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FA’A-SAMOA - THE EPISTEMOLOGY OF SAMOAN SPIRITUALITY: A THEOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLORATION FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION A Dissertation presented to the Faculty of the Claremont School of Theology In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Moreli Jerome Niuatoa May 2007 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © 2007 Moreli Jerome Niuatoa ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. This Dissertation, written by Moreli Jerome Niuatoa under the direction of his Faculty Committee and approved by its members, has been presented to and accepted by the Faculty of the Claremont School of Theology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty Committee: Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Chairperson Carol Lakey Hess Stephen S. Kim Dean: Susan L. Nelson Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT FA’A-SAMOA - THE EPISTEMOLOGY OF SAMOAN SPIRITUALITY: A THEOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLORATION FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION by Moreli Jerome Niuatoa Fa’a-Samoa (cultural values) and spirituality (religious values) are inseparable. Samoan spirituality is non-existent without Fa’a-Samoa. The charisma of Fa’a-Samoa validates the reality of Samoan spirituality. The origin of this relationship is in the Samoan ideology, in which they find it more fitting to establish relationships with the transcendent through a visible metaphor called “Fa’a-Samoa.” Using the Samoan community as a case study, this dissertation explores the motivational dynamics of Fa’a- Samoa for spiritual formation and nurture. Utilizing the supports of grounded theory and the cultural hermeneutic approach, this dissertation illustrates Fa’a-Samoa as the epistemology of Samoan spirituality. It explores the effect of Fa’a-Samoa on the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of Samoans. Fa’a-Samoa as spiritual empowerment is significant to Samoans through their views of aspects of Samoan ideology. Secondly, this dissertation illustrates Fa’a-Samoa as an agent of Samoan religious and cultural elements defined as life-giving principles and discipline. Believing in unity between Fa’a-Samoa and structure contributes to the coherent meaning of Samoan spirituality including nature, symbolism, and cultural patterns of their use. Thirdly, this study portrays Fa’a-Samoa as a reliable form of theology, education, and psychology for the Samoan Christians. Spiritual well-being as the ultimate goals is Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. the emphasis of Fa’a-Samoa. Ultimately, emotional freedom, mental health, and spiritual happiness is what the Samoan known as spirituality—living well and doing well in both one’s relationship with God and others. The greatest happiness consists in the revelation of God which involves not only the person himself/herself but the culture in which he/she lives and the society to which he/she belongs. Group discussions and sample surveys were used to gather information about their attitudes and perspectives about Samoan spirituality; and pertaining to their own view of the psycho-theological culture and religious situation of Fa’a-Samoa. It was estimated that the participants would have an increased sense of spirituality as a result of their practicing of Fa’a-Samoa; and an increased sense of spiritual well-being with exposure to aspects of Fa’a-Samoa aimed to provide spirituality. The findings showed that Fa’a-Samoa—history, attitudes, philosophy, custom and tradition have a huge impact on Samoan spirituality. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter......................................................................................................................................Page INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................1 Problem of Samoan Spirituality ....................................................................................3 Thesis and Argument......................................................................................................7 Research Methodology ...................................................................................................9 Definitions of Relevant Terms ....................................................................................12 Culture in General Perspectives .....................................................................12 Spirituality in General Perspectives ..............................................................14 Fa’a-Samoa........................................................................................................15 Samoan Spirituality ..........................................................................................15 Spiritual Formation...........................................................................................16 Resources Employed ....................................................................................................17 Scope and Limitations ..................................................................................................21 Rationale.........................................................................................................................22 Contribution to Theory and Practice of Religious Education..................................23 Narrative Outline ..........................................................................................................24 1. FA’A-SAMOA SPIRITUALITY: A THEORETICAL EXPRESSION OF VARIOUS FACTORS AFFECTING IT IN THE UNITED STATES ............................................28 Emerging Interest in Spirituality ................................................................................31 Towards an Understanding of Samoan Spirituality: Theory and Practice ............34 iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Contrasting Perspectives of Spirituality ....................................................................38 Complexity of Practicing Fa’a-Samoa: A Spiritual Dilemma................................48 Aiga—Family: Fa’a-Samoa vs. American....................................................48 Galuega—Employment: Agricultural vs. Industrial ...................................51 Aoga—Education: Traditional vs. Technological .......................................58 Fa’a-Samoa in Relation to Samoan Spirituality .......................................................62 Fa’a-Samoa and Social Values .......................................................................66 Fa’a-Samoa and Religious Values.................................................................68 Fa’a-Samoa Spiritual Worldview and Experience ...................................................70 Agaga - Worldview of Spirits........................................................................71 Samoan Spirituality—Ola Fa ’aleagaga: Etymology and Exposition...................72 Exposition of Ola..............................................................................................73 Exposition of Agaga ........................................................................................74 