Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 2, 1 Kepakemapa 1981 — The ʻAva and the Faʻa Samoa [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The ʻAva and the Faʻa Samoa

(The 'Ava Ceremony and the Samoan Way)

by Chief Le'iataua Amituana 'i Vaiao J. Alailima

The 'ava is a ceremony that Samoan matais (chiefs) perform before any important meeting. Depending on the subject of the meeting mo e+a+iie r\r tno

title-holders present, the formality of the 'ava presentation varies accordingly. The royal 'ava ceremony performed recently at the Polynesian Cultural Center when Malietoa Tanumafili II, head of Western Samoa, visited Hawaii is the most sacred and formal. The eommon elements of that ceremony with all royal 'ava ceremonies are: 1) It was held outdoors. 2) The 'ava was mixed by

a person who holds a princely title (Aioalii). 3) Armed warriors stood guard. 4) The bowl, eup, bast, and water needed to mix the 'avas were brought in one by one and formally announced. 5) The whole 'ava bush ('ava ati) was presented. 6) The king got his eup before the 'ava was declared open to the others and hand clapping took plaee. 7) One bearer filled the eup at the bowl and poured it into the eup of a second bearer who served the king. 8) The malae (field) was kept clear of dogs, chickens, or people. Whatever or whoever crosses may have been killed. Although every 'ava ceremony has the same basic elements, every one is different depending on the occasion. For this reason the ceremony cannot be understood simply by analyzing the motions. These are often spontaneous and political. The glory of the 'ava ceremony is not in its mechanics but the func-

tions it performs. The 'ava is an opportunity for orators to demonstrate their arts. They prepare for such an occasion diligently learning and testing their skills before a critical audience. Young entitled men and women leam and perfect their skills in mixing, calling out the hierarchical order, and serving. It makes them feel that they have a vested interest in the culture. Moreover, the 'ava shows everyone, including the spectators, who is who and the respect that should be accorded to them. The 'ava eup names and ranks are reiterated for all to leam with the proper feeling of deference. Thus the ceremony and exchanges put everyone in a good mood for the meeting that will follow and they know who plays what roles and who has influence. It facilitates later political interaction. Since the titles, rankings, and

oratorica! references all spring from historical events, 'ava ceremonies provide endless opportunities to transmit the history of the island and its families. It is pleasanter to see and hear history reenacted than to read about it in books. It becomes alive in current interactions. In Samoa, therefore, 'ava ceremonies are not for entertaining tourists. Outsiders are weleome but incidental. The real purpose of the ceremony is to lift the Samoan spirit, make Samoans proud of their families, and culture, and provide them with a guide for interacting with eaeh other. Chief Le'iataua Amituana'i Vaiao J. Alailima is President of Samoa I Sisifo I Hawaii (Western Samoa in Hawaii Association). He attended Lahainaluna High School, was a Fellow at the EastWest Center, and has been actiuely inuolued in Samoan Affairs both in Hawaii and Samoa.