White Sunday is Samoa's way of honoring the children.October 20, 2013 By Vaoese Limutau Kava On the second Sunday in the month of October each year, White Sunday is widely celebrated by all Samoan Communities worldwide. White Sunday, or better known as “Lotu Tamaiti” (Children’s Prayer), is even said to be the biggest holiday in Samoa, even bigger than Christmas. This is a busy week in the village. While the old folks of each village reminisce the days of their youth, and pray for good weather (October usually brings the early rains of Palolo, a Samoan delicacy that are literally sea worms rising from the coral reef twice a year and then they melt at sunrise), the children prepare their memorized verses or “Tauloto” for Sunday. All week long the children are full of anticipation. They know a set of brand new white clothes will be theirs to wear on White Sunday, they will eat first at the Sunday lunch or to’ana’i that their parents will serve them, and this usually starts changing their behavior for the better before Lotu Tamaiti.
Lotu Taimaiti is said to have started from a prayer service in the early 1900’s, after an Influenza Epidemic took the lives of more than ¼ of the Samoan Population. Due to the fact that most of the victims were children, the Elders of the London Missionary Society Church known today as the EFKS faith, held a prayer each year thereafter to commemorate the children who had died. This prayer service is still held to this day, but revisions throughout the years have turned this memorial into an elaborate affair featuring theatrical dramas we now see of biblical & modern stories, depicting the children themselves. But included in the service is a genuine prayer to thank God and ask for blessings on the children of Samoa.
This year on the Saturday before White Sunday Apia saw some major traffic headaches, especially in the areas around the make shift market in Fugalei, the fish market in Matafele, Frankie's Shopping Centre in Matautu, and the Ah Liki Wholesale in Saleufi. While this holiday is also celebrated widely in other parts of the world where Samoan communities are, the whole atmosphere of excitement and anticipation gives a special meaning when you are in Samoa for Lotu Tamaiti. This year I have the pleasure of bringing to you, some of the beautiful faces in photos, of some of the Lotu Taimaiti celebrations in various parts of Apia and Samoa.
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Samoa joins the Le Malae network with Vaoese Limutau Kava heading the apia office.Le Malae is very happy to announce that Vaoese Limutau Kava has joined the Le Malae network as the Editor in Chief for Apia. We are so fortunate to have this talented and capable individual as the Editor in Chief of le Malae Apia or the Samoans in Apia web page.
Vaoese has travelled extensively between Samoa, Utah, Tonga, American Samoa, California as well as New Zealand and Australia. Her work experiences include the following: 1988-1991 & 1998: IRETA Secretary: University of the South Pacific, Alafua Campus, SAMOA 1993-1997: Payroll Supervisor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia 2000-2003: Flight Operations Supervisor, Royal Tongan Airlines, Tonga 2004-2005: Manager, Federal Pacific Finance, Tonga 2005-2008: Started Marketonga, the first Real Estate Company in Tonga (now there's 5) 2007-2010: Owned Sails Lodge, Nukua'lofa, TONGA 2011-2013: Resort Manager, Leuaina Seaside Resort. SAMOA Married Sam Kava from Tonga, and they have 4 sons; Martin, Lyndon, Jeremy, and Lachlan. She has settled down with her family in Samoa and they reside in Fagaloa where she owns and operates a transportation company and an Audio/Sound Company when she isn't managing the LeUaina Beach Resort in Faleapuna, Upolu owned by Mr. Schwartz Hunt. As a member of the Limutau family she has athletic genes and her family members including her brothers John and Tupa'i Felise are known in the sporting circles for Volleyball and basketball prowess. She too played sports in Salt Lake City, Utah and elsewhere. Singing is another of her favorite past times and she has managed to turn this talent into a business with a Sound company that probably has some of the best audio/sound equipment in Apia. Her family is the pride of her life and she and her husband have made a difficult transition from living in the USA to returning to live in the islands. Her children though have adapted well and are thriving in the beauty that is Fagaloa, while attending schools in town. The transition although tough, seems to have made her more active in her community and her church. She and her family are the mainstays for the LDS Branch in Fagaloa. She seems to enjoy creating activities for the youth to enjoy and it usually ends with a dance or party with children and adults all having a good time. But this is part of her strong conviction as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that to serve her fellowmen is to serve her God. This has been fortunate for Le Malae as we see this as an opportunity to tap into Vaoese's enthusiasm and drive to provide Samoans living abroad with a window into what is happening in our homeland. This new position also allows her to expand her talents to include photography and reporting for a news media outlet. How can she fit all this into her daily schedule? As one wise man said, if you want to get something done give it to the busiest person. We wish her well in all her endeavors and say with great anticipation; Afio maia and God bless. |