Philosophical Assumption for Enhancing Samoan Spirituality .............................76 Towards a Logical Definition of Samoan Spirituality..............................................79 Summary...............................................................................................................................80 2. FA’A-SAMOA AS METAPHOR OF SAMOAN SPIRITUALITY: HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS .......................................................................83 Samoa: An Overview with Spiritual Connotation....................................................84 Samoan Heritage and Importance of Naming ..............................................87 Aganu ’u ma Agaifanua - Traditions of Culture and Customs ..................89 Primitive Samoan Worldviews with Significant Spiritual Overtones ...................91 iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Foafoaga - Traditions of Creation ................................................................94 Solo—A Living Myth: Preserving Spirituality of Samoan Traditions .....96 Tapuaiga - Traditions of Religion ................................................................98 Samoan Sacred Traditions of Land - Tapu Eleele .................................................100 Samoan Categories of the Forbidden...........................................................101 Lifting of Prohibitions - Tatalaina o Tapu ma Sa.....................................103 Samoan Social Organization ....................................................................................105 Fa ’avae Maopoopo - Ideal Structure..........................................................105 Contextual Foundations of Fa’a-Samoa: Ecology of Moral and Ethical Living.......................................................................................................................108 Fuaifale - Household.....................................................................................109 Aiga Faitele - Extended Family...................................................................112 Nuu - Village Organization..........................................................................115 Economic Characteristics of Samoa.........................................................................117 Divisions of Labor - Tiute ma Fatuaiga ....................................................117 Property and Wealth - Fanua/Laueleele ma Tamaoaiga.........................118 Summary.............................................................................................................................120 3. FA’A-SAMOA AS CODE OF CONDUCT OF SAMOAN SPIRITUALITY: CUSTOMARY LIFEWAY OF SAMOA.......................................................................123 Significant Ceremonial Lifestyle of Samoa: Guiding Principles .........................124 ‘Ava Fa ’atupu - Covenant of Relationship ...............................................126 Talimalo ma le Foa 7 - Spirituality of Hospitality and Reciprocal v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Relations....................................................................................................129 Fa 'aaloalo - The Dominant Samoan Attitude of Respect ....................................132 Norm of Respect in the Family.....................................................................133 Norm of Respect in the Village ....................................................................135 Norm of Respect in the District....................................................................138 Kinship Functions - Vafealoaloa 7 ma Faia ...........................................................142 Kin Reliance vs. Self-Reliance.....................................................................143 Vafealoa 7 - Attitude Towards Women.......................................................145 Functions of Relatives Connected with Birth - Fanauga ........................147 Samoan Custom and Spirituality of Architecture and Navigation .......................148 Tufuga Samoa - Spirituality of Architecture..............................................151 Aga o Femalagaiga - Spirituality of Navigation .....................................154 Samoan Customs of Deliberation and Decision-Making ......................................158 Tofa ma le Fa’autaga - Wise Discernment vs. Problem-Solving........................161 Summary.............................................................................................................................164 4. FA’A-SAMOA AS CHRISTIAN LIFE OF SAMOAN SPIRITUALITY: A THEOLOGICAL AND EDUCATIONAL DIALOGUE .............................................167 Gustavo Gutierrez’s Liberation Spirituality and Solidarity...................................170 Fa’a-Samoa and Gutierrez: Seeking a Theological Common Ground ................175 Spirituality is Initiated by the Spirit of God -Agaga................................176 Spirituality is Bom Out of Real Life Experience -Aiga ma Nuu ...........179 Spirituality is the Salvific Act of God - Tagaloalagi ................................180 vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Spirituality is Solidarity to Human Dilemma - Lotonu 'u .......................182 Spirituality Begins with People’s Need as Practice of Love - Alofa ......185 Spirituality is Action of High Regard for Human Values -Amio Fa’aaloalo .................................................................................................188 Fa’a-Samoa Spirituality of Empowerment ..............................................................190 Tagata Fou ia Keriso - A New Samoan Image in Christ ....................................194 Tagata Fou i le Agaga - Major Characteristics of a New Samoan Spirituality ..............................................................................................................196 Spirituality of Happiness—Fiafia ...............................................................196 Spirituality of Love—Agalelei i Tagata......................................................197 Spirituality of Generosity and Service— Tautua Matavela ......................198 Spirituality of Ethical Living— Ola Amiolelei............................................199 Spirituality of Self-awareness— Tofa ma le Fa ’autaga............................200 We Drink from Our Own Wells: A Fa’a-Samoa Perspective ..............................202 Ecclesiastical Practice of Samoan Spirituality in the Samoan Church................204 Papatisoga - Baptism....................................................................................205 Fa ’amanatuga - Holy Communion ............................................................207 Soifua Auauna - Discipleship......................................................................210 Summary.............................................................................................................................211 5. FA’A-SAMOA AS PEDAGOGY OF SAMOAN SPIRITUALITY: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION........................................................214 Making Fa’a-Samoa Accessible to Foster Spiritual Formation............................215 vii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.