiga is the Brother- Sister relationship in the Samoan culture. It implies that they both of the upmost respect and love for each other.
•Four responsibilities of the brother to their sister is; provide safety and well being, protect her sacredness and honor, do the heavy work and cooking for her, and to serve her.
•Four responsibilities of the sister to her brother are; to cheer him on, preserve her purity until marriage, bless and or curse her brother, and to have decision making power in many family situations.
•Four restrictions between the brother and sister are; they are not allowed to eat together, not allowed to sleep together, brothers are not allowed to touch or wear his sisters clothing, brothers are forbidden from swearing around his sister.
•The brother sister relationship is important in the Samoan culture because it is a holy relationship that is inherited. It cannot be changed so they must accept, respect, and love each other.
•I believe that the idea of honoring each other and treating each other with the upmost respect is important in modern society. I think this because your siblings are always going to be their for you no matter what so its important to have a strong healthy relationship with them.
-Alix Storrer
Mike Edwards
DeletePART I: Fa‘aaloalo
The word fa‘aaloalo in the Samoan culture means respect or etiquette. Vā fealoa‘I means keeping good relationships with God and the people in your life. When you have love for someone you have a certain level of respect for them also. You cannot have love without respect and you cannot have respect with love. Fa’aaloalo and alofa come together interchangeably. Fa‘aaloalo and alofa are also associated with relationships between brothers and sisters. Fa’aaloalo and alofa tie together closely because of their relationships within the Samoan culture and family relationships. Fa‘aaloalo is important to the Samoan culture because it shows the people how to live and what actions how respectable to the culture. In the language fa‘aaloalo is used when speaking to someone who is older or respectable. The Samoan language is broken up into three parts. Gagana fa‘aaloalo is where respect ties into the language and is only used towards other and not towards oneself. The Samoan concept of respect should be taught to the younger generation. There are too many young people that do not respect their culture or their language. Because of this traditions die out and respect is lost. There are rules of etiquette in the Samoan culture that people should follow. Some of them are as follows:
1. If you walk in front of someone say excuse me.
2. Try not to walk in front of people.
3. Apologize for any trouble you have caused anyone
4. Greet, say goodbye, thank, and congratulate everyone.
5. Ask before using or leaving anything in someone’s house or a classroom.
6. Do not talk to elders or a chief or any adult while standing.
7. Give up seats to elders.
8. Do not eat, drink or talk while walking or driving.
9. When entering a house, take off your shoes.
10. Direct eye contact when talking is not needed.
The rule one and two exist because it is considered disrespectful to walk in front of someone and if it is done you must apologize. Taking off your shoes when you enter someone house shows that you are treating their home like your own. Rule 3,4,5,8 and 10 are ways that respect is shown and is done to as a part of the fa’aaloala way of life. Fa’aaloala teaches a hierarchy way of life where the elders are at the top and receive the most respect which is shown through rules six and seven.
PART II: Feagaiga
The root word feagai means to be opposite. The word feagaiga refers specifically to the relationship between a brother and sister. In the Samoan culture the relationship between a brother and sister is very sacred. The sister is also has a very important role in the family in the Samoan culture. Brothers have certain duties or obligations to their sisters. They have to provide for their well-being and safety. Brothers also have to protect their sisters pa‘ia and mamalu, they also have to do all the hard work around the house which includes all the cooking. Brothers also must. Sisters do have some duties to her brother. She has to have Tāpua‘I, or support for her brother. A sister also has to preserve her dignity, make wise decisions for the household and give her brother a blessing or a curse. In the Samoan culture there are some restrictions between a brother and sister relationship. A brother cannot eat with their sisters, they cannot sleep together, brothers cannot wear or touch their sisters’ clothes and they cannot swear at their sisters. The feagaiga is important to the Samoan culture because it is a good model for other relationships. It is also important to the Samoan culture because it exemplifies fa’aalaola which is the way the Samoan culture exemplifies respect. Feagaiga is important to the modern society because it shows how relationships in society should be. Brother and sister relationships should have a certain level respect and beyond them relationships with elders and other adults should have certain obligations between them. I believe that feagaiga is important because having respect for your siblings should be one obligation to a brother or sister.
