Coming of Age in Samoa/Glossary

by Margaret Mead

GLOSSARY OF NATIVE TERMS USED IN THE TEXT

Aumaga ('aumāga)—the organisation of untitled men in each Samoan village.

Aualuma—the organisation of unmarried girls past puberty, wives of untitled men and widows.

Afafine daughter (man speaking).

Aiga—relative.

Atali'i—son (man speaking).

Avaga—elopement.

 

Fa'alupega—the courtesy phrases, recited in formal speeches, which embody the social pattern of each village.

Fale—house.

Faletua—"she who sits in the back of the house." The courtesy term for a chief's wife.

Fono—a meeting. Specifically the organisation of titled men of a village, district or island.

Fitafita—a member of the native marine corps.

 

Ifo—to lower oneself to some one whom one has offended or injured.

Ifoga—the act of doing so.

 

Lavalava—a loin cloth, fastened by a twist in the material at the waist.

Lole—a sort of jelly fish; applied by the natives to candy.

 

Malaga—a travelling party; a journey.

Manaia—the heir-apparent of the principal chief; the leader of the Aumāga; the heir of any important chief whose title carries the privilege of giving a manaia title to his heir.

Matai—the holder of a title; the head of a household.

Moetotolo—surreptitious rape.

Moni—true, real.

Musu—unwillingness, obstinacy towards any course of action.

 

Olomatua—old woman.

 

Papalagi—white men; literally, "sky bursters." Foreign.

Pua—the frangipani tree.

 

Soa—a companion in circumcision; an ambassador in love affairs.

Soafafine—a woman ambassador in love affairs.

Siva—to dance; a dance.

 

Tama—a child, a son (woman speaking).

Tamā—father.

Tamafafine—a child of the distaff side of the house.

Tamatane—a child of the male line.

Tapa—bark cloth.

Taule'ale'a—a member of the Aumaga; an untitled man.

Taupo—the village ceremonial hostess; the girl whom a high chief has honoured with a title and a distribution of property.

Tausi—the courtesy term for the wife of a talking chief, literally, "to care for."

Tei—a younger sibling.

Teine—a girl.

Teinetiti—a little girl.

Tinā—mother.

Toa'ina—an old man,

Tafafine—female sibling of a male.

Tuagane—male sibling of a female.

Tulafale—a talking chief.

 

Uso—sibling of the same sex.

 

NOTE ON THE PRONUNCIATION OF SAMOAN WORDS

The vowels are all pronounced as in Italian.

G is always pronounced like NG.

The Glottal stop is indicated by a (').

 

THE END