Sauniga O Le ‘Ava Samoa:
The ‘Ava Ceremony of Samoa
Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata
Ill. Ani Huia Ligaliga

 

 Sauniga O Le ‘Ava Samoa: 
The ‘Ava Ceremony of Samoa
Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata
Illustrator: Ani Huia Ligaliga
Oratia (2026)
Non-fiction, 32 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 978 1 991353 07 8

 

  

Sauniga O Le ‘Ava Samoa:
The ‘Ava Ceremony of Samoa                            

‘The ‘ava ceremony is a Samoan custom that welcomes visitors to a village. It is also a ceremony where the village elders give blessings to new matai in a family.’

This book is a colourful and clear introduction to an important Samoan traditional custom. ‘Ava, known as Kava in other parts of the Pacific, is the official drink at Samoan welcoming ceremonies. Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata, a Samoan-born teacher from Auckland, has written a readable and interesting guide to the ‘ava ceremony in Samoan and English.

 

A double-page colour illustration by Ani Huia Ligaliga shows the ceremony in progress with people seated on mats arranged in an open square in the centre of a fale (house). Each person’s role is indicated. The tulāfale (orators) sit at the front, with the party of visitors on their left and the host villagers on their right. At the back are the chief’s daughter who will mix the ‘ava and the young men who will serve it.

 

The text begins by explaining the importance of the ceremony, then introduces the participants in order. The first up is the village orator who explains the purpose of the meeting and calls for the ‘ave sticks to be brought forward.

‘The orator for the visitors lets everyone know what kind of ‘ava sticks the village brought.’

 

After a speech of welcome and a reply, the Tufu ‘Ava (Caller) announces the names of those who will drink at the ceremony. The ‘ava drink is mixed and served. Gifts are exchanged and a meal is provided by the villagers.

One page describes the etiquette observed in the ceremony and there is also an account of the origins of the ‘ava ceremony and some of the traditions surrounding it.

‘Before drinking from your cup, a little ‘ava is poured for God, to thank Him for his love. ‘Ava can also be poured for God’s blessing on everything we do.’

 

The beautiful colour illustrations on every page, by Hamilton artist, Ani Huia Ligaliga, are a vital part of this guide, showing each stage of a typical village ceremony. Each person’s role in the ceremony is clearly indicated and the various implements used – cups, mats and bowls - are depicted. The gifts exchanged, including food and mats, are also shown.

 

I like to think of the ideal readers of this book as young people who have been told they will be taking part in the ceremony as the Tautu ‘Ava (serving people their ‘ava drinks) or as the Ta Fau (cleaning the strainer). The author and artist have done them a service by creating this guide.

 

With so many Samoans living in other countries, books like Sauniga O Le ‘Ava Samoa also have enormous importance for young people wishing to know the proper way to observe the customs of their homeland. At the same time, books such as The ‘Ava Ceremony of Samoa, are equally important for the rest of us who would like to understand the significance of customs like these. By bringing the two together in this bilingual account, Oratia have created a useful resource for every school and library, not to mention many homes.

 

Trevor Agnew

18 May 2026 (Review 3833]

 

  

 

The Ever-Standing Tree: Te Rākau Tū Tonu  
Tim Tipene   Ani Huia Ligaliga

 

The Ever-Standing Tree: Te Rākau Tū Tonu 

Tim Tipene,
Illustrator: Ani Huia Ligaliga
Oratia Books (2024)
Picture book, Illustrated story
Paperback, 32 pages
ISBN 978 1 99004 260 7

 

This picture book is a modern re-telling of a favourite Māori legend (usually known as ‘Rata and the Tōtara Tree.’) It is told in two languages: English and Māori.

In Tim Tipene’s modern-day version, two children are watching their Dad who is improving his backyard’s view by cutting down a large tree. As Dad swings the axe, his son, Waima, argues that the tree is the view. ‘Koia kē te tirohanga.’

Ignoring the birds that are perched in the tree’s upper branches, Dad fells the tree, planning to cut it up next day. The trunk lies across the lawn. Pani is moved.

‘Āue, that’s sad,’ murmured Pani. ‘Auē, te pōuri,’ te kōmuhu a Pani.

During the night there is the flapping of wings and the scurrying of small feet.

