Sogi Relocation and the Melanesianization of a Samoan problem
Written by Dr Asenati Liki-Chan Tung
Thursday, 01 May 2008
By Dr Asenati Liki-Chan Tung of The University of the South Pacific, Alafua Campus
Presented at the Samoa Association of Women Graduates Luncheon Seminar.
I have come today not armed with the high-tech equipment of the contemporary professional with a visual presentation on power point. Neither do I pretend to be an expert in the issue of Sogi relocation. But I have come with an open mind and a humble spirit to offer some thoughts from a critical scholarly perspective that is grounded on personal experience and insight.
My 78-year old mother, a first generation Melanesian-Samoan woman was born in Sogi. Her ten siblings were also born in Sogi. My grandfather, Saloi, from Buka – which was part of former German New Guinea, and today constitutes part of Solomon Islands - was a founding member of the Sogi Congregational Christian Church. It was in Sogi that my Melanesian grandfather and my Samoan grandmother of le aiga Sā Mulipolā in Manono met and lived for many years.
In a way, I feel like a diasporic Samoan in LA or Sydney, somehow feeling distant from the homeland and birthplace of my parents. But I am simultaneously and paradoxically drawn to it. Conventional history informs my thinking that my mother’s birthplace – Sogi – is not a real village. Not only it is a swamp (flashing reminders of Shrek!) but also its inhabitants are not full Samoans, or what one writer in a recent issue of the Samoa Observer calls the Solomonese or the Solomonese-Samoans! But in spite of my seemingly loose connection to the place, Sogi remains important for several reasons. It was the contact point of two cultures - Samoan and Melanesian. It was where the dark muscular bodies of the Tama uli melted the hearts of Samoan women laborers (and yes, indeed, there were Samoan women laborers under New Zealand colonial administration), and led those women to ignore the prejudices of their ‘aiga and Samoan missionaries against Melanesian laborers. They eloped with their Tama uli lovers!
These earlier happenings in Sogi preceded more established Melanesian-Samoan connections in the following decades, as noted in a recent article by prominent Samoan writer, Tunumafono Afemata Apelu Aiavao (Samoa Observer, 13 April 2008)
Part of my family moved to Sogi in 1930, and have been living there ever since. Uncle Ula, husband of my father’s sister, began working as driver for the General Managers of NZRE, now WSTEC, from the same year. My father brought our family to Sogi in 1940, to be near his sister, and to enable us to go to school at St Mary’s at Savalalo and other schools in Apia, while he worked at NZRE. And for 20 years altogether I lived at Sogi, till I could afford to buy my own place elsewhere. But part of my family still lives there. So I know the place. I know the stream from Fugalei to the sea. I know very well the mangrove areas which have been reclaimed by the business people at Fugalei…
Sogi is also important for it was the ‘hearth’ of European colonial practices in Samoa. From decisions made in the Sogi headquarters emerged satellite plantations that characterized Samoa’s colonial landscape. Decisions quietly made in Sogi, and supposed to be confidential, were displayed publicly through the structure and language of the plantation world. The visual reality of colonial governing was apparent in the symmetry of plantings and the precision with which the height of coconut trees were controlled, and the distances between trees were calculated. In plantations, the very practice of planting signified not only a colonial ‘fashioning’ of Samoan native lands but the idea of ‘perfecting’ the ‘idle’ lands of the Samoan people. Seen as empty, accessible and commercially enticing, Samoan land needed to be mapped, measured, divided, owned and ‘perfected’. These metaphors of cultivation ultimately contrast the two landscapes of colonial Samoa – the plantations and the ‘idle’ lands of the native people. The colonials insisted on plantations as ‘ordered’ and ‘settled’ landscapes, which have been made human through a vision of empire and light on a savage frontier.
The estates in Mulifanua, Vaitele, Vailele, Tuanaimato and Suisega in Upolu, and Ologogo and Lata in Savaii – all entail a story of the reordering of the natural environment through capitalist activities of the colonial companies. And for this reordering process to take effect Melanesian and Chinese laborers were needed to humanize the ‘settled’ landscapes. Indeed, instructions for the management and daily operation of these estates came from Sogi.
So what does this experience have to do with Sogi relocation?
