Fa'agogo
Encyclopedia
Fāgogo is a word in the Samoan language
to describe a type of storytelling of the Samoa Islands. It is called "a performing art, almost a type of theatre, where people, events and stories are brought to life through the skills, voice and action of a narrator". There are several collections of Samoan fāgogo, the most notable being those collected by Augustin Kramer, Brother Herman, and Richard Moyle.
Samoan fagogo has also influenced the writings of contemporary Samoan writers like Sia Figiel
.
Fāgogo stories often tell of the lives of archetypal figures like Sina in the legend Sina and the Eel
, Tinilau
, and a legendary Tuimanu'a (as different from the historical Tui Manu'a). The story of Sina and the Eel (Sina ma le Tuna) is associated with the Mata o le Alelo
pool in the village of Matavai, on the north coast of Savai'i
, in Sāmoa
.
Samoan language
Samoan Samoan Samoan (Gagana Sāmoa, is the language of the Samoan Islands, comprising the independent country of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa. It is an official language—alongside English—in both jurisdictions. Samoan, a Polynesian language, is the first language for most...
to describe a type of storytelling of the Samoa Islands. It is called "a performing art, almost a type of theatre, where people, events and stories are brought to life through the skills, voice and action of a narrator". There are several collections of Samoan fāgogo, the most notable being those collected by Augustin Kramer, Brother Herman, and Richard Moyle.
Samoan fagogo has also influenced the writings of contemporary Samoan writers like Sia Figiel
Sia Figiel
Sia Figiel is a contemporary Samoan novelist, poet, and painter.Sia Figiel grew up amidst the traditional Samoan singing and poetry which heavily influenced her writing. Her formal schooling was conducted in Samoa and New Zealand where she also began a BA which was completed at Whitworth College...
.
Fāgogo stories often tell of the lives of archetypal figures like Sina in the legend Sina and the Eel
Sina and the Eel
Sina and the Eel is a myth of origins in Samoan mythology which explains the origins of the first coconut tree.In the Samoan language the legend is called Sina ma le Tuna. Tuna is the Samoan word for 'eel'....
, Tinilau
Tinilau
In the Polynesian mythology of Samoa, stories about Tinilau and his wife Sina are very popular. There are numerous legends, and much variation in the tellings . Here are some examples:...
, and a legendary Tuimanu'a (as different from the historical Tui Manu'a). The story of Sina and the Eel (Sina ma le Tuna) is associated with the Mata o le Alelo
Mata o le Alelo
Mata o le Alelo is a village pool in Samoa associated with the Polynesian legend Sina and the Eel.Mata o le Alelo is in the small village of Matavai, in the village district Safune on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa....
pool in the village of Matavai, on the north coast of Savai'i
Savai'i
Savaii is the largest and highest island in Samoa and the Samoa Islands chain. It is also the biggest landmass in Polynesia outside Hawaii and New Zealand. The island of Savai'i is also referred to by Samoans as Salafai, a classical Samoan term used in oratory and prose...
, in Sāmoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
.