Fāgogo
An oral story account told at night
that Samoan children looked
forward to after
the day’s chores.
Mostly told by older women, the accounts introduced and reinforced key moral principles, lessons, history, and song.
Aue!
A signal to the narrator of your appreciation, also a sign that you are awake and listening.
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The Origin Story of the Tuiga
There was once a taupou named Vītaliutaolepaepae, the daughter of orator chief ‘Ulu who lived in Puipa‘a village, Faleata district, ‘Upolu island. Vī was renowned throughout the islands for her beauty -- especially her wavy, brown hair -- of which she was extremely proud and boastful.
Her pretty friends (also the daughters of chiefs) were just as conceited and self-centered, and they relentlessly teased all the other girls in the village.