Fa’aaloalo is the Samoan word for respect. It is the center theme in the fa’asamoa and governs day to day life. Respect is shown out of alofa or love for each other and love for the culture. It can be expressed through gagana by using respect words such as suafa when referring to another’s name but not when referring to one’s own name because along with respect one also must show humility. It is also expressed by using different words of greeting according to the rank of the person you’re talking to.
ReplyDeleteRespect is also show through aganu’u in daily life. Some rules of etiquette are: Do not eat or drink while standing or walking. Do not talk back to elders. Sit with your legs folded and don’t point your feet at others. Do not show off your body. Do not talk with your mouth full. Do not laugh too loudly. Try not to walk in front of people, but if you have to make sure you say tulou. Do not eat alone, always share your food. Do not swear in public and do not fa’aumu in public. The reasoning behind these rules is to show respect and also to not offend anyone through your actions.
Va fealoa’i refers to social relationships between various people such as the relationship between matua and fanau (parents and children), tane and ava (husband and wife), the faife’au and the ‘aulotu (minister and congregation) and the matai and the tagata lautele (chief and commoners). One should know what role you play in each relationship to make sure you maintain a healthy and happy relationship because Samoans are very community oriented and are always helping each other out and not just themselves.
The most important relationship is the feagaiga between brother and sister. This is an obligation and bond that brothers and sisters share. To Samoans a sister is the apple of a brother’s eye and not a lover as seen in many Western cultures. The sister holds the sacredness of the family. Some responsibilities that a sister has to her brother are that she must listen to her brother, she has the authority to make important decisions, she must cheer on her brothers, and she has the ability to bless or curse her brothers including their wives and children. Some responsibilities that the brother has to his sisters are that he must always protect his sister, he must protect her virginity, he must do the cooking and heavy work, and also he must place his sister before his girlfriend or wife. Some restrictions between brother and sister are that they cannot sleep in the same room, a brother must not swear to his sister, a brother must not hit his sister, and a brother and sister should not eat together.
This relationship should be maintained even today because it is a beautiful life long relationship unlike that between husband and wife which is chosen and can be replaced. Your brother or sister will always love you unconditionally and always has your best interests at heart. I believe if you have a strong family bond then it will help you have strong relationships with others throughout your life.
Part 1: Fa’aaloalo
ReplyDeletePlease answer all of these questions and add your own reflections:
• What is the meaning of fa‘aaloalo?
- Fa’aaloalo means respect. In the Samoan culture, respect is a necessity. You give respect where it is needed, respecting elders, anyone older than you, and anybody but yourself (the same concept applies to a younger person, where they would show respect towards you).
• What are vā fealoa‘i?
- Va fealoa’i is the social relationships between people in the Samoan community. It can mean anything from the good standings that a person has with God, family, friends, children, spouses, and parents.
• What is the relationship of fa‘aaloalo to alofa?
- The relationship between respect (fa’aaloalo) and love (alofa) are extremely important in Samoan culture. They tie hand in hand through cultural practices, gatherings, conversations, and so many other types of situations. When you’re strong in both love and respect, it is easy to demonstrate in any type of conversation or situation.
• How do all these concepts/values relate to each other?
- Love and respect are two extremely powerful aspects in regards to the traditional Samoan culture. They tie hand in hand with the vā fealoa’i because that is how people are supposed to carry through with maintaining good relationships – through respecting and loving others selflessly.
• Why is fa‘aaloalo important in Samoan culture? How is fa‘aaloalo expressed in both gagana (language) and aganu‘u (culture)?
- Every culture has specific traits that its people or observing outsiders can identify them with. Respect is one of the most powerful identification tools for the Samoan culture. It’s expressed in gagana through three types of languages – gagana ta’atele, gagana fa’aaloalo, and gagana matai. These are the common language, the respectful language, and the high chief language. Depending on the situation or person being addressed, one would use one of the three to speak with. One’s actions in the culture and language are expressed through respect.
• Should it be taught and perpetuated, especially to younger generations and why?
- Definitely! Respect is such a powerful tool that can be used with any type of ethnic interaction. As a Samoan (or someone studying the culture), one should carry oneself highly with respect, yet still show humility. For Samoans, its how you carry yourself, treat others, and how you don’t embarrass your family, village, or people. More kids nowadays need to be taught that mentality.
