What is 'sa' in Samoa?

bille New member

Member since 16 June 2013

billeNew member18 June 2013 02:23:15

Hi guys,
I'm going for an AYAD placement in Samoa and it says something about 'sa'. What is it? It says it involves prayer, singing and Bible readings. A gong or conch shell generally signals the beginning of sa, during which time movement around the village is forbidden.

Can anyone elaborate on that? Can't find anything about it.

bille

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jivey1 Member

Member since 22 July 2013

jivey1Member22 July 2013 20:06:06

Talofa Lava !

the "Sa" is a religious church service that occurs in the afternoon on a sunday, maybe also in some villages on a week day. The whole village stops and boys in white lava lava's patrol the street to make sure nobody does anything. It usually lasts for one hour. Different villages have different rules, some have none at all.

To give you a good example, every Sunday my family and I would spend time at the beach, there is only one road home from this beach. We always had to make sure we left before a certain time to make sure we got through one particular village, as they closed the road for the duration of the "Sa". Not very pleasant if you are still in your swim gear, sweaty, salty tired etc. with 3 screaming kids in the car.

But that is life in Samoa, you adapt.