Coco Talanoa — Pacific Blog / Page 14

By Floris Niu, Initiative Creator/Cocoa Farmer for Ms Sunshine Organic Farms

Samoa’s first Women’s Farming Calendar, featuring 12 cocoa and mixed-crop growers, their stories, and the attempt to revive traditional or organic farming practices, at grassroots level.

Farming by the Moon:

The ancients observed how the moon affected the tides and by tracking it alongside the sun, they developed calendars to predict agricultural rhythms. The sun was the life giving force, but the moon played an important role in predicting rainfall.

Polynesians understood and moved with the Moon as it proved to them that everything is connected. They followed the Moon phases to plant certain crops and to fish in particular ways or at a particular time, to prevent over fishing. 

They thrived under the guidance of the Moon’s harmony with the rest of Nature and existence.…more

By Meli Tulewa 

Bula Vinaka. I am Meli Tulewa, a former Flight attendant with Fiji Airways.

When I was young, whenever Fiji Airways was hiring Flight attendants, one of my friends would bring the news and we would then share our exciting dreams of becoming flight attendants and create our own happiness with imagination.

Many people who knew me always thought that this was impossible because I was born with a medical condition or birth defect called congenital talipes equinovarus (commonly known as ‘clubfoot’) on my right foot which could result in me walking on the side of my foot. Thanks to my mother, Kelera Tulewa who raised me single-handed, she decided to put me up for surgery while I was only 8 months old. Since then, I walked without any issue even though my right leg was slightly thinner than my left leg. Growing up, I never liked to highlight or tell people about my condition unless they see it for themselves and ask me. I grew up being laughed at and people even made fun of my leg.…more

By Vaai Nah Folasa

As I have written before, there are a number of lessons arising from our recent general election.

The OEC has done an amazing job in accommodating special voters, counting and re-checking every individual vote and has done so professionally, with thoroughness and efficiency. But can we make the process more efficient? Are there areas needing further reform? Here are a few ideas.

1. Voting does not decide the winner.  In the lead up to the election there were numerous changes to the electoral system, to constituency boundaries and even to eligibility criteria. Voters were made to register for their appropriate seat and new electoral rolls finalized. Yet in spite of all these changes to close loop-holes why is it that the Court becomes the final arbiter?

2. Bribery - The Art of Giving and Taking.  Even before the final votes were tallied both parties were jostling to lodge challenges of bribery and treating. Knowledge of this appears to be wide spread and even acceptable to some degree.…more

By Vaai Nah Folasa

More than a week after the general election and Samoa is no closer to knowing who will govern us for the next 5 years.  Last night it was announced that an additional seat would be added to Parliament to meet Samoa's minimum quota for female candidates. An HRPP candidate had been appointed to make up the apparent shortfall.  This morning Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio (pictured above - photo credit Samoa Observer) announced his decision to join the FAST party which means there's still a 26/26 tie.

The OEC has done an amazing job in accommodating special voters, counting and re-checking every individual vote and has done so with thoroughness and efficiency. But still there is no outright winner.

So at this point, what do we know?

1. The electoral process remains faulty. In the lead up to the election there were numerous changes to the electoral system, to constituency boundaries and even to eligibility criteria.…more

By Va'ai Nah Folasa

Samoa's 2021 will go down in history as a true game changer.

The official results have the two major parties each with 25 seats and an Independent candidate may yet hold the balance of power.

It is expected that there will be a flurry of legal challenges. Leaders of both parties have indicated this. Ultimately it will be the Court who is the final arbiter.
Regardless of the final tally, Samoa's political landscape has changed forever.

It is clear that after some 40 years in power the HRPP no longer have ultimate and unfettered control in parliament.  Whether voters were expressing outright dissatisfaction or whether they just believed it was time for a change remains to be seen.