- Being born and raised in American Samoa, I was lucky to be taught not all, but many of these characteristics. Personally, it is such a shame on the reactions I get when I do small things for people. They are so shocked that I would do something, because it is sometimes rare to find it with our current generation. Giving and helping selflessly is part of what defines you as a Samoan.
• List ten (10) rules of etiquette in Samoan culture and the rationale behind their existence.
- Acknowledgement towards a person when he or she just enters a room. Samoans do this to show that that person’s presence is welcome, accepted, and acknowledged.
- Saying “tulou” when walking in front of a person. Samoans say this one word phrase out of love & respect.
- Saying “e le afaiaina” when the phrase “tulou” is enacted, acknowledging and properly excusing them.
- Do not eat in front of others, unless you have enough food to share with everyone present.
- If there isn’t enough food present, immediately offer it to the elders and sister, before even thinking about yourself, or your little siblings.
- Asking to be excused before you walk outside
- Giving up your seat for another person, regardless of being on the bus, at a gathering, etc.…
- Serving the elders, serving the sisters, then the men who prepared the food can serve themselves (in a traditional Samoan household).
- Brothers protecting their sisters from any man that will try to tempt her
- Respecting their parents and acknowledging and carrying out their requests
Part 2: Feagaiga
Delete• What is the meaning of the feagaiga? To what does it refer? To whom does it refer?
- Feagaiga means a relationship, contract or agreement, and sister. When one talks about the feagaiga, it directly means the relationship between the brother and the sister. Fa’afeagaiga is the relationship with the pastor, who is treated as the sister (in terms of respect).
• List at least four (4) responsibilities of brothers to their sisters.
- The brothers are supposed to cook and serve their sisters
- Protect their sisters from perverts in the night
- Watch over their sisters, even when they are married. The feagaiga is a life-lasting relationship, till death.
- Protect a sisters dignity and sacredness
• List at least four (4) roles of the sisters in relation to their brothers.
- The sister has the authority to bless or curse a brother
- The sister needs to support her brother
- The sister can give advice to the brother
- The sister needs to listen to her brother
• List at least four (4) restrictions between brothers and sisters in their vā feagai.
- The brother cannot touch his sister (like a massage)
- They cannot sleep together
- The brothers cant wear or touch the sisters clothes
- The brothers cant swear at their sisters
• Why is the feagaiga between the brother and sister important in Samoan culture?
- The feagaiga is extremely important in the Samoan culture because it is a life-long bond and a contract between the brother and his sister. From their adolescence, the brother looks out for the little sister and makes sure she’s taken care of. Even throughout high school, college, marriage, and old age, the brother has the responsibility to watch over, maintain and take care of his sister till death.
• How is the feagaiga useful or not useful in modern society?
- The feagaiga is extremely useful and important in regards to modern society. Although the Western mentality would not want to think this way, a husband or a wife can always be replaced. However a brother or a sister cannot. Therefore maintaining a good relationship between both is extremely important and useful in modern society. Although your marriage might not work out and your spouse can leave you, your feagaiga will not.
Zack Anderson
ReplyDeleteFa’aaloalo (respect) is built into Samoan culture and is part of the faasamoa (Samoan way) which is involved in everything Samoans do. Children are taught these values at a very young age and they incorporate these values into their everyday lives, which extends from their homes and into their communities, setting the standards known as faasamoa.
Va’fealoa’I is part of the organization in Samoan culture by keeping and maintaining good social relationships. Social relationships expand beyond their own homes, but it is crucial maintaining relationships within the village’s hierarchy system.
The relationship between fa’aaloalo and alofa is expressed through learned values and morals. It is extremely important to have compassion and love for one another in order to gain and maintain respect.
It is extremely important to maintain fa’aaloalo in Samoan culture because it is incorporated into every aspect of fa’assamoa. Fa’aaloalo brings order into society by enforcing these unwritten laws that apply in Samoa. These values are learned in Samoan homes and in return, society carries order and organization. Honor is very important in Samoan culture and every family member is expected to honor the Samoan ways. The hierarchy system in the home is very similar to that of the chief rankings in the villages, which is dictated by age and authority. Language is expressed through actions and gestures to acknowledge peoples presence. It’s the little things that matter, such as excusing yourself when walking in front of others, don’t eat when someone is talking, and to always put others first. I don’t think fa’aaloalo is expressed through Samoan culture… It is Samoan culture! All these values and concepts relate with one another because they are learned at a young age and are part of the Samoa way. You can’t expect to do one and not another, it is more of a discipline that is taught throughout the entire culture.
