"Son, when you grow up, you hold fast onto our culture. You keep our language and way of life in your heart. Don't let it leave you"
50 years later
Tap tap! Laughter. Giggling sounds. "Simeoga! It's dinner time. Come down from your room." yelled mother. She then looked at me and yelled "Salamasiga! Put that phone away and come help me set the table!"
"After I talk to Mike!" I yelled back. "Salamasiga, ea lou guku? You want me to come over there and smack you upside down? ah? You better watch your mouth ey. Or it's gonna fall off one day"
Man this lady. " I said I'll do it after. Geez!" Door slams . oh its dad. "Salamasiga!" "Yes dad" "Come here!" "Okay dad, after I talk with Mike.
*sqash.
"Dad!!!! Why'd you do that for?! That was my brand new phone!!!"
"Salamasiga? Back then when I was your age, I didn't whine and complain when I was given a task. I jumped right to it. My father once told me that a Samoan never complains, and respect towards the elders is important. If they call you, you answer right away. Also, no one has to tell you what to do. If you see that something's wrong, you fix it. We don't have to tell you. I made a mistake not following what my dad told me. But, it's time to change. So from now on starting today, you will speak Samoan on this household or whenever we're together. You say the word tulou when you walk in front of people, and you're always gonna wear a 'ie lavalava when wearing shorts. Ua e fa'alogo mai?(you hear me)"
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Our Way of Life
RandomSamoans, respect is most important in our culture. We believe without it, our children will grow up and bring shame to our name. Our language and traditional dances and songs, are also important to us. These things makes us unique and different from...
