Just a Mongrel


The other week the newly appointed Miss Samoa told everyone that she was proud to be from Samoa…because we are a nation with 90% ‘pure Samoans’.

What the hell does that mean? What makes a Samoan ‘pure’? And if SOME of us are designated pure – what does that make the rest of us? Impure? Tainted? Dirty? Artificial Samoans?

Now, I confess I’m confused. Are Miss Samoa 2010 and I living on different islands? I’m looking around and the overwhelming majority of the people I see are – seasoned with Chinese, flavoured with Indian, sprinkled with whiteness, stirred with Melanesian, not to mention marinated in Tongan/Tokelauan/Rarotongan and more. Where’s the pure majority?

Let’s take me for example. (because of course everything’s about ME!) My dad is Samoan liberally doused in German, English and with smatterings of American Jew. My mum is Maori with generous servings of Scottish and English.

So what does that make me?

Clearly, I do not belong to Ms Samoa's pure percentage. My husband is a smorgasbord of flavours – a Chinese great grandfather who was a cook on one of the warships that sank in Apia harbour during the great hurricane of 1898 (or was it 1889?) Another great grandfather from England and a great grandmother from the Samoan ‘royal family’ of Manua. So what does that make him? Confused? Over-seasoned? And what the heck does that make our children? Completely messed up?

But maybe I’m looking at this the wrong way. Maybe ‘pure’ Samoans are ‘pure’ because of other things besides their culinary ingredients. Things like – were you born here? Did you grow up here? Can you dance the siva WITHOUT looking like a crack addict in withdrawal? Can you name all the parts of a fa’alavelave pig and tell us which bloody chunk goes to which Very Important Person? Can you speak Samoan? And if you can speak Samoan, can you do so WITHOUT a Kiwi accent? WITHOUT making any mistakes?

We all saw what happened to Miss Samoa-NZ during a particularly aggressive press conference. The poor woman was reduced to tears as self-appointed Identity-Police attacked her roots, her language and her rights to wear a shell tiara. (Miss NZ should have challenged her critics to a Zumba competition. The woman is a fitness instructor and everyone knows that ‘REAL’ Samoans are obese heart attacks waiting to happen. Purity police can’t attack you when they’ve collapsed and need CPR.)
If I seem a little edgy about this, it’s because I’m sick of all the rigamarole about what constitutes a 'real Samoan'. And what things ONLY 'real' Samoans are qualified to do.

There are those who say I shouldn’t have been chosen to write a book on the tsunami because I’m not Samoan enough. There are those who love to excuse bad behaviour because 'its Samoan' and the only reason that behaviour offends me is because I’m 'palagi' and don’t understand.

There are those who love to laugh when I speak the lingo. Never mind that I am courteous enough to never mock anyone with crappy English. If I don’t throw wads of cash at the latest fa'alavelave - it’s because I’m palagi and therefore greedy. (excuse me? I thought it was because I’m on a tight budget and my kids school fees come first before two boxes of herrings for yet another saofai where 40 people are getting the same matai title. Shoot me if I’m out of line - but if they keep dishing out matai titles like candy, there soon won’t there be anybody left to matai over? And how can a title mean anything if 39 other people also have it?)

So in answer to the question of which percentage do I belong to? The pure or the tainted? Here is my reply.

I defy the purity police and their attempts to classify me. I am a woman. Daughter. Wife. Mother. I love and honour a lot of things about our Samoan culture and heritage. Especially our commitment to family, respect and hard work, 'tautua' service. But there’s also a lot of stuff that I can’t stand and I refuse to adhere to. I can speak English better than most English. And American with most Americans. My Samoan language competency is only medium. (Most palagi LDS missionaries stationed here in Samoa can out-lingo me without breaking a sweat). I can dance the siva with grace and dignity (and I invite you to shower me with hundred dollar bills) I don't 'do' fa'alavelaves. I'm Samoan. And palagi. And everything else in between. I embrace all the raggedy, patchwork pieces that make up me.

I'm down and dirty with the 'impure'. I’m just a mongrel. And lovin’ it.

Visit Lani’s Sleepless in Samoa column here: http://sleeplessinsamoa.blogspot.com/

(FB 12/10/10)

Do you agree with Lani? Do you have to be good at certain things to be ‘pure’ in your culture and ethnicity?

Onside BLOG Archive

Pat Lam and Stephen Kearney are Australasia’s most under-fire professional coaches in their respective codes of rugby union and league. INNES LOGAN wonders how much race has to do with it. Brown & Out?
 
The heated debate about the choice of half caste Torika Watters as Miss World Fiji has JARED MACKLEY-CRUMP questioning the purpose and relevance of Pacific beauty contests Miss World Fiji 2012: How Fijian is Fijian enough?
 