I feel like it is extremely important to teach young children to show and act in a respectable fashion. The entire family, village, and society are responsible to teach discipline and to pass it on to the next generations. In order to get respect, you have to show respect. Values like these lead to others, like trust and loyalty. It strengthens communities and people are willing to help everyone out that is a part of it.
10 Rules
• Always respect others
• Never eat while walking
• Never eat without offering to others/Never bring food out if you don’t have enough to offer
• Always take off slippers when entering another house
• Always ask permission to leave or to use something
• Always be polite and apologize for any wrong doings
• Always greet and say good bye
• Always help elders and give up your seat
• Always sit criss-cross on the floor and put legs under mat if stretching
• Never eat while talking or someone else is talking
• Always respect others
Feagaiga is the brother-sister relationship in Samoan culture that continues an entire lifetime. It is defined as a “respectful and honorable protector and guardian relationship.” It is the most sacred relationship between two people in Samoa.
Brother/Sister responsibilities
• To serve and honor
• Safety and general welfare
• Protect sacredness
• Cook and lift all heavy material
Sister/Brother responsibilities
• Decision making
• Support her brother
• Bless/curse brother
• Preserve her purity until marriage
Restrictions
• Not allowed to sleep together
• Not allowed to eat together
• Not allowed to touch sisters belongings
• Not allowed to use foul language around sister
The feagaiga between brother and sister is important because it is not by choice, but inherited. The relationship brings balance, love, and respect towards one another. The feafaiga is useful in modern society because it teaches people how to maintain lifelong relationships. I can see this in my own family, we will always stick together, whether were in the wrong or not. Having relationships like these teach loyalty and trust.
Davis Holt
ReplyDeleteSam 201
In Samoa Respect is the most important thing. It is this way of life in which the people live. In Samoa they call this Fa’aaloalo. Fa’aaloalo can be found in many aspects of the Samoan culture. In class we were first taught about when walking in front of people it is respectful to acknowledge their presents and that you are entering their personal space you must lower your head and say Tulou. This is important because it shows that you are not blowing them off and not looking down at them. Also it is important that you never eat and walk or talk at the same time. Also it is important to never eat while elders are speaking so it shows that you are paying full attention to what they have to say. When you do have food make sure that you can share with everyone especially when in large gatherings. When eating alone and you have more than enough save it for later or to share with others. Also when you enter someone’s home it is important to be extremely respectful. When you first enter you must take of your footwear and enter from the back. Respect towards the elderly is very important and if you are sitting down and there is no where for that person to sit, you must give up your seat. If the elderly people need food or money, you should also offer this. When talking to elders, or people of higher rank you must be lower than them either sitting. When dealing with others belongings you must ask permission (fa’anoi) to use them, or you must ask permission to leave the classroom or house. You must greet and say goodbye to everyone when entering and when leaving. Always thank people for helping you or for what ever else they may have done to help you. If you happen to offend someone you should try and apologize. Do not swear in public especially around women or elders. At major events you must wear your lavalava, it must beat neatly done around your waist. Always helping is important as well.
Another part of the Fa’aaloalo segment is the Feagaiga, or the relashonship between the brother and sister. In many other cultures the brother is often thought of as the important child but in the samoan culture the girl hold the spiritual power of the family and it is the duty of the brother to protect her. If the brother has wronged the sister, the sister is able to curse the brother and kill his family through curses. The relationship brothers have with their sisters is sacred and many things are forbidden. They are not allowed to eat together. When your around your sister you cant say anything profane or inappropriate.