I see history repeating itself in the situation of Sogi today. Sogi relocation echoes the colonial excuses of the 19th century : Sogi residents are blocking the stream at Fugalei meaning an environmental hazard; the impact of Sogi residents on the mangrove forest is a concern to government and we need to save the breeding places of tugage and anae; we need to save the Sogi people from the rising sea level; Sogi families are expanding and overcrowding will be a problem; Sogi residents would need to own an asset, a freehold quarter acre land at Falelauniu/Nuu. Put bluntly, Sogi is a hassle. Sogi hinders ‘development’. Swampy Sogi needs to be elevated and ‘perfected’. And this can be achieved through relocation. And relocation under the conditions set by the ruling administration!
The colonial experiences of the villages of Satuimalufilufi, Satapuala, Siumu, Vaitele and Vailele in Upolu, and Salailua in Savaii, resulted in the marginalization of many from these communities. These villages made a huge sacrifice, relocating from their lands to some other parts of Samoa, all in the name of business development and profit making. And we all know that land is at the heart of Samoan identity. Without land, Samoan people are empty and powerless. We have no roots and there can be no meaning to our existence.
But Sogi sits on Government land. This is Government’s argument. It’s the same argument that Government holds for the case of Vaitele. Interestingly enough, Government pays no attention to the Melanesian composition of Sogi’s population. This is a smart political ploy. Government is silent on the history of Sogi; just as it is silent on the histories of Vaitele, Satapuala and Siumu, and how such histories are dear to the hearts of those connected to these places. Sogi’s history is an ugly one - of exploitation, violence and victimization. And I don’t blame government for not venturing into it.
The focus on the Melanesian-ness of Sogi and its residents is something that came out of recent media discussions about the relocation. Members of the public expressed their concerns about the injustice involved and an authoritarian approach by Government. Public concerns are underpinned by respect for universal principles of social justice and equality of opportunity. To me, however, this Melanesianization of Sogi may not work to the benefit of their case. The Melanesianization approach implies the foreignness of Sogi residents; the absence of Samoan genealogies among them. It also portrays the colonial image of a marginalized, ‘out-of-the-way’ community. In fact, it may give more weight to Government’s view that emphasizes state-ownership of Sogi land. The Melanesianization argument focuses on the past. It tries to awaken an historical ghost that Government is trying to bury (or rebury). Government’s line of reasoning emphasizes today – the good and benefit for all Samoans, today
I’d like to think that the case of Sogi is not entirely isolated from those of the Samoan villages mentioned earlier. And we know about the on-going court cases involving these places. The Melanesianization approach may serve to isolate the case of Sogi and weaken its position in the current debate. In the Melanesianization argument there is a certain degree of misrepresentation of Sogi as the village of Melanesian descendants. This is not entirely true given the intermarriage of Tama uli and Samoan women in the early 20th century and hence all their descendants have Samoan genealogies. In addition, Sogi constitutes only about ten percent of Samoans with Melanesian ancestry. Ninety percent resides in other parts of Samoa and overseas. Based on these facts, I would argue that instead of emphasizing the Melanesian aspect of the place, I think the argument should place a bit more weight on its Samoan connection – the kinds of connection that I mentioned in the beginning of this presentation. The sort of argument that lays emphasis on the “suli of Samoa” issue as raised by Le Tagaloa Dr Pitapola. He argues persuasively that “Sogi matai and their suli must be protected under the Matai Government of Samoa, and any economic development in the Siamani area of Apia including Sogi…must be done to protect and enhance the life of Samoan Matai and Suli settled in these areas” (Samoa Observer, 1 April, 2008).
From this perspective, Sogi Community should be entitled to a fairer compensation deal. A deal that is based on the recognition of one simple fact, that for Sogi residents, Samoa is home. There is no other home for them. If our Melanesian ancestors came from distant islands, it was not as conquerors but as victims of history, as cheap labour in Germany’s Imperial Design. It was the same victimization and exploitation experienced by our Samoan ancestors who also became laborers in colonial plantations.
A fairer deal for Sogi must be influenced by the fact that Sogi residents are Samoans with locally-rooted genealogies, and are entitled to a better deal. The call to have pity on this community because of the colonial experiences of their forefather and foremothers will not help. It will only serve as a reminder to them as each day dawns that they are ‘marooned’ in Samoa.
It is likely that Sogi relocation will go ahead (no-one seems to be able to revert Government’s decisions these days!). But, as I have argued in this presentation, a fairer settlement must be negotiated. And in order to reach that, Sogi negotiators must play the right cards. And for the rest of us who stand in the sideline, silently praying and hoping for a sound resolution, I ask you to accept this expression of our support for justice and respect. For I too share your dream. Soifua.
