Something that all Samoans (and maybe even Pacific Islanders in general) have in common are 'fa'alavelaves'. They constantly come up throughout our lifetime that it has become part of our culture. It never ends, its just one after another after another.....after another. It even follows us to our grave because our own death will become a 'fa'alavelave' to someone else. Why do we have them and why is it commonly known as a bad thing? I don't actually know what the proper english translation for fa'alavelave is but my personal definiton of 'fa'alavelave' is troubles, family events/occasions, church events....basically anything that involves money, and alot of it! Things such as weddings, funerals, 21st (or other milestone) birthdays, 'churchy' or village commitments, and any other fundraising events - these are all classified as 'fa'alavelaves' to a typical samoan person. As you can see, some of the above are not all bad such as birthdays and weddings, aren't they suppose to be a time for celebration? It all comes back to one of our limited means - MONEY.
Whenever someone goes to Samoa, people always ask you: "What brings you here? Are you here for a fa'alavelave or to kafao?". There is a funny (yet mostly true) saying that goes "Palagis go to Samoa for a break but Samoans go to Samoa to get broke". Whenever I fill out that green customs arrival card, I always tick the "visting family/friends" box as the reason for my trip. However, I think they should add a "fa'alavelave" box as well. I am still dreaming of that day when I can finally tick the "tourist" box instead. Is it even possible for a Samoan born person to be a tourist in Samoa? Answer is - yes....but after winning the Lotto of course. (Still waiting for God to provide me with those lucky numbers).
Anyways back to this Samoan "F" word that we all dread or try to avoid. I think we as a culture have become so use to having fa'alavelaves that we have adapted it as part of being....well a Samoan. One of the positive things about fa'alavelave is that it brings people together - whether to grief or to celebrate, it gives you the opportunity to meet an extended family member or family/friends that you haven't seen in a long time. Regardless of what the atmosphere is; there is always a sense of family unity or reunion created at 'fa'alavelaves'. Could this Samoan "F" word ever be a good thing? Who knows, but one thing is true...
"No matter where you go, or how far you go.....fa'alavelaves will always follow."
Oh well, that is part of life.