There have been recent concerns about the appropriateness of close relatives Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala and Hon Sinaitakala Tu'imatamoana 'i Fanakavalangi Fakafanua marrying each other. FALEN TUUGA STEVENSON debates whether the Tongan Monarchy should continue practicing traditional titles. Tongan Royal nuptials cause stir of controversy
 
The six-year reign of late King Siaosi Tupou V of Tonga was far shorter than his two predecessors, but his moves towards transforming the nation to democracy will ensure lasting memories by his people will be positive. King and Country

Being young is supposed to be one of the most carefree times in a person’s life. In today’s uneasy economic climate, I beg to differ. A helping hand
 
“Willie said if he ever got married, he wanted it to be with someone who has small feet. So she could be closer to the kitchen sink.” I do, finally
 
Innes Logan looks at the New Zealand General Election results and reveals his key conclusions. What we know
 
INNES LOGAN comments on Kiwi caddie Steve Williams and the word ‘black’ and Zac Guildford and being an All Black. Black and White
 
 
Whenever I reply “Kelston Boys High” when asked what secondary school I attended, the next question invariably is “Were you there when Graham Henry was?” Hail King Henry
 
 
My blog last week was titled ‘Anyone but Aussie’. I take that back. Brothers in Arms

I was still buzzing after watching Tonga defeat the French in Wellington last Saturday night and started surfing on my phone while waiting for the Scotland-England match when a headline screamed Carter crocked. No pain no came
 
As soon as rugby teams started arriving in New Zealand from their respective countries, flags started to pop up all around the country. But the flag situation hadn’t become the full-fledged craze it is now until the Tongan and Samoan supporters got hold of it. Flying the Flag
 
ALLANA KAIPO thinks planking is for plonkers. Do you agree? Plankers or Plonkers?
 
The devastating Christchurch earthquake has brought out the best in people... and uunfortunately the worst. ADDING TO THE AGONY are the scammers and opportunists looking to exploit the generosity of those wanting to help and those who have already lost so much. ADRIAN EVANS asks what can be done.

Two years ago, in January 2009, promising rugby league player Sonny Fai died, swept out to sea while saving the life of his younger brother Gillesbie at Bethell’s Beach in west Auckland. At the recent Samoan Sports Awards Sonny’s sister Lalelei spoke on the family’s behalf when presenting the Sonny Fai Memorial Award for Junior Sportsman of the Year. Sonny won the award in 2005. Expressing Humanity

"Don't frisk me down, because of my brown skin..." Katchafire's song lyrics never had a strong resonance in my life until just recently. Big, Brown = Bad

When I heard our homegrown hip-hop heavyweight Scribe was pawning off his music awards I was both surprised and disappointed. Pawn Free
 
 While the tragic story at the end of 2010 of a nine-year-old girl that was abused by her parents seems set to have a happier outcome, INNES LOGAN wonders who’s best to tackle New Zealand’s chronic domestic violence problem. Who can save our children?
 
When the warm tones of summer roll around we all start to wind down. Summer is our season. It’s a season where we get together for backyard barbeques, head to the beach for fun in the sun, and spend time eating and hanging out with family and friends. Happy holidays from SPASIFIK
 
A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think. If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. Women Over 40
 
Today I stumbled across a campaign on an NZ website which is causing a bit of controversy. Baring breasts, is it really that bad?
 
Last week at the supermarket, I waited in the car as my wife went grocery shopping. I saw a guy pull into a handicap parking without a disability card. He looked Polynesian. Where are our manners?
 
It’s only words . So say the self - proclaimed defenders of free speech, the anti-PC brigade, the silent majority who lament the fact that New Zealand is not what it was, referring to the past 150 years when those of European descent have become the majority. Words
 
 The lead-in to Tonga's first truely democratic elections provides only tenuous hope of what may follow, according to PAEA WOLFGRAMM. A Hope and a Prayer
 
Our Sleepless in Samoa columnist, LANI, questions Miss Samoa's comment about her nation of 90% pure Samoans as asks what does 'pure' actually mean, and what does that make the rest? Just a Mongrel
 
As D-Day approaches deciding who will be Auckland’s first super city mayor, SPASIFIK publisher INNES LOGAN reflects on seeing the two leading candidates at the recent Young Pacific Leadership Network Evening in Three Kings, Central Auckland. Super Mayor

SPASIFIK Intern ZORA FEILO asks Is this my land, your land, or our land?

SPASIFIK Intern FALEN TUUGA STEVENSON talks about her addiction to social networking sites and the effect it has on real life. The Facebook Bebo Twitter evolution

SPASIFIK intern and Unitec student ZORA FEILO reveals her battles supporting her son through schooling and asks for more ways to accommodate those like him within the system. Unleashing the dragon- From hardship to glory

THOMAS TARURONGO-PIRIAU WYNNE opens up about his late brother Michael, who was institutionalized, having suffered severe Cerebral Palsy throughout his life, and how his belated return home provided a lesson for all the family. Living with our eyes and hearts open

Back