Presented by Fi Ti lFinau Tiumalu M Schuster

Disclaimer:

The following cultural briefing has been graciously provided by theThe following cultural briefing has been graciously provided by the

respective authors to provide insight into the impacts of ageing on the

Samoan community This presentation is a synthesis ofSamoan community. This presentation is a synthesis of

information from a source believed to be reliable. Diversicare gives no

warranty that the said base sources are correct and accepts nowarranty that the said base sources are correct, and accepts no

responsibility for any resultant errors contained herein or for decision

and actions taken as a result and any damage This presentation mayand actions taken as a result and any damage. This presentation may

not be re-used or redistributed, and is intended for reference only.

Please contact the respective authors of this presentation for further

access or permission to use any of the content or email

cpp.townsville@diversicare.com for other materials.

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I t d tiIntroduction

This project received funding from the

Australian Government Department of Health

and Ageing under the Community Partnersand Ageing under the Community Partners

Program. g

With this presentation we hope to give you

some understanding of the culture and care of

S lSamoan people.

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SOURCE: The Nations Online Project 1998-2009, One World-Nations Online, viewed 12 June 2009, <http://nationsonline.org>Diversicare 2009

• CURRENT STATISTICS

• MIGRATION HISTORYMIGRATION HISTORY

• COMMUNICATION

• FAMILY STRUCTURE

• PRIVACYPRIVACY

• PERCEPTION OF ILLNESS

• RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

• DIETDIET

• TABOO SUBJECTS

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CURRENT STATISTICSCURRENT STATISTICS

in Australia in Queenslandin Australia in Queensland

15 240 48704870

SOURCE: Department of Immigration and Citizenship 2006, Community Information Summary: Samoa-born, Commonwealth DIAC, Canberra

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in Townsvillein Townsville

300300

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MIGRATIONMIGRATION

• started in the early 1900si t t A t li f• migrants came to Australia for commerce,

education and missionary purposes• more and more New Zealand-Samoans are

migrating to Australia for work study andmigrating to Australia for work, study and sports

• migration from Samoa to Australia is due to sports, better health services, to be withsports, better health services, to be with family and or for work/career opportunities

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COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION• main language spoken is Samoan• presently, English is spoken widely throughout Samoa • there are different ways to greet someone depending on

h itheir statusStatus In Samoan Greeting

b hi i h f d li if

Chief Ali’i Lau Afioga

Orator Chief Tulafale Lau Tofa

• ...but this is the safest and polite way to greet someone if you are unsure of his/her status:“Talofa lau susuga”Talofa lau susuga

• when communicating with some Samoans be conscious of the ‘yes’ syndrome (agreeing without fully understanding)the yes syndrome (agreeing without fully understanding)

• visiting the home (Fa’a Samoa - Samoan Way)• majority of schools in Samoa are taught in Englishmajority of schools in Samoa are taught in English

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FAMILY STRUCTUREFAMILY STRUCTURE• Samoan people are very family orientated p p y y

NUCLEAR FAMILY

• the head and decision maker of the family is always the• the head and decision-maker of the family is always the father

th l f th if i t d i h h b d i tt• the role of the wife is to advise her husband various matters and ensure the household is maintained

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FAMILY STRUCTUREFAMILY STRUCTURE

EXTENDED FAMILY• Everyone works collectively for the betterment of

the whole extended familythe whole extended family

RESPECT • Chiefs/elders

Th i t t b t b th d• There is a strong respect between brothers and sisters (i.e. It is a brother’s duty to protect their sisters no matter what)

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LIFESTYLE/LEISURELIFESTYLE/LEISURE

SPORTS• Rugby Union

WOMEN’S LEISURE• Women’s committees (weaving, tapa

making)• Rugby League• Soccer

making) • Singing & Dancing

• Basketball• Netball• Samoan Cricket• Samoan Cricket• Fautasi Races

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PRIVACY d TAPU (TABOO)PRIVACY and TAPU (TABOO)

• most Samoan elderly people prefer to be d f b f il b if tcared for by family members, if not...

• the gender of the carer must be consideredthe gender of the carer must be considered (i.e. if the person is female then the carer

b f l d f l h ldmust be a female and if male, the carer could be male or female))

• Taboo : sex, marriage with close relations

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ATTITUDES TOWARD HEALTHATTITUDES TOWARD HEALTH

• prefer to care for our elders at home • placing elders in a nursing home is a seen as a sign ofplacing elders in a nursing home is a seen as a sign of

neglect• traditionally the Samoan diet consisted of fresh• traditionally, the Samoan diet consisted of fresh

meat and root crops d t th i i di b t di l• due to the increase in diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc. more awareness has been raised about h t t thhow to prevent them

• in Samoa, due to the hot and humid climate, people tend to showers two or more times a day

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RELIGIOUS PRACTICESRELIGIOUS PRACTICESj it f S b l t th CCCS R• majority of Samoans belong to the CCCS, Roman

Catholic, Methodist, Mormon, etc. churches• on the Samoan crest, it says “Fa’avae I le Atua

Samoa” which means “Founded in God” • Samoan culture and traditions have changed

dramatically since the arrival of Christianitydramatically since the arrival of Christianity (through the London Missionary Society in the 1830 )1830s)

• there are cases where people are believed to be p ppossessed by demons or spirits and will seek treatment by a traditional healertreatment by a traditional healer

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/FOOD / DIET

• staples consist of starchy foods such as root crops (i.e. taro, yams, manioka), green bananas

• traditional cuisine includes: fish, pork and birdsand birds

• modern cuisine includes: all imported goods (i.e. meat, canned food, etc)goods (i.e. meat, canned food, etc)

• Umu (like Hangi, Lovo) – Sunday lunch is usually the biggest meal of the week

• raw fish (marinated in lemon juice and coconut cream) & Palusami (made from t l d t )taro leaves and coconut cream)

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DEATH & DYINGDEATH & DYINGh i l l d b• there are certain cultural procedures to be

followed

• so, it is best to contact the family or close relatives

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ti ?any questions?By Finau Tiumalu M Schuster

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