Vaiola Cultural Day

Culture Day Aug 30^th and 31^st.

Just before the 2 week term break the Primary School and the High School had a culture day. We were honored guests with leis made by the children and set at special tables. They brought us food and danced for us. The schools were divided into houses or groups and everyone from each house had matching lava lavas. The Primary school cultural day was on Aug. 30^th.   

 The year 1 students (Kindergarten age) did the cutest dance and then all the children did dances and wore special costumes that must have special meaning. They also made baskets from the coconut leaves and showed off their skills of weaving, dancing and singing. At the end of the event they had us go out and dance with the students. The grandmas were really funny and started dancing and making all kinds of noise. It was a real cultural experience. 

Basket Weaving Winner

Coconut drink presented to us

Cultural Dress for Special Ceremonies

               

For the High School Cultural Day, the Assistant Principal took me down to a local seamstress and helped me pick out material to have a Poletussi made. ( Pronounced pole ay tussee -a traditional dress for Samoans) and Elder Budgett (Jim-Dad) bought a lava lava to wear. 

This one didn't get to wee wee wee all the way home!!!

The high School event started with each house presenting a play or drama and then they did some traditional dancing and singing. Near the end of the event, each house brought us lunch.

Squeezing grated coconut to
get coconut milk.


                               Kava Ceremony

Warrior Drama

Legend Drama

                       

  
     

    

Missionaries to the Islands Drama

Nui  (young coconut full of milk and soft flesh)

Feeding everyone

Can you find the fish head?

The students had been up all night cooking pigs, chickens, taro etc. The picture will show you the food we were presented. Words and pictures cannot describe the smells and taste of the food. The fish eyes just kept staring at me. It was wonderful experience to watch the children perform and be so proud of their heritage. We had a wonderful 2 days!!!

 Tofa Soifua from Samoa.   We love you all and miss you lots.  Stay tuned for another episode.  Mom & Dad, Sister and Elder Budgett, Cherri and Jim, Grandpa and Grandma.