Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa
Celebrating the Samoan language with an evening event to see collections, including letters detailing the 1st and 2nd Civil War, images of the Mau Movement protests and a copy of the Constitution signed by Tupua Tamasese Mea’ole and Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Celebrating Samoa Language Week
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, Samoa Language Week is celebrated annually here in Aotearoa New Zealand usually during the week commemorating Samoa Independence Day on 1st June. This year, the week began on Sunday 28 May and the theme was ‘Mitamita i lau gagana, maua‘a lou fa‘asinomaga’ which means, ‘Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity’.
You can find more information on the week and its events around Aotearoa on the Ministry of Pacific Peoples website.
Ina, Natalia and Kris attended the Samoa Language Week event at the Library. Photo by Taputukura Raea.
‘Mitamita i lau gagana, maua‘a lou fa‘asinomaga’
One way of being grounded in your identity is knowing where you come from, knowing the stories of your ancestors and the history of your country/whenua/fanua. The Library holds over 12,000 Samoa collections, ranging from photographs, books, family records, maps, and newspapers. We have always wanted to showcase these collection items to the community but did not have the opportunity to do so, especially when COVID-19 and its restrictions came around.
We thought this year we must do something especially now COVID-19 restrictions have eased. It was important to us to share some of the vast number of the measina/taonga in the collections with the community so that they know the Library exists and houses these precious items.
We wanted members of the community to come on-site. This was so that they could see and feel the items physically. We also wanted them to experience our space so that they feel confident visiting us again in their own time. It was agreed that we would host a gathering to celebrate Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa on Thursday 1 June (which is also Independence Day). The evening would be centered around the viewing of collection items.
Pastor Max Faletutulu with his wife Sharon, attending the Library's Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, Samoa Language Week event. Photo by Suliana Vea.
I was joined by Ulu Afaese and Taputukura Raea who introduced the participants to the Digital Pasifik website. The Digital Pasifik website, launched in 2020, aims to make visible and accessible the digitised cultural heritage of the Pacific for the people in and of the Pacific.
The evening began with a prayer by Pastor Max Faletutulu before commencing with the viewing of collections. Our visitors were so engrossed in their viewing that we eventually had to bring things to a close and conclude with a cup of tea before heading home.
We had a great time engaging with our guests and talking about how they could come and see these items again and also bring parents and other family members along.
Fa’afetai tele lava to our amazing event staff for helping to make this evening a success. It would not have been possible without you!
Measina — choosing what to share
When it came time to choose the collection items to showcase for the event, we wanted to find items not only written in gagana Samoa but also ones that painted a picture of Samoa’s political history in the lead-up to independence.
Items we displayed varied from letters detailing the First and Second Civil War, to images of the Mau Movement protesting against the New Zealand administration, to a bound copy of the Constitution with signatures from the Heads of State, Tupua Tamasese Mea’ole and Malietoa Tanumafili II.
A copy of 'O le Fa'avae o le Malo Tuto'atasi o Samoa i Sisifo' or 'The Constitution of the Independent State of Western Samoa' belonging to Mrs J Doornbos, a stenographer at the Constitutional Converntion of Western Samoa. Also includes original signatures of Tupua Tamasese, Malietoa Tanu[mafili] II, Tuimaleali'ifano S[uatipatipa] II Tama Aiga. Ref: MSY-8212. Alexander Turnbull Library.
We also showcased items relating to religion and pop culture, and these ranged from O Le Sulu Samoa newsletters printed by the London Missionary Society, to a printed and signed script for the film Sons for The Return Home based on the novel by Albert Wendt. The items chosen represented the wide range of material held in the collections and were received positively by the attendees from the community.
Postcards from the collection of Vaughan Hunt. Ref: MS-Papers-6752. Alexander Turnbull Library.
Comments from the community
Below we've shared some of the awesome feedback that we received about this event.
Arleen
Thank you so much for hosting such a special evening. Opening our eyes to what information and gems are available to see.
My parents and I had a wonderful time and have shared with our loved ones that they can access our history. — Arleen
Arleen with her parents. Photo by Taputukura Raea.
Fuatino daughter of Galumalemana Iere Leaupepetele
Seeing all of those artifacts in one place was amazing and we could have easily spent a whole day looking at everything. It has definitely sparked a curiosity in us and we would love to come back with dad to look at more of the collections in the future.
We appreciate the hard work that went into putting this together and look forward to attending more events (hopefully there will be more!) — Fuatino daughter of Galumalemana Iere Leaupepetele
Galumalemana Iere Leaupepetele conversing with Pastor Max Faletutulu and his wife Sharon. Photo by Taputukura Raea.
Lagi
The event was really timely given it was Samoan Language Week. The National Library staff did a great job in making available all of the Samoan content they have in the library for us Samoans (and other interested islanders) to come and view. It was a privileged experience and somewhat nostalgic going through historical content including photos. — Lagi
Lagi with husband Su’e and her little brother. Photo by Suliana Vea.
Silvia
Thoroughly enjoyed being in the Alexander Turnbull space and seeing a glimpse of the islander treasures held within ATL.
