TEU LE VA: TOWARD A NATIVE ANTHROPOLOGY

Authors

Melani Anae, University of Auckland

Abstract

The Samoan word va tapuia, includes the term “tapu,” within. The term literally refers to the sacred (tapu-ia) relationship (va) between man and all things, animate and inanimate. It implies that in our relationships with all things, living and dead, there exists a sacred essence, a life force beyond human reckoning. The distinction here between what is living and what is dead is premised not so much on whether a “life force,” i.e. a mauli or fatu manava exists in the thing (i.e. whether a “life-breath” of “heart beat” exudes from it), but whether that thing, living or dead, has a genealogy (in an evolutionary rather than human procreation sense) that connects to a life force. The va tapuia, the sacred relations, between all things, extends in the Samoan indigenous reference to all things living or dead, where a genealogical relationship can be traced. (His Excellency Tui Atua Tupua Tamosese Efi 2007, 3)

Recommended Citation

Anae, Melani (2010) "TEU LE VA: TOWARD A NATIVE ANTHROPOLOGY," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 33: No. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol33/iss2/4