title: Samoan death rituals in a New Zealand context

authors: Seiuli, Byron Malaela Sotiata

subjects: Samoan death rituals

abstract: Given that dialogue relating to death and grief for many Samoans still remains in the realm of tapu (sacred) or s? (protected), few attempts have been made by researchers of Samoan heritage to understand whether the cultural contexts for enacting associated rituals might also provide avenues for healing. Psychological scholarship on recovery following death, particularly among men, is largely based on dominant western perspectives that continue to privilege both clinical and ethnocentric perspectives as the norm. This case presentation, which forms part of a larger doctoral research by the author, demonstrates that some Samoan end-of-life rituals open space for greater consideration of recovery from death as a culturally-defined process. In many instances, instead of severing ties with the deceased person as is popular in clinical approaches to grief work, Samoan grief resolution strongly endorse continued connections through its mourning patterns. Their end-of-life enactment helps to transition the deceased from this life to the next, while drawing the living together. Critically, the performance and maintenance of such important tasks create space for heaving emotions to be calmed, where meaning is made, and where the lives of those impacted are slowly restored. Some of these familiar rituals offer therapeutic value, enabling Samoans involved in this study to walk hand-in-hand with their emotional distress, while transitioning them through the grieving process. Such mourning traditions are meaningful and culturally preferred, validating and celebrating Samoan cultural identity.

text: Samoan death rituals in a New Zealand context Given that dialogue relating to death and grief for many Samoans still remains in the realm of tapu (sacred) or s? (protected), few attempts have been made by researchers of Samoan heritage to understand whether the cultural contexts for enacting associated rituals might also provide avenues for healing. Psychological scholarship on recovery following death, particularly among men, is largely based on dominant western perspectives that continue to privilege both clinical and ethnocentric perspectives as the norm. This case presentation, which forms part of a larger doctoral research by the author, demonstrates that some Samoan end-of-life rituals open space for greater consideration of recovery from death as a culturally-defined process. In many instances, instead of severing ties with the deceased person as is popular in clinical approaches to grief work, Samoan grief resolution strongly endorse continued connections through its mourning patterns. Their end-of-life enactment helps to transition the deceased from this life to the next, while drawing the living together. Critically, the performance and maintenance of such important tasks create space for heaving emotions to be calmed, where meaning is made, and where the lives of those impacted are slowly restored. Some of these familiar rituals offer therapeutic value, enabling Samoans involved in this study to walk hand-in-hand with their emotional distress, while transitioning them through the grieving process. Such mourning traditions are meaningful and culturally preferred, validating and celebrating Samoan cultural identity.

year: 2017

title: Na yaqona kei na ivakatakilakila vakavanua ena yatu Pasivika (Kava and ethno-cultural identity in Oceania)

authors: Aporosa, S. 'Apo'

subjects: ivakatakilakilavaka

abstract: Garibaldi and Turner (2004, p. 1, 5) explain the role that particular plants play in facilitating the shared ancestry, practices and social experience of an ethnicity. This can include spiritual connections, cultural expression and practice, ceremony, exchange, linguistic reflection, socialisation, medicinal and/or dietary systems. They term these plants ‘cultural keystone species’ and icons of identity, plants that if removed would cause some disruptions to the cultural practices and identity of an ethnic group. Undoubtedly, kava (Piper methysticum) is the cultural keystone species for many Oceanic and Pacific peoples; a “differentiating element of common culture” (Zagefka, 2016, p. 761) informing their ethno-cultural identity. That influence is also extending to new non-Pacific Island user groups who have embraced elements of kava ethno-cultural identity in what has been termed diasporic identity formation in reverse. This chapter will discuss kava with specific reference to ethnic positionality in Fiji, while recognising the tensions from inside and outside the region that support and threaten the continuance of the kava drinking tradition.

text: Na yaqona kei na ivakatakilakila vakavanua ena yatu Pasivika (Kava and ethno-cultural identity in Oceania) Garibaldi and Turner (2004, p. 1, 5) explain the role that particular plants play in facilitating the shared ancestry, practices and social experience of an ethnicity. This can include spiritual connections, cultural expression and practice, ceremony, exchange, linguistic reflection, socialisation, medicinal and/or dietary systems. They term these plants ‘cultural keystone species’ and icons of identity, plants that if removed would cause some disruptions to the cultural practices and identity of an ethnic group. Undoubtedly, kava (Piper methysticum) is the cultural keystone species for many Oceanic and Pacific peoples; a “differentiating element of common culture” (Zagefka, 2016, p. 761) informing their ethno-cultural identity. That influence is also extending to new non-Pacific Island user groups who have embraced elements of kava ethno-cultural identity in what has been termed diasporic identity formation in reverse. This chapter will discuss kava with specific reference to ethnic positionality in Fiji, while recognising the tensions from inside and outside the region that support and threaten the continuance of the kava drinking tradition.

year: 2021

title: Older adult education in a New Zealand university: Developments and issues

authors: Findsen, Brian

abstract: This article explores a case study of educational provision for older adults in the context of continuing education in one of New Zealand’s universities. It explains how developments in older adult education at the University of Waikato have reflected historical and cultural trends related to the wider field of adult and community education (ACE) inside a higher education setting. It discusses issues of tertiary education policy and funding, what constitutes curriculum and provision for older adults and how university-community partnerships have shaped opportunities for both indigenous Māori and Pakeha (European) seniors. Government removal of funding to all universities in New Zealand for ACE at the end of 2012 ended formal provision but older adult education groups, formerly supported by the Centre for Continuing Education in the University of Waikato, have assumed a more proactive stance in planning and implementing their own programmes.

text: Older adult education in a New Zealand university: Developments and issues This article explores a case study of educational provision for older adults in the context of continuing education in one of New Zealand’s universities. It explains how developments in older adult education at the University of Waikato have reflected historical and cultural trends related to the wider field of adult and community education (ACE) inside a higher education setting. It discusses issues of tertiary education policy and funding, what constitutes curriculum and provision for older adults and how university-community partnerships have shaped opportunities for both indigenous Māori and Pakeha (European) seniors. Government removal of funding to all universities in New Zealand for ACE at the end of 2012 ended formal provision but older adult education groups, formerly supported by the Centre for Continuing Education in the University of Waikato, have assumed a more proactive stance in planning and implementing their own programmes.

year: 2014