Publisher Description

Aimed at readers 8+ but valuable for anyone with an interest in our Pacific 'aiga (family), this is one of two inaugural books in the Moana Oceania series created by Oratia Books' Editorial Director, Carolyn Lagahetau. Dahlia Malaeulu provides a comprehensive overview of life in Samoa for readers in New Zealand, with text in Gagana Samoa and English. Samoan children can see themselves reflected in these books, and all readers can learn about the islands' culture, language, daily life, history, environment and sport. Moana Oceania: Samoa explains the fundamental values of Fa'asamoa (Samoan life), including connection to 'aiga (family), nu'u (village), land and religion. It shows how families in Samoa live, how they are educated, and how they celebrate and commemorate through dance, music and festivals - while exploring how Samoans in Aotearoa maintain and adapt their culture. With colour photographs throughout, the book contains pull-out boxes of information, making the text easy to access.

Author Biography

Dahlia Malaeulu is a primary-school teacher, media force, and strong advocate across multiple platforms for youth literature. Her own publishing venture, Mila's Books, creates quality stories that reflect Pasifika children's lives. In 2020 she collected the Pacific Woman in Business accolade at the Wellington Pasifika Business Awards. Dahlia lives with her family in Wainuiomata, Wellington.

Table of Contents

Fa'asmoa -- The pillars of fa'asmoa; Food; School; Samoans in New Zealand. The discovery of Smoa -- Discoveries; Smoa and American Smoa; Samoans arriving in New Zealand; The population of Smoa; Geography and economy. Language -- The Samoan alphabet; Basic words and phrases; Numbers 110; Respectful language/T style and K style; Loanwords; Proverbs; Samoa Language Week in New Zealand. Environment -- Flora and fauna; Weather and climate; Climate change and conservation. Arts and crafts -- Samoan siva and pese; 'Ie toga; Siapo; Tatau; Carving; Literature and oratory. Celebrations and sports -- 'Ava ceremony; Teuila festival; Fiafia nights; Fa'afafine pageant; Sport; 'ANOTUSI. Fa'asmoa -- ; Pout o le fa'asmoa; Mea'ai; A'oga; Smoa o lo'o i Niu Sila. O le mauaina o Smoa -- Fa'amaumauga; Smoa I Sisifo ma Amerika Smoa; Taunu'u tagata Samoa i Niu Sila; O le faitau aofa'i o Smoa; Fa'afanua ma le tamao'iga. Gagana -- Mata'itusi o le alafapeta; Upu fa'avae ma fasi fuaitau; Numera 110; Gagana fa'aaloalo/T ma le K; Upu non; Alag'upu; Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa i Niu Sila; Si'osi'omaga -- Manu ma la'au; O le tau; Suiga o le tau ma fa'asao. Fa'atufugaga ma galuega taulima -- Siva Smoa ma pese; 'Ie toga; Siapo; Tatau; Vaneina o meataulima; Lomiga ma lauga. Fa'afiafiaga ma ta'aloga -- Sauniga o le 'ava; Fiafia o le Teuila; Po fiafia; Tauvga a fa'affine; Ta'aloga.

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