THE CULTURAL PRACTICES AND TRADITIONS OF A SAMOAN FAMILY IN HAWAI’I

Elizabeth MaddockChaminade University

EDUC 652 Dr. Mary Smith

March 2013

Final Project-Cultural Exploration

My final project was an exploration of a culture outside of my own. I wanted to understand how the traditions and cultures of another group influenced their real world experiences. I completed my project on a Samoan family and interviewed each member of the family asking them questions about their culture. My family had the wonderful opportunity to have dinner at the Faumuina home. It was an experience that enlightened my entire family and one that I won’t soon forget.

The Connection Between Samoa and Hawaii

HAWAII AS WELL AS NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA OFFERED GREATER OPPORTUNITIES AND EDUCATION. “MY PARENTS MOVED HERE FOR EDUCATION.”PAUEL’I FAUMUINA

The Role of the Mormon Faith in the Faumuina Family is very important as it is considered a part of the family’s identity. “I want to teach my children

about what my parents taught me.”Vaoiva Faumuina

An Example of Schools Found in Western SamoaEducation is Important to the Faumuina Family. “I plan to finish high school,

then go on my mission, and then college. “ Saiona Faumuina, 15 years old

The Samoan Language“It’s a disappointment that my kids do not speak Samoan. I’m glad my parents never stopped speaking” [to me in Samoan] Paueli Faumuina

Samoan HutsMany of the homes in Samoa are built into huts. The

photo is an example of a hut.

The Lava-lavaIva demonstrated to me how a lava-lava is worn. She then offered the lava-lava as a gift to me. It was a wonderful learning experience for both myself and my family.

Photo of Iva with her daughter Sydney. Regarding the role of parents in Samoan culture, “I am teaching my children how to run a household.”Iva

Faumuina

Dinner with the Faumuina FamilyMy family was graciously invited to the Faumuina’s home to experience the food of the Samoan culture as well as develop a greater understanding for the Samoan traditions, through conversation. We began dinner with a prayer, reflecting the importance of God in their lives. The prayer was said by Trisha Faumuina. She is 11 years old.

Acknowledgements

Discover Life Team. (n.d.). Discover Life Team. Retrieved March 2013, from Samoan Language: http://discoverlifeteam.wordpress.com/category/samoan-language/

StateMaster. (2003-2013). StateMaster. Retrieved March 2013, from Maps of Hawaii: http://maps.statemaster.com/state/HI/1

"Western Samoa." Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Cultures. 1999. Retrieved March 07, 2013 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3435900529.html

WikiMedia Commons. (2009, October). WikiMedia Commons. Retrieved March 2013, from Samoan faleo'o (thatched home), Falealupo village, Savai'i, Samoa.JPG: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Samoan_faleo'o_(thatched_home),_Falealupo_village,_Savai'i,_Samoa.JPG