Fuatagavi Family Party

     I’ve said earlier that Samoan culture is heavily oriented to families; nothing here carries as much weight as your family.  Families work and worship together, constantly keep in touch, help in distress, share the joys and pains of life.   Cyndi and I are lucky enough that we are treated as family by the Fuatagavi’s – in particular, my employer Ruth and her husband Junior.  But not just these folks; their entire family has been so absolutely kind and generous to Rick ever since he came, and to Cyndi after her arrival.

     Junior is one of five children, he has four sisters: Fua, Bessie, Polu, and the youngest, Ola.  Junior is actually Malaga, but no one outside family really knows him by that name.  He married Ruth last year, so she is now a Fuatagavi as well.  Cyndi and I feel as though we have been adopted fa’a Samoa – Samoan style.  Instant family, friends, culture guides and mentors.  Practical jokers too – recall the Samoan Car Wash scam perpetrated by Fua and Polu upon this naïve palagi.  Yet never has a measly $10 paid off in laughter as much as mine did then!

     Well, families enjoy a party as much as anyone; Cyndi’s arrival provided the excuse.  Junior suggested a pig roast, and I happily provided the pig.  Cyndi – nothing says I love you and welcome to Samoa as much as a nice #2 size pig – this pig is for you:

Roasted Pig in a basket woven by Junior

The three cooks - Mikey, Fono and Moi at the spit

Mikey looks on as Junior, Moi & Pesi (Bessie) turn the spit

Even the palagi gets a turn on the turn

     Junior threw the party last Saturday Feb 26; we gathered at the home of Moi and Polu which is about 3 houses down from ours at our little compound in Leone.  All the sisters, mom and various friends and children came out for the pig roast, barbeque, and potluck dinner.  Here are some photos of the event:

Fua with ex-marine Morgan - opening our coconuts

Fua,, Cyndi and Junior

We had a DJ!  Meet Lloyd and his son, LJ

ASPD contingent - Kelly, Cyndi, Rick and Ruth

Hello from the peanut gallery - some of the younger set here

Ruth, Moi, Elaine, Morgan Lily, Fua, Cyndi & Junior

   We were shown the Samoan way to make disposable plates – Junior weaved a basket for the pig from a palm frond, and we were given plates woven from palm leaves – you take a section of 6 leaves, bend it around, weave the fronds together, add a section of banana leaf, and presto! in a couple minutes you have a plate to hold all the food you can take:

Junior weaves the pig basket - about  minutes!

Plate, fa'a Samoa, shown by Fua

Add banana leaf and you're ready for anything

Lily, expert mat weaver, helps out

      There is a method to the system; the little kids eat first, followed by the adults; the older kids help serve and watch the food; then afterwards it’s their turn to serve themselves.  Photos of the dinner:

Junior welcomes Cyndi to Samoa

Rick & Cyndi's places set fa'a Samoa

Elaine and Enosia serve

    After dinner, talk and laughter there was swimming.  The swim hole right by our place was put to use for cooling off towards evening:

Junior about to jump in - again!

Togiasala (cook Mikey's wife) and children

Angeline jumping into the waves

Junior in the water

Kids and more, in the tidal pool

Fua falling in; Lily & Elaine enjoy the sight

     We showed pictures of our home, covered with snow and icicles, our dogs, and of Minnesota sights to kids and adults who had never seen, and likely won’t, anything like that.  Finally, a truly impressive Samoan sunset ended a most enjoyable day with our new friends – and our Samoan family:

Sunset through the rain squall

       Next (probably) My Town, or maybe Airport Beach, or Churches, or Sliding Rocks.  It's so hard to pick!