To introduce students how other culture resolve conflict, Michael
Ligaliga and students were gathered to learn about Ifoga - a Samoan atonement
of apology and ritual of forgiveness sponsored by David O McKay Intercultural
Peacebuilding on March 14 in McKay Foyer.
Ifoga – means bowing down
in the Samoan language – is a traditional and physical ritual apology for the guiltty
party demonstrates remorse by begging for forgiveness in Samoa
culture. It has been practiced over 200 years with the aim to ten le va
(maintain a good relationship), said Ligaliga.
Before dawn, the guilty party arrives with gifts and kneels outside
the house of the offended party. Once the offended party decides to accept the
ifoga, they take the mat that covers the guilty party which symbolizes
atonement and forgiveness. Then both parties would have a feast together as a
symbol of peace again.
An important part of ifoga is the fine mat which symbolizes a high value
in Samoan culture. This leave-made mat can be very costly and takes years to
complete, according to Ligaliga. He said his family has a mat that cost over
US$10,000.
An ifoga might take place when people commit wrong doing such as rape,
murder, beat near death, insect, or adultery.
As a collectivism society like China, harmony has an important
function in the Samoan culture. He said, “When Samoan first meet, they ask ‘who
is your parent?’ In Samoan culture, there is no such a concept ‘me’ but ‘us’. A
person is a relational being and we are all apart of the circle.”
In another words, everything gets affected when there is something
goes wrong. Ligaliga said, “It is like the Samoan proverb says ‘stone maybe
reduced to sand but words never decay’.”
Shame is a key element that makes the ritual powerful. “Shame in
ifoga can be best explained by another Samoan proverb ‘I rather die than being
shame’. It is similar to the English slang ‘take it for the team’,” said
Ligaliga.
Since it is considered as shame to offend others and also shame in
not accepting an ifoga, it is the first option in Samoan culture to stop a
conflict. He said, “I’ve never heard a rejection to ifoga my life. But if an
ifoga ever be rejected, the offenders would leave but come back soon and try
again.”
Besides harmony and shame, fear also plays an important role in the
ritual. “Nothing can be hidden under the sun,” Ligaliga explained with a Samoan
proverb. “People fear to be punished by God and Aitu (supernatural) because all punishment will always be revealed
in a due time. Children might suffer from the parents’ wrong doing.”
“Although ifoga is a powerful practice to maintain peace in Samoa, it might not able to be understood to the west,”
said Ligaliga.
Sarah
Yeung, communication sophomore from Hong Kong,
said she can relate ifoga to Chinese culture. “Hong Kong
is still pretty collectivism although it is highly westernize. We have similar rituals
like kneel, bow down, and offer tea. Traditionally, we also offer gifts like
food or money. Today, we still give present as an offering and visit the family
for apology.”
Chantel
Hunt, an anthropology senior from Utah,
said she expected to learn how peace is built outside the west. She said, “I
don’t know much about Samoan culture and I want to see the alternately want of
conflict resolution. A western worldview sometimes makes a conflict resolution
more difficult. We should learn from the collectivism culture.”
Clover Cheng
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