Ocean Newsletter
No.581 October 20, 2024
-
Efforts to Build Multi-layered Relationships between Japan and Pacific Island Nations
SHIOZAWA Hideyuki (Director, Division of Island Nations, Ocean Policy Research Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation)
The situation in the Pacific island region is becoming more complicated due to the expansion of geopolitical competition, the strengthening of sovereignty of Pacific island countries, and the increase in development partners involved in the region. Japan has built close relationships with Pacific island countries through people-to-people ties, fishing, development cooperation, etc., but changes in the regional situation and the impact of the ALPS treated water issue have reduced Japan's influence in the region. It was against this background that the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held in July 2024 and the Pacific Island Nations Weeks organized by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation became a new starting point for restoring trust between the two parties and building multi-layered relationships for the future.
-
The Pacific Ocean, Samoa, and Traditional Culture
Brian T. Alofaituli (Senior Lecturer, National University of Samoa / Executive Director, Research & Education from the Pacific)
Samoan Knowledge Systems (SKS) are interrelated ‘ways of knowing,’ using Samoa’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and provide a cultural context to ocean preservation. This essay briefly highlights the value of Samoan Knowledge Systems woven into culture, history, development, modernity, and globalization.
-
Human Resource Development in the Energy Sector for Pacific Island Nations
OGAWA Tadayuki (Senior Advisor, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA))
Pacific Island Countries(PICs) face various challenges in the energy sector, such as low energy self-sufficiency ratio and high risk of energy security. A "hybrid power generation system" in which an optimal combination of power generation through renewable energy including solar photovoltaic (PV) system and Diesel Engine Generators (DEG) complements each other to minimize the impact of climate change while realizing a stable power supply, and technical cooperation projects for human resource development are becoming more important to build a system for sustainably maintaining and managing the system within each country and the entire region.
The Pacific Ocean, Samoa, and Traditional Culture
KEYWORDS
Pacific Island States/Samoan Knowledge Systems (SKS)/traditional knowledge
Brian T. Alofaituli (Senior Lecturer, National University of Samoa / Executive Director, Research & Education from the Pacific)
Samoan Knowledge Systems (SKS) are interrelated ‘ways of knowing,’ using Samoa’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and provide a cultural context to ocean preservation. This essay briefly highlights the value of Samoan Knowledge Systems woven into culture, history, development, modernity, and globalization.
Samoan Knowledge Systems (SKS)
The Pacific Ocean plays a significant role in Samoan traditions, cultural practices, and expressions; today, the shift toward modernity has reduced these practices that have sustained Samoans for centuries. Navigational skills, reading weather patterns, making the va'a (canoe), knowing the significant representation and use of particular birds, fish, and animals near the ocean, and the art of fishing have become less visible and silent due to the natural shift toward modernity and globalization. Although Samoa's traditional culture has evolved in practice and its relationship with the ocean, its deep historical, cultural, and spiritual essence remains in its traditional knowledge through songs, folklore, oratory, weaving, genealogies, family and village names, and language. In addition to Western empirical data, traditional knowledge has become a part of the national, regional, and international frameworks and dialogues to address global environmental issues, cultural heritage, and ocean conservation. In particular, using Samoan Knowledge Systems (SKS) provides a cultural context to ocean preservation. SKS are interrelated 'ways of knowing' using Samoa's intangible and tangible cultural heritage. This multilayered knowledge integrates spiritual and communal relationships, material culture, and cultural expressions through language, song, and dance. SKS is embedded in Samoan thinking, attitudes, and communal habits.
A reverence, respect, or mīgao is necessary and should be natural within Samoan human interactions. The term mīgao raises consciousness in the relationships with each other and the earth and ocean. Preserving the ocean, coral reefs, fish, and ocean life surrounding Samoa is prioritized nationally because Samoan identity and 'ways of knowing' are linked to the ocean. According to the Pathways for the Development of Samoa, the Pacific Ocean surrounds, protects, and provides for Samoans.[1] Therefore, maintaining Samoa's bio-diverse waters is a national and regional priority through a collective effort. There is a push for more active respect for the ocean and its meaning to Samoa in the twenty-first century.
A reverence, respect, or mīgao is necessary and should be natural within Samoan human interactions. The term mīgao raises consciousness in the relationships with each other and the earth and ocean. Preserving the ocean, coral reefs, fish, and ocean life surrounding Samoa is prioritized nationally because Samoan identity and 'ways of knowing' are linked to the ocean. According to the Pathways for the Development of Samoa, the Pacific Ocean surrounds, protects, and provides for Samoans.[1] Therefore, maintaining Samoa's bio-diverse waters is a national and regional priority through a collective effort. There is a push for more active respect for the ocean and its meaning to Samoa in the twenty-first century.

Photo 1: Silence by a fisherman in the evening around Levi, Saliemo: SKS is about the person, land and ocean, all connected. (source: Author.)
