American Samoa Proverbs (50)

Traditional proverbs of American Samoa in Khmer and English — each with its meaning and source.

E lele le toloa ae ma'au i le vai.

“The wild duck flies far and wide, but it always returns to the water.”

No matter how far a person travels or how long they are away, they will always return home to their family and roots.

Source: Traditional Samoan proverb (fa'a Samoa), shared heritage across American Samoa and independent Samoa, public-domain oral tradition

O le ala i le pule o le tautua.

“The path to authority is through service.”

In Samoan society, chiefly status and leadership are earned through years of humble service to family and village, never simply inherited or seized.

Traditional American Samoa Wisdom

Source: Traditional Samoan proverb (fa'a Samoa), shared heritage across American Samoa and independent Samoa, public-domain oral tradition

E pala ma'a ae le pala 'upu.

“Stones decay, but words do not decay.”

A promise or vow given in formal oratory endures and binds a person long after physical things have crumbled away.

Traditional American Samoa Wisdom

Source: Traditional Samoan proverb (fa'a Samoa), shared heritage across American Samoa and independent Samoa, public-domain oral tradition

E sui faiga ae tumau fa'avae.

“Ways and customs may change, but the foundation remains constant.”

Even as daily life adapts to modern times, the core values and foundations of fa'a Samoa endure beneath the surface changes.

Traditional American Samoa Wisdom

Source: Traditional Samoan saying (fa'a Samoa), shared heritage across American Samoa and independent Samoa, public-domain oral tradition

Teu le va.

“Tend carefully to the space between us.”

The relational space between people, families, and generations must be nurtured and respected, since harmony depends on how well that space is cared for.

Traditional American Samoa Wisdom

Source: Traditional Samoan proverbial value (fa'a Samoa), shared heritage across American Samoa and independent Samoa, public-domain oral tradition

Amuia le masina, e alu ma sau.

“Blessed is the moon, for it goes and it returns.”

Unlike the moon, which can leave and always come back, a person separated from loved ones by distance cannot simply return at will — a lament of longing.

Traditional American Samoa Wisdom

Source: Traditional Samoan proverb and song reference (fa'a Samoa), shared heritage across American Samoa and independent Samoa, public-domain oral tradition

Ua motu le fau.

“The binding cord has been broken.”

Spoken of a family or social bond that has been severed, drawing on the image of the plaited fau cord traditionally used to bind and connect kin and duties together.

Traditional American Samoa Wisdom

Source: Traditional Samoan proverb (fa'a Samoa), shared heritage across American Samoa and independent Samoa, public-domain oral tradition

O le upega e fili i le po, 'ae tatala i le ao.

“The fishing net is knotted in the night, but untangled in the morning.”

Conflicts and grievances are best set aside overnight and resolved calmly the next day, rather than argued while emotions run high.

Traditional American Samoa Wisdom