Commonwealth Youth ForumCulture
Home Our latest stories ArtCultureFestivals and TraditionsYouth Networks Celebrating a Common-Wealth of Cultures

Celebrating a Common-Wealth of Cultures

December 11th, 2024

by Jasmine Koria

Photo credit: Samoan National Delegate Mrs. Tupe Feata Roberts 

This year’s Commonwealth Youth Forum in Apia, Samoa had a uniquely Pasifika atmosphere. From its Moana and environment-themed joint opening ceremony with the People’s and Women’s Forums, to the youth choral rendition of the Commonwealth Music Relay’s “Symphony”, Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) 2024 brought Oceania’s cultural heritage to the forefront of this global quorum.

As a member of the Commonwealth Youth Forum International Taskforce, I had the privilege of participating in what is now remembered as the first ever taualuga –– Samoan Ceremonial Closing Dance — to end a Commonwealth Youth Forum.

In the hours preceding the dance, we as local Taskforce members thought deeply about the impending significance of this: closing a major international English-speaking event with a very traditional Samoan ritual. Most important Samoan events end with a taualuga: it has great cultural, social, historical, spiritual and even economic significance.

Typically, the dance is either led by the child of an indigenous Samoan chief, by a chief, or by a guest of honour. When, for example, a Samoan celebrates their 21st birthday or their university graduation, they are often invited to lead a taualuga whilst friends and family dance around them in celebratory support. It is a beautiful, communal ceremony. It is also seen as a rite of completion for an important event. Without a taualuga, there is often the feeling that the meeting, party or conference is “not properly finished.”

As the final day of the forum drew to a close, there was an unspoken agreement, I remember, amongst us as Samoan and Pasifika representatives. We knew we would bring our people with us into our Closing Ceremony by honoring the traditions of the land upon which this forum was taking place. As members of the vast Commonwealth association, most Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) are still navigating the delicate space between the  revival and maintenance of their indigenous customs, and the necessary adaptation to an increasingly and permanently globalized world. Samoa is no exception. We are the first Commonwealth PSIDS, and first PSIDS in history to regain independence. Our continued membership in the Commonwealth means that we now have the great privilege of access to a wonderful international network, but also of being able to thrive as autonomous indigenous people on our own land. With every international forum we host, and every global association we join, we are learning what this means for us.

When all the major formalities were completed, our International Taskforce Co-Chair Va’agi Kevin Lucky gave a brief overview of the taualuga. Because we were honored at our forum with the constant presence and participation of the Rt. Honorable Patricia Scotland, KC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Va’agi extended to her the very Samoan invitation to lead the taualuga as our guest of honor. This, she most graciously accepted.

We danced to the historic and beloved tune of ‘Tama Samoa’- the ode to one of our national icons, our rugby union team Manu Samoa. The song was made world famous in the 1990s by well-known Samoan musician Felise Mikaele and his band. As we moved across the stage to the beat and melody of a song we’d all heard many times, there was a special surrealness in the air. We all heard the famous song lyrics for the hundredth time, but also, in a new light, for the first time. Joined onstage by the Honorable Minister of Women, Community and Social Development, Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o, and inspired by the Rt. Honorable Patricia Scotland’s confidence to lead her first taualuga (as well as her beautiful dancing skills!), we paid homage to the spirit of Oceania. A spirit which, in a marvelous twist of irony, is reflected in the opening verse of ‘Tama Samoa’:

O si o ta atunu’u

E leiloa i le fa’afanua

A ‘o lau ta’alo

Ua iloa ai taua!

Our country is so small

It cannot be seen on the map

But because of what you have achieved

Everyone knows

Who we are.

Share

About the author

Jasmine Koria

Jasmine Koria has a keen interest in youth work and community development. She has served as an educator, educational administrator and educational consultant for several years. She is also a published writer. Aside from teaching and writing, Jasmine enjoys serving Samoa and the Pacific in various international spaces and diplomatic capacities. Her ambitions include helping to raise literacy levels in the developing Pacific and strengthening the relationships between Commonwealth countries.

Related articles

CultureEditor's PickMental Health
CultureHistory
Culture
View all

Submit your content

Submit a video
 Submit an article

by Jasmine Koria

Photo credit: Samoan National Delegate Mrs. Tupe Feata Roberts 

This year’s Commonwealth Youth Forum in Apia, Samoa had a uniquely Pasifika atmosphere. From its Moana and environment-themed joint opening ceremony with the People’s and Women’s Forums, to the youth choral rendition of the Commonwealth Music Relay’s “Symphony”, Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) 2024 brought Oceania’s cultural heritage to the forefront of this global quorum.

As a member of the Commonwealth Youth Forum International Taskforce, I had the privilege of participating in what is now remembered as the first ever taualuga –– Samoan Ceremonial Closing Dance — to end a Commonwealth Youth Forum.

In the hours preceding the dance, we as local Taskforce members thought deeply about the impending significance of this: closing a major international English-speaking event with a very traditional Samoan ritual. Most important Samoan events end with a taualuga: it has great cultural, social, historical, spiritual and even economic significance.

Typically, the dance is either led by the child of an indigenous Samoan chief, by a chief, or by a guest of honour. When, for example, a Samoan celebrates their 21st birthday or their university graduation, they are often invited to lead a taualuga whilst friends and family dance around them in celebratory support. It is a beautiful, communal ceremony. It is also seen as a rite of completion for an important event. Without a taualuga, there is often the feeling that the meeting, party or conference is “not properly finished.”

As the final day of the forum drew to a close, there was an unspoken agreement, I remember, amongst us as Samoan and Pasifika representatives. We knew we would bring our people with us into our Closing Ceremony by honoring the traditions of the land upon which this forum was taking place. As members of the vast Commonwealth association, most Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) are still navigating the delicate space between the  revival and maintenance of their indigenous customs, and the necessary adaptation to an increasingly and permanently globalized world. Samoa is no exception. We are the first Commonwealth PSIDS, and first PSIDS in history to regain independence. Our continued membership in the Commonwealth means that we now have the great privilege of access to a wonderful international network, but also of being able to thrive as autonomous indigenous people on our own land. With every international forum we host, and every global association we join, we are learning what this means for us.

When all the major formalities were completed, our International Taskforce Co-Chair Va’agi Kevin Lucky gave a brief overview of the taualuga. Because we were honored at our forum with the constant presence and participation of the Rt. Honorable Patricia Scotland, KC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Va’agi extended to her the very Samoan invitation to lead the taualuga as our guest of honor. This, she most graciously accepted.

We danced to the historic and beloved tune of ‘Tama Samoa’- the ode to one of our national icons, our rugby union team Manu Samoa. The song was made world famous in the 1990s by well-known Samoan musician Felise Mikaele and his band. As we moved across the stage to the beat and melody of a song we’d all heard many times, there was a special surrealness in the air. We all heard the famous song lyrics for the hundredth time, but also, in a new light, for the first time. Joined onstage by the Honorable Minister of Women, Community and Social Development, Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o, and inspired by the Rt. Honorable Patricia Scotland’s confidence to lead her first taualuga (as well as her beautiful dancing skills!), we paid homage to the spirit of Oceania. A spirit which, in a marvelous twist of irony, is reflected in the opening verse of ‘Tama Samoa’:

O si o ta atunu’u

E leiloa i le fa’afanua

A ‘o lau ta’alo

Ua iloa ai taua!

Our country is so small

It cannot be seen on the map

But because of what you have achieved

Everyone knows

Who we are.

Post Views: 32

Begin your search here