tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11176900.post6548347831405971401..comments2023-11-06T01:43:09.674+13:00Comments on Matt's Samoa Blog: Mission and DiplomacyMatthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655804806593732227noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11176900.post-28333019444408942602010-10-31T03:33:04.526-10:002010-10-31T03:33:04.526-10:00Totally agree with you Matt. This missionary...Totally agree with you Matt. This missionary ideology is completely endemic in Samoan culture that Samoan orators refer to the time before Christianity as "pouliuli" (dark night). <br /><br />However, Samoa is a land of contradictions. Samoans all profess their faith in Christianity but they are also quiet believers in spirits and ghosts and other supernatural phenomena.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11176900.post-90028830385827680272009-07-05T16:42:01.421-11:002009-07-05T16:42:01.421-11:00Matt, your students are only retelling what they a...Matt, your students are only retelling what they are being preached at. That is a common and sad belief held by many.<br />I hear stories of the earlier faifeaus who were grateful for any accomodation given. Not like the current yearly gift giving that is now the norm. The current Head of States wrote an amazing paper about Faa'alavelave in Samoa and how later influences have become the norm and how this needs to be addressed.<br />All we can do is keep at our young about being proud of who they are and of being proud of their earlier history. Including an earlier faith belief before the tiome of the missionaries.<br />Malo le galue.<br />I am happy to hear your heart talk about our people.<br />Soifua<br />SonyaSonyahttp://www.ulimasao.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com