FAUGAGANA PRACTICE

Ia so’o le fau ma le fau.

Strength in working together.

In Samoan mythology and culture, the Fau tree (a sea hibiscus) holds deep cultural and spiritual significance.  It is believed that the gods(atua) had used the Fau, an ordinary tree, as a messenger of divine knowledge to its people. That is why it is called the fau Gagana, the talking fau.

Dr Mulipola believes that the mythology of the fau Gagana reflects her life journey. This journey has followed her early life growing up in the rural villages of Vailu’utai and Fasito’otai to where she is now as a mental health nurse, academic, podcaster and researcher.

Beyond mythology, the fau’s physical properties also reflect its cultural significance. Its flexible wood is integral to the process of so’ofau –the process of connecting the curved beams of a Samoan fale (house). This process emphasises the binding strength of the fau and the importance of safety through unity.

In mental health, this symbolism also resonates with Dr Mulipola’s vision in weaving wisdom and connection into insightful and grounding conversations about mental health. These conversations are important in strengthening community awareness and knowledge about mental health and wellbeing.

Overall, the Fau Gagana represents the merging of clinical knowledge and aganuu fa’a Samoa through conversations with other Samoan experts, to help highlight the importance of aganu’u Fa’aSamoa when understanding mental health.