Tu’u’u Apulu Uta’ile’uo Mary Autagavaia teaches her granddaughter, Tesia how to perform the Vala'au i le Laulau which is the calling of guests to the table to enjoy a meal. The Vala'au i le laulau is something that started since urbanization out of the villages where people acquired laulau Palagi (European dinner tables) to eat at. In a village setting, guests arrive and sit on the floor. There are 3 main parts to the vala'au: 1) Young person excusing themselves for speaking out of turn as a tautua (cook/help) and interrupting the conversations 2) Acknowledging the honourifics of those present in the lounge 3) An invitation to come to the table to eat. Ia manuia le vaiaso o le gagana Samoa - Happy Samoan Language Week! For more information on all things home safety please check out 🔗 https://starship.org.nz/safekids/

The Toa Samoa siva tau has been under the spotlight with the team making their way through the 2021 Rugby League World Cup and all the way to a historic Grand Final.    You will have seen the boys in blue leading the way for Samoa with the legendary ‘Siva Tau’ inspiring children and adults in Samoa and around the world to perform it. Former Toa Samoa, NRL and Super league star Ali Lauitiiti breaks down the different parts in the Siva Tau along with the words and meaning with help from some of the Mini Toa kids in Auckland. Learn and then practise along with Ali and the Mini Toa squad. {{30939}} -  LYRICS with translation below  Captain:  Mili mili mili mili mili mili  ... Patia!  Patia!   Lua pati, tolu tolu fa!   Tagi o le Tiger Team:  Raaaaaa Captain:  Tagi o le Buffalo  Team:  Oooooo -  Captain:  Samoa!  Sauni!  (Samoa!  Get Ready!)  Tatou ō tatou tau!  (Lets go to war!) Tau ia matua tau!  (Fight to the end!) Ia fai ia mafai!  (Do it with all your might)  Matou te toa le aso vale!  (We are conquerors on days of trouble!) Team:  Le uso o aso uma!  (We are brothers always!)  Sau! Sau!  (Come!  Come!) -  Captain:  Samoa! Team:  Aua! (Don't!) Captain:  Aua le a?  (Don't what?)  Team:  Aua le fefe!  (Don’t be afraid!) - Captain:  Aue!  Aue!   Team:  Isa!  (Repeat)  -  Captain:  Samoa!  O ai le Toa?  (Samoa!  who’s the brave warrior?) Team:  O ai le Toa, O ai le Toa?  (Who’s the brave Warrior?  Who's the brave warrior?  Samoa!) Captain:  Samoa!  Tatau tau!  (Samoa lets fight now!)  Team:  Tau tau tau matua tau!  (Lets fight and keep fighting!)  Captain:  Toe tau!  (Fight again) Team:  Tau tau tau matua tau!  (Lets fight and keep fighting!) Captain:  Sauia!  (Come now!) - All together:    E fa’atafa ma e soso ese!  Leaga lenei toa e uiga ese!  (Step aside because the mighty warriors are marching through)  Toa Samoa, Toa Samoa, Toa Samoa e o mai Samoa – TOA!  (Samoan Warriors ... are from Samoa ... BRAVE/WARRIOR!)  {{30940}}

Tu'u'u Apulu Mary Autagavaia & grandson Fili Setima teach us how to serve the ipu tī (cup of tea) and also the apa fafano (finger bowl). They also have some simple tips on how to do these feau (chores) safely so as to avoid burns and trips. For more information on all things home safety check out the Starship website https://starship.org.nz/safekids

In Samoan culture, the presentation of the 'Sua' is the hosts family's way of showing appreciation to all the families who have spared their time to come to a funeral, wedding or birthday. Before the ceremony takes place, families will show their support to the family of the bride or groom in the event of a wedding or to the deceased person in the event of a funeral by bringing ie toga or money.  This is called a si'i alofa. Find out when the 'Sua' from the host family is given in different circumstances, who the sua is presented to and the 5 different components of the Sua. In this video Destiny and Sapati learn how to present the Sua from our Samoan cultural advisor Yvonne Maea-Brown

The Samoan Fine Mat (or Ie Toga) was the original Pacific currency. In Samoa today it is mainly used for special occasions - the finer the mat the better the skill! Our expert Yvonne Maea-Brown teaches Destiny and Pati how to present and fold the ie toga as part of a Samoan custom known as the si'i alofa - a show of support from one family to another at important events and gatherings.