I believe that Fa’aalolo is a very important part of samoan culture and that it should be translated over to our everyday lives. If people were more respectful to each other it would improve the overall life..e
Kris Butler Sam 201
ReplyDeleteThe Samoan culture is built off the ideologies of respect. Fa'aaloalo is the Samoan word for these customs, which along with it carries many ways of showing respect and etiquette. For example, one of the biggest actions expected from the Samoan fa'aloalo is to only use respect words toward others, and never yourself. This practice is called self-abasement. When speaking to others in a Samoan culture we must lower ourselves through words, as well as physically if necesarry, in order to show respect to whoever we may be talking to. The Samoan culture also carries a heirarchy where chiefs, leaders, and elders are at the top, and young boys are on the bottom. In Samoan culture one is to enter the room or house through the back door, when possible, and must remove footwear before entering the house. As a sign of fa'aaloalo one must not show their back to another person. when walking in front of people it is a common practice to duck down and say tulou, which means excuse me, everytime you pass in front of a person. When in a social setting the Samoan culture mandates the people sit in a circle so that everyone can see each others faces. A large part of the Samoan aganu'u, or culture, is the va feoloa'i. Va feoloa'i means social relationships. The Samoan culture is such a social one that they heavily strive for positive social relationships among their given communities. In the Samoan culture it is also important to never eat and walk at the same time, or eat while talking. Eating while an elder is talking or if anyone is talking to you is also considered a rude action. It is a custom to share food if you were to bring food to a social setting. Elders are reguarded as important figures and must be tended to when necesarry, giving up a seat or helping stand are examples of this. When speaking to an elder, it is required that you lower yourself or even sit to show fa'aaloalo.
Feagaiga is the relationship held between the brother and the sister. In traditional Samoa the brother is a servant to his sister. The sister is seen as the spiritual leader who has the ability to curse the brother if he is not performing his duties properly or if she does not like his girlfriend/wife. The brother does all the cooking in the kitchen and then serves the parents and sister. The brother is not permitted to sit with the rest of the family for dinner, but must wait until everyone else is done to begin eating, given that there is still food left. The brother is also the sister's protector and must fight any person who causes harm to the sister, such as a boyfriend. The feagaiga is a sacred relationship that still exists today. The brother and sister are also forbidden to sleep together. Because this relationship is "o" possessive, or inherited, it is stronger than any "a" possesive, alienable, relationship, such as marriage. When a man gets married he must recieve the blessing from the sister and is still a servant to her before his wife. This feagaiga is important in all societies because siblings are supposed to be supportive of each other and take care of each other. I think that this goes along with the fa'aaloalo so that there is nothing but respect being passed around from person to person creating a happier community and better quality of life for everyone.
Fa'aaloalo is the samoan word for respect. In Samoa respect is the root of everything. You always respect others and put others before yourself. Thats the way everyone is raised in Samoa.
ReplyDeleteVa fealoa'i refers to the relationship between people. How people try to strengthen relationships and maintain relationships. It all leads back to alofa and fa'aaloalo because you maintain relationships by showing alofa and giving respect to people. Va fealoa'i is relationships between people and God,parents and children, pastor relationships with people.
The relationship between fa'aaloalo and alofa goes hand and hand with eachother. You will get alofa from people if you show them fa'aaloalo and same goes the other way.
All these concepts relate to eachother through alofa and fa'aaloalo. These two really show the roots of Samoa.
Fa'aaloalo is showed through gagana by people speaking respectfully and using respectful words like suafa, fa'apefea, tulou, susuga,and things of that nature. You show respect through aganu'u by actions. For instance bowing when you say tulou, never standing and eating, and helping elders by giving them a hand or giving them your seat. Those are few of the many ways to show respect.
It should be taught to the kids nowadays because kids are getting spoiled. They need to learn respect and the meaning of it.
1. Show respect to others
2. Say tulou and bend over when walking in front or between people.l especially elders
3. Do not stand and talk to someone that is sitting down. Either sit down next to them or lower yourself to them.
4. take your shoes off when you go into a house
5. do not eat in front of people without offering or sharing
6. give up your seat to elders
7. ask permission to leave home or class
8. greet people and say goodbye to people, acknowledge people
9. help elders in need, or anyone in need
10. apologize for grievances you commit toward others
Feagaiga refers to a relatioship that is sacred in Samoam culture. It is the most sacred bond. It refers to the brother and sister relationship in Samoa. The brother respects and serves his sister. The sister is sacred and looks out for the brothers wellbeing.
Brother
1. Fulfill the sisters wishes
2. Provide for the sister safety and wellbeing
3. Protect the sisters sacredness and dignity
4. Performs all the heavy duty work around house.
Sister
1. Tāpuaʻi cheer on her brothers
2. Preserve her purity until marriage
3. Advising important matters in family situation
4. Bless or curse her brothers and his wives and childrens
Restrictions
1. cant eat together
2. cant sleep together
3. Brother cant wear or touch any clothes of his Sister
4. Brothers are forbidden to swear at their Sis.
Feagaiga is important to the culture because the bond keeps the family strong. This relationship is the most sacred of all of them because the brother and sister bond cant be broken. It lasts forever even after death.
