Ifoga Demonstrated for New Zealand Judiciary Delegation
Judiciary delegates who traveled from New Zealand, were treated with a demonstration of a Samoan Ifoga , on Wednesday of this week with members of the Mau Movement in Vaimoso welcoming respected guests with a rich cultural presentation.
Photo: Anetone Sagaga/ Eyespy Radio Samoa
The event which took place at the Mau Movement's headquarters in Vaimoso village was seen packed with a manifold of people who attended, witnessing the event and to also welcome the jurisdiction members from New Zealand.
Amongst the many delegates that witnessed the workshop was Honourable Aupito William Sio, of Samoan descent and also a former member of Aoteroa's Parliamentary system. Aupito, served as the Minister of Pacific Peoples , Associate Minister of Justice and also Associate Minister of Courts in New Zealand.
Honourable Aupito William Sio
Photo: Anetone Sagaga/ Eyespy Radio Samoa
Chief Justice of Samoa, Satiu Simativa Perese also attended the demonstration and briefed some of the delegates with insights of how the cultural ceremony is carried out.
Members of the Mau Movement depicted an example of a proper and usual "ifoga" with some members acting as the remorseful encounters and some acting as the family of the victim.
One of Samoa's cultural customs was performance; the "IFOGA" executed by the members of the Vaimoso village together with members from M.J.C.A( Ministry of Justice, Courts & Administration). This is one Samoas most respected traditions which is used to absolve or forgive someone from a community in a village or family of remorse.
The Ministry of Justice and Administration has achieved its goal of informing the public about legal issues in order to prevent the Aotearoa New Zealand Court of Justice from examining the situation since the Court of Samoa uses this custom and culture when making decisions in court.
Gifts were then presented by members of the Vaimoso village to the judiciary guests of New Zealand , and a get together cultural dance to celebrate cultural diversity and values. The New Zealand delegates acknowledged and thank the people of Samoa for a thorough and yet successful demonstration.
Photo: Anetone Sagaga/ Eyespy Radio Samoa