Complex Traditional Culture and Practices
The western group of Upolu, Savai'i, Manono, and Apolima are a part of the Independent State of Samoa. The eastern island of Tutuila and the Manu'a chain is American Samoa. These are two contemporary political factions, but the Samoan Islands share a common language, material culture, kinship, history, and chief system. The Samoan proverb states, "E tala lasi Samoa." Multiple interpretations, stories, and genealogies exist to understand Samoa and its complex traditional culture. The Pacific Ocean had become an open pathway for different changes in Samoa, from its first settlers to the arrival of Christianity and imperial powers. With the waves of change in Samoa, local non-profit organizations and government agencies are pushing to preserve the ocean and life within it and maintain the centuries-old relationship between the ocean and traditional culture.
For centuries, the Samoan matai (chief) used proverbs in their oratory expressions during ceremonial gatherings. Proverbs about the ocean provide context to events within families or villages and expressions to advise particular situations. For example, O le va'a ua motu ma le taula. The literal meaning of the proverb is a ship without its anchor. This is an expression of someone who travels but is without much support. Another proverb related to the ocean is E lutia I Pu'ava, 'ae mapu I Fagalele. Pu'ava and Fagalele are both on the island of Savai'i. In Pu'ava, there are dangerous cross-currents, but in Fagalele, one is in a peaceful bay. This term is often used to encourage individuals or families that hardships never last. The Samoan language is one of the multiple pillars of Samoanness. Samoans can use these poetic expressions to understand the ocean by maintaining language, especially the art of chiefly oratory. In Samoa's material culture, the ocean provides objects significant to chief authority, such as white shells (Cypraea ovula) representing Samoan pule or authority. The war canoes called taumualua had white shells running along the bow and stern of the canoe during a time of war.
Particular cultural practices within Samoan Knowledge Systems raise awareness toward a healthier coastal and marine system. As a regional approach, Pacific history, knowledge, and science together 'hold the solutions for contemporary challenges.'[2] In Samoa and throughout the Pacific region, certain tapu (forbidden practices) are in effect during funerals or village events, including fishing. These were methods used to limit overfishing and practice a community-based management of marine resources. In particular Samoan villages, during the atule (bigeye scad) and palolo (polychaete worm) harvest seasons, these are periods for communal fishing where traditional practices unique to them are displayed. When caught, particular sacred or forbidden fish are given to ranking chiefs, such as the i'a sa or laumei (turtle).
For centuries, the Samoan matai (chief) used proverbs in their oratory expressions during ceremonial gatherings. Proverbs about the ocean provide context to events within families or villages and expressions to advise particular situations. For example, O le va'a ua motu ma le taula. The literal meaning of the proverb is a ship without its anchor. This is an expression of someone who travels but is without much support. Another proverb related to the ocean is E lutia I Pu'ava, 'ae mapu I Fagalele. Pu'ava and Fagalele are both on the island of Savai'i. In Pu'ava, there are dangerous cross-currents, but in Fagalele, one is in a peaceful bay. This term is often used to encourage individuals or families that hardships never last. The Samoan language is one of the multiple pillars of Samoanness. Samoans can use these poetic expressions to understand the ocean by maintaining language, especially the art of chiefly oratory. In Samoa's material culture, the ocean provides objects significant to chief authority, such as white shells (Cypraea ovula) representing Samoan pule or authority. The war canoes called taumualua had white shells running along the bow and stern of the canoe during a time of war.
Particular cultural practices within Samoan Knowledge Systems raise awareness toward a healthier coastal and marine system. As a regional approach, Pacific history, knowledge, and science together 'hold the solutions for contemporary challenges.'[2] In Samoa and throughout the Pacific region, certain tapu (forbidden practices) are in effect during funerals or village events, including fishing. These were methods used to limit overfishing and practice a community-based management of marine resources. In particular Samoan villages, during the atule (bigeye scad) and palolo (polychaete worm) harvest seasons, these are periods for communal fishing where traditional practices unique to them are displayed. When caught, particular sacred or forbidden fish are given to ranking chiefs, such as the i'a sa or laumei (turtle).

Photo 2: A 19th Century Taumualua (prow) (source: National University of Samoa)
Towards Conservation of the Ocean and Traditional Culture
This short essay briefly highlights the value of Samoan Knowledge Systems woven into culture, history, development, modernity, and globalization. Culture evolves and is dynamic. Generations to come will most likely not value Samoan culture the same; therefore, it is crucial to continue to weave together the different ‘ways of knowing’ to address social, political, and environmental issues today. The reverence or mīgao allows us to make responsible decisions in our relationship with one another and the environment. The practice of culture and language use depends upon the spaces we are in. Therefore, there needs to be a conscious decision in our actions to preserve both our ocean and traditional culture.
[1] Ministry of Finance, Government of Samoa. Pathways for the Development of Samoa FY2021/22-FY2025/26.
[2] Pacific Community (2022). Strategic Plan 2022-203: Sustainable Pacific development through science, knowledge and innovation.
[2] Pacific Community (2022). Strategic Plan 2022-203: Sustainable Pacific development through science, knowledge and innovation.