So… I have no idea how panipopo - those decadent buns soaked in sweet, velvety coconut cream - became a Samoan thing. I know that bakeries in Samoa are amazing, and have been for ages. Even my grandparents talked about getting up before the sun, seleni (shilling) in...
Every Samoan should be proud to know these stories from our history. These will make great bedtime stories for the kids, too. Tongan King vs the Sons of Atiogie In the old old days (like from 1200 to 1300), Samoa was ruled by Tonga. For 100 years even! It's ancient...
Uso! (or Uce!) Toko! Siana! All terms we use - from different islands in the Pacific - to refer to our brothers. Our buds. Our ride-or-die boyeeeez. All good. But if you want to use the Samoan word uso correctly, especially if you're speaking with people (like your...
Here's a dish we most likely inherited from Asian settlers in the Pacific. Samoan curry is made with powdered Indian spices, but it isn't as strong or as fragrant as traditional curries. Instead it is creamier, with spices balanced in a soul-food kinda way by the...
First, you have to get someone in Samoa to send it to you. Preferably frozen (because of how it's seafood). My lovely aunt in Samoa surprised us this Christmas by sending her husband over with this for us: That's just a frozen mass of little green worms. I was so...
We have a funeral in the family this week. My mom's beautiful Aunt lived a long, full life and was called a few days ago to rest in Paradise. Typical of many Samoan funerals, Auntie won't be buried until early next week. In the meantime, the family is spending a lot...
I'm a firm supporter of public transport - yay for saving the ozone layer and gas money! lol - and yesterday, when I got on the bus for my hour-and-a-bit-long commute home, I spotted a little, elderly couple huddled together in their seats, half way down the aisle. As...
I lost my camera. It happened maybe two years ago, around the time my house was broken into... twice, even, in less than 3 months (bloody South Auckland street kids). The thing is, I didn't even notice it was gone until a few weeks later. Or maybe I did notice, but...