A faifeau is the Samoan word for "pastor." My village has one church; it's methodist. In Samoa, methodist pastors stay in a village for seven years, then move on to a new village. I've asked numerous Samoans the reason for the seven year rule, and I haven't been given an actual reason. Anyway, when a pastor's term is up, it's a big celebration filled with church and food, of course.
The youth put on a special performance for the faifeau.
Off to the faifeau's to'ona'i (Sunday lunch). My host mother insisted we wear matching pulatasis.
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| A feast! All this food was served to me. A vegetarian's nightmare, eh? |
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| Of course gifts were presented to the pastor. |
After the to'ona'i, everyone changed into lavalavas, and went to the pastor's compound for a special treat: ice cream!
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| Minglin' with the villagers |
Two weeks later, there was a special to'ona'i for the new faifeau. Once again, my host mother and I wore matching pulatasis. She loves telling everyone that we're "twins."
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| I got to sit next to the new faifeau, during to'ona'i. |
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