Governor Suggests Review of How FaaSamoa Is Practiced

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Governor Lolo Moliga has urged traditional leaders and lawmakers to take a hard look at the way the culture is currently practiced and see what changes can be made to lessen the burden on the people.

His comments were made at a cabinet meeting this morning at the Department of Agriculture Conference room.

The governor said people are being imposed on in the practice of the culture and they cannot afford it.

He said this is one reason why young people don’t like the culture.

Lolo cited an example:  When there’s a faalavelave and couples are asked to provide $500 and 100 fine mats, some would leave the fold and return to Samoa, while others return to Manu’a.

This is an indication, he said, of people being burdened by the culture and they stop supporting  it.

The governor said the culture is simple and beautiful but the way that it’s sometimes practiced is making people dislike it.

He urged the Secretary of Samoan Affairs,  traditional leaders and lawmakers to review what can be changed to attract young people to the culture.

The governor said the territory should also be thinking of our political status, and referred to the division in the Governor’s Office which is tasked with carrying out public education on political status and constitutional issues.

Lolo also underscored the need to look at the territory’s economy because of an uncertain future for the fishing industry.

He predicts that fish supplies would not be as plentiful in the future and the territory needed to explore other options, like tourism development.

He said he and Lemanu are open to suggestions and ideas and would be happy to hear directors’ thoughts on developing the territory’s economy.

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