Learn how to cook this delicious Island staple food that is loved all over the Pacific! Green banans in coconut cream are a great side dish to eat sapasui (chop suey) or raw fish with, so check out our Coconet recipes for these popular dishes. There are many ways of cooking green bananas but you need to know the right timings and ratios of coconut cream to get that perfect fa'alifu goodness! 

Young Sefa shows us his poetic skills for Samoan Language Week, teaching us the Pi Tautau!

Maryjane and her daughters Moemoana & Moeatalagi teach us this Siva Tatau which tells the journey of the 2 sisters Taema & Tilafaiga bringing tattooing or the tatau to Samoa. The song is called 'Le Mafua'aga' sung by the Golden Ali'is and the choreography was created by Maryjane and her husband Frederick in 2013. Learn the choreography with Maryjane and the girls here.

Former Miss Samoa and Miss South Pacific MaryJane Schwenke and her daughters Moemoana and Moeatalagi share some background on the special dance that MaryJane performed as her talent when she won the Miss Samoa title in 1997. The dance is called 'Ufi le manu ua gase' which is about Samoa's national bird the treasured Manumea which is in danger of becoming extinct. Here they teach the movement and choreography so you can dance it yourself.

Samoan siva has variation of styles, this dance is a Maulu'ulu style dance rather than a Taualuga (solo performance dance). Although, you can use some of these movements in a Taualuga. Maulu'ulu style siva interprets or illustrates the poetry of the song: dancing to the lyrics. Maulu'ulu can be performed by both men and women. With Taualuga, often the dancer (traditionally the Manaia or Taupou) dances from his/her soul and not so much to the lyrics, his/her movements are improvised capturing the spirit and emotion of the moment. More formal style Siva. Samoan siva practitioners each have their own styles and interpretations based on their own experiences. Before attempting this dance, for Basic technique you can find a HOW TO SIVA SAMOA with Maryjane here on the CoconetTV. Techniques to remember and incorporate in this dance. - Se’e- slide/glide - Bending of knees: out of respect in Samoa when speaking to elders we lower ourselves, same concept for siva. In a village setting elders and chiefs often sit around the Fale, the symbolism of bending knees is to show humility and respect - to lower ones self. - Tapping of foot: try not to bounce or move hips. - Ata: smile even if the meaning is sad. . Part 2:  {{17452}} . Tagi ai le Fatu Dance Video  {{17453}}

Uber Eats makes life easier & a lot more convenient for so many around the world with their online food ordering and delivery platform. A couple of entrepreneurs in Samoa have now taken that concept to a new level with their 'Seki Eats' app where you can order meals, deals, & cashpower from anywhere in the world! 

Samoan Matai titles (suafa, literally "formal name") are bestowed upon family members during a cultural ceremony called a saofa'i . The saofa'i marks the formal acceptance of a new matai by their family and village into the circle of chiefs and orators. It involves the gathering of chiefs and orators in a fale tele meeting house, the exchanging of oratory speeches, the reciting of genealogies and an ava ceremony followed by a feast provided by the new matai's family. For many Samoans living in the diaspora this age old highly significant ceremony can be hard to follow and understand - luckily for kiwi Samoan actor Fasitua Amosa, his father Rev Asora Amosa who is bestowed a title with him, breaks down all the elements of their saofa'i for all the new generations who want to know.  Here is their story of their special day, and some of the meanings behind the ritual of a Samoan saofa'i.    

The Tutu on the Beach boys & Nua Finau join with our resident Samoan, Will Voigt to go over the Samoan and Tongan rules of engagement for a much loved Pacific Island card game - SUIPI ... It's Suipi 101!

