Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoan Language Week
28th May 2023
Celebrate: Sunday 28 May - Saturday 3 June
The theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week 2023 is ‘Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga’ which means ‘Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity’.
This year's theme focuses on the importance of the Samoan language and identity. It impresses on us the need not only to understand the Samoan language, but to also use it as much as possible. When you are proud of your language and can speak it, you will also be more grounded in your identity as a Samoan.
Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga encourages Samoan language pride in four key areas:
- Be proud of your ancestral language
- Be proud of your spiritual language
- Be proud of your language in your families
- Be proud of your written language
Visit MPP Samoa Language Week 2023 for more information, activities and events.
Stay connected:
- Follow Pacific @ Waikato to keep up with activities and events around the University of Waikato.
- Stay connected online by visiting the official Gagana Samoa i Aotearoa Facebook page.
Le manuia vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa!!
Welcome to Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week 2023.
Widely known as one of the epicenters of the Pacific, Samoa is approximately a 4-hour plane trip from Aotearoa. Today, Western Samoa is an independent country that was once under New Zealand governance and gagana Samoa is the third-most spoken language in New Zealand. This year the Library wants to celebrate the knowledge and mana of Samoa
Our experts have brought together treasures by Samoan academics, artists, writers and musicians. Set the mood for a seki (cool) week by turning up to the Library’s Spotify playlist ‘<3 from Samoa’. Then delve into our collections for educational resources and materials about Samoa. You’ll find titles to help you learn gagana Sāmoa and many more! Entertain yourself with The Laughing Samoans and choose your late-night readings from our list of resources. Finally, don’t forget to visit the Hamilton campus to take a selfie with none other than Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson.
Disclaimer: Not the real Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson
<3 from Samoa - Spotify Playlist
Read, Listen, and Learn–our collections and beyond
The savage coloniser book
Author: Tusiata Avia
The voices of Tusiata Avia are infinite. She ranges from vulnerable to forbidding to celebratory with forms including pantoums, prayers and invocations. And in this electrifying new work, she gathers all the power of her voice to speak directly into histories of violence.
Samoan art and artists = O measina a Samoa
Author: Sean Mallon
Longlist, Montana New Zealand Book Awards, 2003 (Non-Fiction: Lifestyle & Contemporary Culture Section) Samoa is one of the most written about and discussed island groups in Polynesia and its history and culture have for many years attracted the attention of travellers, anthropologists and writers.
Poetry by Mua Strickson-Pua
"I Have always incorporated poetry & Pasifika Poets Collective for readings and performances. I am a performance poet, exhibited artist via Lavalava Arts, Story teller, Comedian, Free style rapper/MC, and Community Arts Curator.
My Kaupapa is telling my Pacific stories via Pasifika Hip Hop, Arts, & Poetry. Empowering, Educating, and Entertaining."
Check out Mua's poetry on NZ Poets Online
Tatau : Samoan tattoo, New Zealand art, global culture
Author: Mark Adams
When Tatau was first published in 2010, Mark Adams' renowned images documenting a great Polynesian art tradition were a revelation. It told the story of the late Sulu'ape Paulo II, the pre-eminent figure of modern Samoan tattooing.
Writing the new world: Shining the light on early 20th century Samoan literary cultures
“'Writing the New World' researcher and PhD student Wanda Ieremia-Allan explores her childhood memories of the delapidated London Missionary Society Malua Print house in Samoa as inspiration for her study of the cosmopolitan, Pan Pacific, early twentieth century Samoan literary cultures that stretched from as far as Torres Strait Islands to San Diego, US and New Zealand.”
Listen Writing the new world: Shining the light on early 20th century Samoan literary cultures
Coconut Milk
Author: Dan Taulapapa McMullin
Coconut Milk is a fresh, new poetry collection that is a sensual homage to place, people, love, and lust. The first collection by Samoan writer and painter Dan Taulapapa McMullin, the poems evoke both intimate conversations and provocative monologues that allow him to explore the complexities of being a queer Samoan in the United States.
Read Coconut Milk
Illustrated London News 1889, v.94
Access article in O Neherā
Apia, Samoa 1876
Illustrations of Apia, Samoa in 1876. Includes an image of "Navigation Islands" and the "Council House".
Access article in O Neherā