For the finale, or taualuga, of the first celebration of Samoan Language Month, held Friday at Lee Auditorium, Samoa’s former Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese delivered a speech in Samoan about God’s gifts to man, including the environment.
Titled “O Samoa o le atunu’u tofi, e lē se atunu’u taliola,” it spoke of how Samoa is predestined with defined lands, oceans and people.
In discussing the theories of creation, Tui Atua tied in the importance of one’s environment.
He talked about the use of the language to describe the various stages of creation known in Samoan as the nine heavens, starting with the first, which was nothing and darkness, going on to earth and rock and creation of mountains and oceans, and eventually people.
Tui Atua also touched on the importance of parting words at times of farewell, such as as the parting words of Tui Fiti and Tui Manu’a, often quoted by orators.
Tui Fiti told Tui Manua that he will cherish his love and will not wear it in the open, in case it welts, but would wear it between his heart and his lungs.
He said the reason we believe the soul dwells between the heart and the lungs is that the lungs nurtures and guards ones breath, and the heart delivers the blood and breath to the various parts of the body.
In highlighting the environment, Tui Atua discussed the end of one stage and the beginning of the next stage that organizes the various parts of the environment.
He said, God gave people rights to be guardians of the environment; and he uses the Samoan language to describe the different stages of the ties between man and the land and ocean, and emphasizes man’s domination which comes with deep responsibilities.
“It is hard to fathom the depth of the dangers facing the environment but if we look at what is happening closer to home, it would help,” he said.
He points at the sad situation in the neighboring islands, Tuvalu and Tokelau, now almost all inundated by rising sea levels.
And he said that it is due to the uncontrolled cutting of the forests that creates no room for the rainwater to collect, therefore, it instead runs on to the ocean causing them to rise.
Tuiatua spoke at length of why it’s necessary to have an understanding of the environment, how the Samoan language is linked to the environment, and how the language is eroding just like the environment.
The event was well attended by government leaders, directors, lawmakers, educators, faifeau, high school and college students, and members of the Samoan Language Commission.
An ava ceremony was held to welcome the former Head of State and Masiofo Filifilia.
On Saturday, Tuiatua visited for the first time the islands of Manu’atele. Upon arrival, he knelt and kissed the ground—a ritual of a returning son of the land paying tribute to the land of his ancestors.
