FA'A SAMOA

The fa'a Samoa could be considered as a collection of tradition, culture, language, behavior, cooking, dancing, talking, geneology, legends, myths, politics, etc, etc. It governs in various ways, directly and indirectly, how Samoans behave and interact with other Samoans and non-Samoans.

For example, when Samoans sit cross-legged in a fono (meeting), it would be consider rude to stretch out ones legs casually and will invite criticism. From that simple example to the more elaborate and dignified Ava Ceremony, the Fa'aSamoa defines the Samoans.

The fa'a Samoa also includes a language that is used exclusively by the mata'i or titled man. This language was formulated and evolved through time by history, tradition, ancient stories, and legends in the form of poetry and proverbs. In inter-village and inter-island affairs, those who are well versed in this language represent their chiefs and villages as orators or talking chiefs. Any person could read these verses verbatim, but unless he or she understands the story behind the verses, the phrases would seem rather unfamiliar even for a Samoan speaking person.