Myths and Legends

In the past, Samoa did not use written words, only oral language.  Because of this, most of their family history was told to the next generation through oral communication.  The elders in the family would sit down all of the children and tell them stories of their past and their parents past.  This tradition led to the strong cultural value of storytelling, for that is how they kept the past alive.



The Creation of Samoa (A Myth)

The son of Tagaloa was Tuli, and he in the shape of a bird went down from the heavens to the surface of the ocean, but finding no place to rest he returned and complained to his father, who thereon threw down a stone, which became land, or, according to another account, fished up the stone from the bottom of the sea with a fish-hook. The son took possession of this his dwelling-place, but found that it was partly overflowed by the swell of the ocean, so that he had to move from place to place to avoid becoming wet. This annoying him, he returned to the skies and again complained, when Tagaloa by means of his fish-hook raised the rock higher: The name of it was Papa-taoto (the Reclining Rock); it was succeeded by Papa-sosolo (the Spreading Rock), and Papa-tu (the Upright Rock). The rock was covered with earth, or mould, which was then overspread with grass. After this a fue (convolvulus) grew and overcame the grass. Having obtained his land, Tuli returned to Tagaloa as there was no man to reside on it. His father said to him, " You have got your land; what grows on it " Tuli answered, "The fue." His father bade him go and pull it up, which he did; and on its rotting it produced two grubs, which moved a little as Tuli watched them, when again he returned to the heavens and told Tagaloa what had taken place. Upon this he was told to return, taking with him Tagaloa-tosi (or Gai-tosi) and Tagaloa-va'a-va'ai (or Gai-va'a-va'ai), who were set to work on the two grubs. They shaped them into the forms of men, beginning at the head, and naming each part as finished. Both were males. One day, while net-fishing, one of them was injured by a small fish called the Io, which caused his death.
Again Tuli returned to the heavens, and complained that one of his inhabitants was lost to him. Gai-tosi was told to return to earth and reanimate the dead body, first changing the sex from male to female. The two beings formed from the grubs then became man and wife, and from them sprang the human race.
Following the example set by Tuli, the descendants from these two made occasional visits to Tagaloa, returning to earth with some benefaction. Losi in this way is said to have brought the taro to man.
Tuli is also known as Kuri, when he is called a daughter of Tagaloa, and as a bird flew down to look for dry land. She found a spot, visiting it frequently as it extended, and at one time brought down the earth and the creeping plant to grow in it.



PROVERBS
In most cultures, there are proverbs used, however, in Samoa, proverbs become the official language when discussing important happenings between the chiefs.   A proverb is a bit of advice that is said in a story or poem.  If one can understand the words being said, he or she still may not know what is meant, because the proverb may have a hidden meaning, or relate to something that happened in the past.  

Here are some Samoan proverbs, with an English translation and an explanation if necessary:


E sao mai i Amouta 'ai tali' le Amotai, fa'i fo'i o lea, 'a o le toe aso i Moamoa.
The club fight took place on the three malae in Falafa.
We have overcome some difficulties, but there are more ahead of us.

E sau le fuata ma lona lou.
In every generation there are some outstanding chiefs.

Ua mu le lima, tapa le i'ofi.
Having foolishly got into trouble he is asking for help.
Once bitten, twice shy.

O le upega tautau, 'ae fagota.
If at first you don't suceed try, try and try again.

O le upega le talifa.
A net which cannot be mended.
A sickly old man.

Sei fono le pa'a mona vae.
Look before you leap.

Talanoa atu, 'ae le talanoa manu.
A careless person will be taken by surprise by his watchful enemy.

E le aia puga i le masi
Coral blocks have nothing to do with the preparation of masi.
This is no concern of mine

E a le puga nisi, a le 'ana nisi.
Let each do his share of the work.

Ua 'afa le aso.
A day for plaiting afa.
A rainy day



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