Sāmoan Language Week

Fr Hook blessed the flag and those gathered, a shortened Rosary was prayed for Samoa and the Samoan national anthem was sung while the flag was being raised.

Unfortunately the flag got stuck at the top of the pole but the Central Station Fire Brigade came to the rescue this morning! Matua Tili was very happy to get his flag back.

A brief history leading to our independence.

1722 - Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen was noted as being the first European to explore Samoa.

1830 - London Missionary Society arrives in Samoa. Catholic missionaries came in 1845 by way of the French Marist Priests.

1899 - Western powers wrestled over Samoa resulting in Germany taking over the western side of Samoa and America taking the eastern side. Samoa became known German Samoa, then Western Samoa (at the time of independence) then later just as "Samoa" (in 1997).

Under German occupation, Samoan governance through the Matai (traditional Chieftainship) system was being threatened and we have the first wave of the Mau Movement led by Paramount Chief Lauaki Mamoe who was exiled from his country to Saipan along with other Samoan chiefs who challenged the administration of that time.

1914 - New Zealand invades Western Samoa during World War I and becomes the new colonial administrator.

1918 - Under New Zealand administration knowingly allowed the ship Talune to dock Samoa with people infected with the spanish flu killing off 20% of the poplulation.

This led to the second wave of the passive resistance movement called the Mau. “Mau” means to hold firm. To hold firm to sovereignty and identity.

1929 - It is recorded that Samoans marched peacefully down the centre of Samoa led by Paramount Chief Tupua Tamasese with a request for independence. The New Zealand authorities at the time responded by opening fire killing 11 Samoans including the leader.

Tupua Tamasese’s dying words were "My blood has been spilt for Samoa. I am proud to give it. Do not dream of avenging it as it was spilt in maintaining peace. If I die, peace must be maintained at any price."

1962 - After deliberation with the New Zealand government on the 1 January, Samoa became the first South Pacific Nation to gain independence but Samoans celebrate this in June as January is within the rainy season. New Zealand Prime Minister Keith Holyoake was next to the new Prime Minister of Samoa Mata’afa Fiame Mulinu’u at the raising of the Samoan Flag. Prime Minister of Samoa Mata’afa Fiame Mulinu’u's daughter is the current reigning Prime Minister of Samoa who was elected last year.

The Flag:

RED: Courage and blood spoilt for Samoa

BLUE: Ocean and freedom

WHITE: Purity and the Stars indicate Samoa’s place in the world and their faith in God.

Faavae i le Atua is the motto for Samoa - God is the Foundation

Samoan Language:

In New Zealand the Samoan language or Gagana Samoa is not called a foreign language it is referred to as a community language.

It’s the second most spoken language in Auckland and the third most spoken language throughout New Zealand. This week marks 15 years of celebrating Samoan Language Week in New Zealand.

Although there are some similarities with Te Reo Maori such as fa’alogo, and titilo. There are also differences phonemic articulations as in “ai” and in words a’iga (kainga) and fanau (whanau). Connected but still different.

Samoan language and culture has helped to shape New Zealand’s Pasifika identity. I’m hearing word within the Ministry such as talanoa (dialogue), fono (meeting), ā’iga (family) and fiafia (entertainment/joy).

Ia manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa. Have a great Sāmoan language week.