It is also evident that Samoa is more than happy to be led by a woman. Fiame Naomi Mataafa held her seat at Lotofaga uncontested and went on to become leader of  the new FAST party.…more

By Va'ai Nah Folasa

Cover photo credit:  Office of the Electoral Commission Samoa 

While Samoa awaits the final counting of votes and the inevitable legal challenges and appeals, what lessons have we learned from Friday's election?

In no particular order...
1. Never underestimate the power of social media. While Government media outlets (2AP and the Savali) touted the HRPP line, the mainstream press played a cautious approach often several days late with breaking issues. Meanwhile social media was active, timely and while not always correct managed to create debate and focus issues at a mass level. FAST embraced various platforms skillfully and effectively. The belated creation of Facebook page by HRPP was too late, too little and missed the mark completely.

2. Understand that youth have a voice and are confident that their vote can make a difference. Previous elections have witnessed several generations of a family voting the same traditional way. Today's youth are informed (refer above), interested and have priorities which differ to older generations. Clearly they are not afraid to express that and seek change.

3.…more

Take your Shakespeares and Stevensons, give me our Hauʻofas and Teaiwas.

The first time I laid awake at night after reading a book I was around 17 years old. It was the day I finished “Poems from a Marshallese Daughter” by Kathy Jetnil Kijiner. I kept running her words through my mind and visualizing the stories she told all night. It was the first time I read a book with stories that I could feel. Not in a “Naww I wanted Bella to end up with Jacob now I’m sad” way, but in an “I want to get up in the middle of the night and go hug my mom” way. It came from this place in me that knew Kathy and her words were linked to me by the same ocean. I had never felt that way about a book or its author before. Then it dawned on me. Meyer, Austen, Fitzgerald, and Collins... I had only ever read work from white authors.…more

By Lefaoali’i Dion Enari

In 2021 Matai (Chief) are not only visible at Samoan events, but are also part of mainstream popular culture. Boxing greats Faumuina To'aletai Mafaufau David Tua, Lupesoliai La'auli Joseph Parker and former All Blacks Captain Fa’alogo Tana Umaga are but a few public figures that can be seen addressed by their Chief title(s) on T.V. Even former New Zealand Prime Minister Leulua'iali'iotumua Bill English and International Superstar Seiuli Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have been formally bestowed titles.

As the visibility of Matai grow, so too does the debate on who is entitled to receive this mark of Chiefdom. These debates have been further heightened by the new law in Samoa, now prohibiting those residing overseas from becoming a Sa’o (head Chief). This law has sparked much controversy, as to who is entitled to certain Matai names. I do not wish to give an answer or solution to this debate. Instead, I wish to provide different insights from my own personal experiences.…more

By Lefaoali’i Dion Enari

* Cover image '4 tha Lumana'i' by Raymond Sagapolutele 

As a Samoan Researcher, looking at the ‘plastic’ islander debate, I have seen it all. From those who are trying to learn their Pacific languages and cultures for the first time, to those who were raised as fluent speakers, and all in-between. I have seen both sides of this story; from the diaspora born being teased by Island born, for not knowing their mother tongue; to Island born, being made fun of by their NZ, Australian and American born cousins for having ‘broken’ English. Growing up, some of us were not taught our Pacific languages, out of fear it would negatively affect our position in the palagi world. There were also those who were taught our mother tongue, as they were constantly around other Pacific people.    

As we see the term ‘plastic’ islander, most of us have our own personal stories of being attacked, comforted or challenged for our beliefs.…more

By guest writer Datia Wilson 

It has been just under two years since I have returned to Savaii, to take care of my grandmother who has advanced dementia. Although raised in Savaii as a child with my brother and understanding aspects of Faasamoa, I had come over from NZ with an overseas mentality.

I had lived such an independent life in NZ, I remember thinking on our return I could still wear what I want, go out at whatever time and not really caring about others opinions. Oh boy, was I wrong! It only took a couple of firm conversations with my uncle (chief of our family) explaining how crucial it is I understand that I am now living in the village still upholding their traditional ways. With that comes the responsibility of being the face of the family and carrying the family’s reputation.…more