Next morning Dad is amazed to find the tree is standing upright, unharmed. Pani reminds her father of the legend of Rata who cut down a tōtara tree, only to have the birds and insects, the forest guardians [Te Tini o te Hakuturi] pick up every scrap of wood and set the tree up again.

Dad’s response is a chainsaw, and the tree falls again.

Waima is looking at a spider in the tree and says, ‘Maybe we should leave this rākau alone.’

‘Ākuni pea me waiho tatou i tenei rākau.’

 

During the night, there is once again the flapping of wings and the scurrying of small feet.

Once again, the tree is restored by morning. Once again, Dad demolishes it with his chainsaw. Once again, the tree is restored. Next morning the children are amazed to see their father standing with his arms around the tree’s trunk. What will happen next?

 

Tim Tipene has offered a slightly different conclusion from the Māori legend, but one that is more in line with the times. This is a well-told story, with a lovely ending.

The Māori translation was provided by Kanapu Rangitauira.

The illustrator, Huia Ligaliga, has provided realistic double-page colour illustrations of the little family and the big tree. She has also depicted the various insects and birds mentioned in the story. Each creature is identified in both languages, at the bottom of the appropriate page.

The result is a handsome retelling of a familiar legend, with a timeless message for modern society.

 

Trevor Agnew 

23 August 2024  [Review 3696]

 

Alagā’upu Fa’asamoa Ma Uiga Mo Tamaiti:

Samoan Proverbs for Children                   

 

Alagā’upu Fa’asamoa Ma Uiga Mo Tamaiti: 

Samoan Proverbs for Children 

Author: Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata 

Illustrator: Ani Huia Ligaliga

Oratia Books (2025)

Picture book, Information,

Paperback, 32 pages

ISBN   978 1 99 004270 6

                         

This is a very attractive, full-colour, bi-lingual picture book, illustrating thirty Samoan proverbs.

These are traditional wisdoms or sayings passed down through the generations, and still holding their relevance for today. Each proverb gets its own page.

The proverb is given first in Samoan, then in English:

‘O oe o le tautai matapalapala.

You are a wise fisherman.’

This is then followed by author Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata’s explanation of the background, or his guidance to the proverb’s full meaning. This often involves explaining the proverb’s cultural context. Here he explains the ‘wise fisherman’ proverb:

‘O le tautai matapalapala o le tautai na te iloa le mea o iai i’a, tusa lava pe nenefu le ogosami.

E fa’asino i se ta’ita’i lelei i taimi o puapuaga.

A wise fisherman knows where the fish are, even in muddy waters. This refers to a person who leads wisely in times of danger.’

Each proverb is accompanied by a colour illustration by Ani Huia Ligaliga. Her handsome pictures show family situations, formal and informal, as well as church gatherings and gardening scenes. Creatures mentioned in some proverbs, such as birds, crabs and fish, are also shown. Many of the pictures have a frame of traditional tapa cloth designs.  

Each picture is not only a representation of Samoan daily life but it also contains clever modern representations of the particular proverb.

For example: ‘E sili le puipuia nai lo le togofitia. Prevention is better than cure,’ is shown by a family putting on their life jackets before taking a rowboat out to sea. Each picture thus reinforces its proverb. These skilful and well-researched illustrations also give a lovely insight into Samoan families and their way-of-life.

 Alagā’upu Fa’asamoa Ma Uiga Mo Tamaiti: Samoan Proverbs for Children is a book which has a much wider appeal than just the inhabitants of Samoa or Samoans living overseas.  It also offers all children a useful doorway to the culture of Samoa, and an introduction to its rich heritage of customs, traditions and wise words.

Author Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata was born and raised in Samoa. He now lives in Auckland. Described as ‘an eminent orator and community leader’, he teaches at McAuley High School in Ōtahuhu and the Centre for Pacific languages in Manukau.

Illustrator Ani Huia Ligaliga is a Māori artist who studied Art at Brigham Young University in Hawaii. Her book illustrations include The Ever-Standing Tree by Tim Tipene (2024) and Alagā’upu Fa’asamoa Ma Uiga Mo Tamaiti: Samoan Proverbs for Children by Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata (2025)

 

Trevor Agnew 

8 Apr 2025 [Review 3757]