Leota Lene Leota shows you how to Aiuli (supporting dance when a taupou or manaia dances) and also how NOT to aiuli! So you can go into your next Samoan family function with confidence.

Find the best local Samoan hot food, umu, fresh palusami and oka! Which are the best Samoan ili (fans), kilikiti bats or local salu (Samoan brooms) to buy? Find out more about local fruit and veges - what is sasalapa? who makes the best puletasi? Former Miss South Pacific, Maryjane Mckibben-Schwenke shows us whats good at the Samoan markets ...

It's one thing to marry the love of your life but if she's of Polynesian descent, not only will you marry her but you will also marry her entire family. It ain't a bad thing, it is what it is! Let the good times begin!  Here are 10 tips to marry an Island Princess - The hamo edition! 

Ever wanted to Ailao afi like the pros? Well look no further! The Ailao was originally used by warriors to show off their skill with the war-club, twirling, throwing and catching it in ceremonial displays. Check out this step-by-step guide by Pati Levasa, one of the best Ailao afi dancers in the Pacific! But be careful; kids ask your parents first! And parents - stay away from the fire!

Have you ever wondered how your Samoan mates communicate with just simple noises? like A'e, Awoi or plain old Shhht. Check out the different sounds every Samoan needs to know - from the growl to the gossip, and everything in between! So get your lips practising for the next time someone is being cheeky to you!

Check out the original Pacific currency - the Fine Mat! Like the Tongan ngatu and the Fijian kava, the Samoan Fine Mat (or Ie Toga) is mainly used for special occasions - the finer the mat the better the skill! See more on this traditional Samoan art!

Ever wanted to play the gat like your uncle's-brother's-cousin's-best-friend? Well look no more! Get the igi skills to pick like the greatest at your next social, church meeting or jam session from some of the masters!

How to Siva Samoa with Maryjane McKibbin-Schwenke It is important for a Samoan teine to learn her Siva Samoa skills, because once in your life time you will have to perform it, whether it is at a birthday, a fundraiser or a wedding, Maryjane is here to school you on steps to a fabulous Siva Samoa. 

Semisi & John presents Village tips 101 in Samoa You must always make sure you know the protocols when visiting a village in Samoa, from where to sleep to what you must take when visiting your family and friends. Here's a little guide to make your stay in a village extra special. Stay tuned for more 'Village Tips' coming soon

The Si'i Alofa, or Si'i for short, is an age-old Samoan custom of showing support from one family to another at important events and gatherings. So for those of you in the know, this is just a tester to see whether you know your way around with a ie toga (fine mat). And for those of you who aren't, take out your pen and paper and have a listen! You'll be up on the know in know time!

Imagine you’ve crashed landed in the middle of the Pacific Ocean…no rescue in sight so no hope of survival right? Wrong!   Watch as intrepid coconet.tv guide Mario Gaoa (and his hunky stunt double) teach you how to survive the toughest conditions with a little help from the humble Coconut tree.

Every Pacifican will have seen the boys in blue leading the way for Samoa with the legendary ‘Siva Tau’. Now you can learn the hot Manu Samoa action for yourself here at the cococnet.tv. Follow along and find out about the moves that have rocked crowds around the world, and invoked the mana of our Samoan fighting spirit! In tribute to the late great Papali’itele Pita Fatialofa R.I.P SUGGESTED LINKS Checkout Adeaze doing their take on a clasic Samoan song Feeling homesick? Check out our Samoa Travel tips right here Want more dance tutorials? Click here

A key part of a Samoan woman’s wardrobe is the Puletasi. A classic two piece dress worn at many occasions around the Island and the Pacific. Miss Samoa/South Pacific 2012/13 beauty queen Janine Tuivaiti shows us everything about the Puletasi from where to purchase, how to wear it and what to look for in a Puletasi. 

The staple of every Samoan diet is the humble UMU (earth oven)! Check out how you too can experience tender taro, perfect palusami, and freshly-caught fish, OLD SCHOOL STYLE. It's the perfect way to eat the island way!