SAMOAN CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE
E mamae le tava’e i lona fulu.
The white-tailed tropicbird takes pride of its white tail feather.
This proverb speaks to the pride that one takes in their identity and culture. This resonates with the theme of Fau Gagana Practice as this platform reflects my respect and pride in my Samoan heritage. I have a passion in merging my clinical and cultural knowledge as a tama’ita’i Samoa and a tausi soifua-mental health nurse.
About Aganu’u Fa’a Samoa
The Aganu’u fa’a Samoa refers to the Samoan cultural way of being.
The FauGagana Practice is founded on the belief that Aganu’u fa’a Samoa is pivotal in understanding the mental health and wellbeing of Samoan communities.
The values of the FauGagana Practice are derived from the fa’a Samoa values of alofa, fa’aaloalo, tautua and fetausia’i. These values are continuously practiced in Samoan daily life especially when engaging with others (Muaiava, 2014). The absence of these values can cause mental distress, hopelessness, and distrust in relationships (Mulipola et al, 2022).
Samoan worldview on mental illness
Indigenous Samoan beliefs of mental illness have highlighted the importance of Samoan spirituality. Research and literature exploring this connection, highlight that mental illness is said to be caused by the disrespect of cultural boundaries (va tapuia) between a person, others and the environment (Vaka, 2016; Efi, 2009). This highlights that mental wellbeing/illness must also be understood through the lens of Samoan culture and its practices.
KEY ELEMENTS OF AGANU’U FA’ASAMOA
O Le Vā Tapuia
The Samoan culture is governed by the complementary and equal relationship between God, people, spirits and the environment (Efi, 2009). These relationships are protected by the va tapuia (the sacred space). Honouring the va tapuia between people and the environment is key to achieving peace, harmony, holistic health and mental wellbeing for Samoans (Mulipola et al, 2022; Efi, 2009).
Aiga
The Aiga (family) in the Samoan culture, is a defining part of a Samoan person’s identity and sense of self. The family unit is the core pillar of a Samoan person’s fa’asinomaga (sense of belonging) in Samoan society. It is within the family where values and cultural practices are nurtured and sustained. The Samoan culture is kin-based and highlights the importance of family in influencing and shaping a person’s wellbeing (Efi, 2009)
Fa’a-lē Agaga
Spirituality is core to the Samoan culture as seen in our cultural performances, ava ceremonies and celebrations. Spirituality is also incorporated in traditional healing and cultural processes such as ifoga- (act of forgiveness), talanoa and fa’afaletui (discussion), and fa’aleleiga (reconciliation) (Filoiali’I & Knowles, 1983). Most Samoans prefer to seek traditional healing methods for ill-health and mental illness before considering western medical healthcare (Vaka et al, 2009; Lui, 2007).
Christian faith and religious practices also play a very important role in the Samoan culture (Salesa, 2014). The practice of tatalo (prayer) and fasting (anapogi) are believed to be influenced by both Samoan culture and Christianity. Church communities are also an important pillar of support and belonging for Samoans and are where aganu’u fa’aSamoa are also practiced (Mo’a, 2015). These practices help Samoans to cope when experiencing mental distress and psychological unrest (Mulipola et al, 2022).
Gagana
Samoan culture is oratory in nature meaning that the Gagana Samoa, is inherently poetic and metaphorical, (Efi, 2009). In the Samoan language, the meaning of mental health and mental illness can be understood and described in different terms. Therefore, it is important to incorporate language support for Samoan consumers during discussions with mental health professionals (Mulipola et al, 2022). It is important to ensure that the causes and symptoms of mental illness are fully described and understood.
Measina
Measina Samoa are culture treasures and sacred practices in the indigenous Samoan context (Efi, 2014). Measina such as tatau-tattoo, lauga-oratory, gafa-geneology, suafa matai- chiefly titles, fa’afiafiaga-performance and ie toga-fine mats, etc are cultural artifacts that define a Samoan person’s sense of belonging. These practices draw on the inherent dignity and strengths of Samoan people, and their worldview (Muaiava, 2022). Samoan pride, and sense of belonging are strongly connected to measina of the Samoan culture and must be understood (Efi, 2009; Muaiava, 2015).
Ole Va Tapūia - The Sacred Space.
The nurturing of relationships is a cornerstone of Samoan social life. Core to maintaining peace and harmony within these relationships are cultural protocols and ethics.
These protocols are:
Tapu - taboo
Feagaiga - covenant
Tuaoi - boundaries
Collectively, these concepts create a persona of peace and wellbeing as understood by indigenous Samoans.
Some examples of the application of these concepts are relationships between:
Parent and child
Brother and sister
Offender and offended
Samoans believe that mental illness is caused by disrespecting the va (sacred space) between self, people and the environment (Efi, 2009).
Overall, these cultural relationships are in play when a Samoan engages with healthcare. So, it is valuable for health professionals to be aware of these core practices to strengthen conversation about recovery, care planning, and support for health and mental wellbeing.