Feagaiga is useful in todays society because it shows the strength of family. How you take your sisters word over anyone else.
Part 1: Fa’ aaloalo
ReplyDeleteFa’aaloalo means respect and it is what Samoan culture revolves around. Without respect in the Samoan culture the customs and values that the culture is based upon would not exist. Acknowledging the presence of people is big. When it comes to taking note of people such as chiefs, parents, elders, teachers, and those who are of high regard it’s important to differentiate between how they would be greeted or talked to verses when talking amongst friends.
The meaning of Vᾱ fealoa’I is social relationships. Social relationships are very important because they are the link to the passing of customs and traditions that help keep the culture alive and thriving.
The relationship between fa’aaloalo to alofa go hand in hand based on the fact that in the feagaiega relationship the respect that the brother and sister have elicits a stronger sense of love amongst the two. It’s because of the respect between the two that their bond/love is such a strong one. Fa’aaloalo should be taught at a young age so that way children grow up with the value of respect, because it can carry a person a long way. I think if kids are taught at a young age what values are important then it will shape them into better people as they get older. Respect is a universal for everything.
Part 2: Feagaiga
Feagaiga is the brother and sister relationship.
Responsibilities of the brother to the sister
• To protect her and keep her out of harm’s way
• Protect her honor, dignity, and sacredness
• Cook for his sister and waiting on her to what she needs
• Avenge his sister in the case that someone disgraces her.
Responsibilities of the sister to the brother
• Uphold/keep her purity until marriage
• Keep her brother in good spirits and motivate him
• Permits the sanctity of marriage of her brother and his wife
• Have the power to make decisions in family situations
Restrictions between brothers and sisters
• Sisters and brothers were not allowed to eat together
• Brothers and sisters could not sleep together, and each had their own beds
• Brothers could not wear the clothes of their sisters
• Brothers were to not use profanity or distasteful words in front of their sisters
• Brothers and sisters were not allowed to socialize together for fear that topics of sex would be brought up.
The brother/sister relationship is so important in the Samoan culture because this sacred relationship upholds many values such as dignity, respect, dignity, and protects the sacred covenant between the brother and sister. Without this relationship it would change the whole dynamics of Samoan culture, because it sets the tone for how men and women are viewed and how they are to behave in the culture. Men and women learnt the importance of respect from this relationship that is based on the value of respect itself.
Fa’aaloalo means respect in English. It is based off of Fa’asamoa (Samoan way). Children are taught to be respectful to be respectful to others, especially elders. Vā fealoa‘I means to keep a good relationship in with people and God. Fa’aaloalo and Alofa is a strong bond because they both are words that describe the meaning of Samoan culture. The Samoan culture is evolved around Respect and Love. Fa’aaloalo is expressed by three types of languages- gagana ta’atele, gagana fa’aaloalo, and gagana matai. Gagana in English is languages and aganu’u is culture. It should be taught to younger generations because it is more likely that their generations at teach the ones before them.
ReplyDelete1. don’t talk highly of yourself (faa’lalolalo)
2. Try not to walk in front of others, but if you do then you say Tulou
3. Apologize for anything that was done wrong
4. Greet, say goodbye, thanks, and congratulate everyone
5. Ask before using anything in others house
6. Be respectful to others things
7. Give up your seat to elders
8. Take off shoes before entering the house
9. When eating around a group, make sure you have enough for everyone
10. Do not face you back to elders or others when speaking to you.
Part 11
Feagaiga is the brother and sister relationship. The brother is supposed to cook, protect, protect her dignity and sacredness, and watch over her till the day she dies. The brother cannot touch the sister, they cannot sleep next together in the same room, cannot touch the clothes of the sister, the brother cannot swear at their sister. Feagaiga is important to Samoan culture because of the bond between the brother and sister. From their baby times the brother looks over his sister, and make sure she is well taken care of. The brother has a responsibility till the day she dies. Maintaining that good relationship between the brother and the sister is good for modern day life.