Talofa bloggers, today I will be talking you about the Samoan culture when someone has passed.
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Im Samoan and in my culture we have loads of family gatherings and ceremonies where we have to give in money. Also in my culture we have something called a matai which is something that any person older than 21 can get. It is basically a chief name for your family and it is a big step to take into consideration. This chief name does not mean you’re in charge of everything, it’s just a name that is given when people think you’re capable of having one. This is also another thing that is to be talked about when a person with a matai has passed. They can pass it onto another member in the family. Samoan funerals are filled with music, non stop talking, dances and many other things.
When it comes to deaths, it’s a big thing. In my culture, when there’s a death, a lot of my families from around the world come down to help out. Another thing that is also very important to the Samoan funerals is money. Money is also one thing that they worry about when it comes to a funeral as it is not cheap. A lot happens when it is the end of someone’s life. Pastors come and go. In a way of giving back, my family cooked food for people that came and visited and gave in money for the funeral. Handing out food was a way of giving back to them. Everyone has to participate ( including the kids ). Respect is a big thing in the Samoan culture.
Some important things that occur when someone’s life comes to an end, something that is important to their culture is communication, connecting with one another and spiritual ties. Giving back is also another thing that is very important. When someone comes to visit and give money, a way we can give back is food. Respect is also another very important thing to the samoan culture.
Within my culture, something I think is important for others to know is that, at samoan funerals there is lots of singing, non stop talking, dances and many more. There might be a specific dress code as well for samoan funerals, most likely not but there may be. Another thing that is important to know is that church is a very important thing in samoan culture. For some people, god is their number one priority.
There are a number of strategies that can help people cope with the loss of someone they really love and adore. Some of these strategies can be reaching out for support from friends, family, professionals, groups and many more. Another one can be self care. Sleeping, walking and just staying active can help you avoid major decisions until you’re ready to be outgoing again. These strategies can help with your hauora by helping you stay physical and helping your body stay active. It can also help your social well being by staying connected with others and communicating to others about things you don’t talk about.