My highlight was accessing the genealogy books Tusi Fa’alupega on village proper names and terms. Also seeing our elders eyes light up and in awe of what is held here.
Fa’afetai Suliana for allowing our people to access what they might otherwise never see. Be good to have more sessions and also more advertising to our wider community for inclusion for the up and coming events. — Silvia
Susan
I loved the Samoan collections exhibition at the National Library. I felt so proud being Samoan and seeing people that attended took the time out to appreciate our treasures.
Initially I came to have a quick visit however I ended up staying right through to end because I was wanted to go through every piece unknowingly to me, I stumbled on a document that recorded a little bit of my village back home that had me chuffed that evening.
The event also has planted a seed for me to do more research on my culture especially family history and I am stoked to know the Samoan collections are available to begin that journey. Fa’afetai tele lava to our lovely host’s Suliana, Ulu and Taputukura for an amazing event. — Susan
Jadrah
The event was awesome! It was very well run and there were so many resources available! I learned so much about Samoa’s rich history from the vast collection that was on display. From recently published books, through to newspaper clippings from the 1900’s, there was something for everyone. I would definitely recommend attending the next event like this! — Jadrah
From the right: Silvia, Susan, Jadrah and Trina. Photo by Suliana Vea.
Links to the collections we shared
Below are links to the catalogue records for just a few of the items we shared on the night. These items are not yet digitised so in order to see them you need to visit us at the Library in Wellington. Use the instructions below for ordering and requesting to view the items you are interested in.
If you ever have questions about the collections, our services or our events you can always contact us using the Ask a librarian service.
Manuscripts
The Constitution of the Independent State of Western Samoa, 1960 (MSY-8212)
Papers collected by John Klein relating to Samoan Civil War, 1889 (fMS-Papers-12538)
Account of the Battle of Vailele, Samoa, 1899 (MS-Papers-2504)
Robert Louis Stevenson: Papers, 1850-1894 (MS-Papers-0837/2)
Photographs
Photographs depicting people signing The Constitution of the Independent State of Western Samoa, 1960 (PAColl-10484)
Gleeson, Francis Joseph 1908-1993: Album of photographs of the Mau uprising, Western Samoa, 1930 (PA1-o-795)
Jowitt, Glenn, 1955-2014: Photographs of Polynesia (PAColl-0198)
Maps
Land ownership and land use, Upolu Island, Western Samoa [ms map] [19--?] (MapColl-945.3gbbd)
Books
An account of the movement of British and US troops against Samoan ‘rebels’ from Apia to Vailele on 1 April 1899. As told by a guide attached to the expedition. Also included is a multicolour plan of the engagement made by Norman H MacDonald, surveyor, on 2 April 1899. Ref: MS-Papers-2504. Alexander Turnbull Library.
Interested in seeing what we have
If you missed out on attending this event, you can still view these items by coming to the Library during our reading room opening hours.
Before you visit have a look at the website and search to see if there are things you are interested in having a look at when you are here. Because we are a research library most of the collections are kept safe in storage, but they can be retrieved at your request.
You need to be registered with us to request items. If you request items to view they will be delivered to you in the reading rooms for you to look at. Items are delivered at set times during the day. Bring some photo ID when you visit the Library to confirm your registration.
If it is your first time using our services or visiting the Library, you might like to read the Making the most of your visit information. You can also send us a query before you come by using our Ask a librarian service or giving us a ring on 0800 474 300.
Searching for collection items
If you would like to see what items we have in our collections, you can begin with a keyword search on our website.
Most of our collections are not yet digitised but there are many digitised items available. To view these, use the Gallery tab at the top of the search results page. For viewing non-digitised items you will need to be registered so you can request these for viewing in person when you visit us at the Library in Wellington.
If you would like in-person assistance with this and you live locally you are always welcome to visit us during our reading room opening hours and get help from one of our friendly staff members.
Don't forget to keep up to date with all future Library events or sign up for our newsletter.
Booklets and pamphlets relating to Samoa. Convention between the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States of America for the adjustment of Questions relating to Samoa, 1899; ‘Constitution of the Samoan Church (LMS)’, 1942; and ‘Samoa's problems. A series of reports compiled by a citizen's committee in view of the forthcoming visit of the New Zealand Parliamentary Party’, 1920. Ref: MS-Papers-4879-123. Alexander Turnbull Library.
Fa‘afetai | Thank you
Fa'afetai | thank you to all our guests for coming to the Library and engaging with these precious collections and measina. We look forward to hosting you on your next visit to the Library.
Further Pacific resources
Pasifika guide — Research guide
Pasifika Family History guide — Research guide
Early printing in the Pacific Islands — Recording of a Turnbull Library talk with Suliana Vea and others.
Digital Pasifik website — explore, discover and view thousands of items held in museums, libraries, galleries, and collections around the world.
This blog was written by Ulu Afaese, Content Analyst with Digital Pasifik and Suliana Vea, Research Librarian, Pacific, at the Alexander Turnbull Library.