Government of the people not for the people written by Jack,
May 01, 2008
Lately it seems like the government is not listening to the people and their concerns. The way I see it, the government is more power driven trying to prove a point that they are in charge than serving the people of Samoa. The MPs are more concerns about Keeping their jobs within the party than serving the people that elected them. The people of Samoa will be suffering because of the division in the status of the people. The richer gets richer and the poor gets poorer. Leave Sogi alone and get a better engineering group to survey the area for flood protection. It does not take a rock scientist to figure out that most of Apia area are below the see level. Elevate Apia and have new building codes with the elevation both land and bldgs.
Thankyou for the History Lesson written by Sam Afa,
May 01, 2008
I came away from reading this article a little more enlightened about the history of our Melanesian counterparts. A very informative and concise executive summary if you will. Interestingly enough I am a former student of Dr Asenati but I never had any insight as to her background. Dr Asenati presents an interesting angle from a "geneology" perspective which actually does make a good argument. The Melanesians brought here by colonial entrepreneurship have immersed themselves in our society and culture. Unfortunately they often are easily segmented from the Samoa mainstream based on the "tama uli" aspect of their appearence. Ask them if they think they are more Melanesian or Samoan? My guess is that its the latter. Yet the govt aproaches it as the former. Clever way to put a convenient spin on the relocation plan. There will be no equity for the residents of Sogi if the approach that govt takes is flawed from the outset. Kudos Dr Asenati for identifying the flaw and enlightening us. Hopefully the issue is not labelled, as the old clique says, as "academic". Because yes it seems the govt does what it wants these days. While the facts are pondered by academics.
feololo written by ace,
May 03, 2008
Manaia le manatu o Dr, ae o lona faalavelave foi, e le o ta'ua Sogi i lalo o se suafa matai e pei o eleele Samoa (traditional land) uma e i lalo o le pule faamatai. A fai na o mai tama uli meli pe fetaui foi ma teine hamo i luga o lea fasi eleele o na faaee lea o le gafa o Dr, e tatau la na fai se finauga e fai lea fasi eleele e tau o Sogi ma faasao e "faamataaga" e pei o se museum, aua o le mea na faaivi ai le mata o tama uli ia teine Samoa ma suia ai loa le igoa Sogi ia "faaivi-ga-mata" aua le turisi maimoa mai fafo.
A fua la i lea fasi finauga ua ou ta'ua ma faatusa i le manatu o Dr, o na tatou maua lea o le mea e tatau lava o na i ai. O le fesili, o ai la e anaia moni lava lea oga mea ua tau o Sogi? O le tali, o le toeaina o Tugane. Aua na usu Tugane ia Aa-togo faaee le gafa o le fanau e toatele o lo o tigaina fafine Vaiusu, Vaitele, Toamua ma isi nuu e la'u mai i le maketi. Na faapena foi le usuga a Anae po'a ia Anae fafine, o Avaava po'a ia Avaava fafine o i latou lava na na uluai faaipoipo i lea oga lalolagi ua ta'ua nei o Sogi, ma e tele atu la latou aia i Sogi na i lo tama uli ma teine hamo. O fea la le amiotonu i nei mea?
Ave suli o teine hamo ma tama uli i Falelauniu, ae tuu le pule i le aiga Sa-Tugane, Sa-Avaava ma Sa-Anae aua o i latou ia na mua i malae, o i latou foi na sa molimau i taimi na fai ai le faaivi-ga-mata.
ia manuia outou matua, ae ola i matou le fanau ia manuia le aso Sa o tamaiti
Insight written by davis,
May 04, 2008
Thank you Dr. Ansenati. Didn't know too much about the' Melanesian Connection' in Samoa, but I knew it was there like most people. With so many 'Afekasi's' in Samoa.... why is the government putting a 'Racial' spin on this issue?
... written by Olo,
May 04, 2008
The government isn't putting a racial spin on this. It is the media and certain letter-writers to the media who are putting a racial spin on this matter.
Camel written by Real Hamo,
May 05, 2008
Its such an interesting topic and am intrigued by the many events that went on afterwards as per the Drs dialogue. However, Sogi people to be relocated is very much an issue I am personally unwilling to support. Why should the Samoan govt be responsible in allocating more lands to these people.
I recalled in the early 1990s, that each families in Sogi were allocated a piece of land at Vaitele, some of these areas were right opposite the Vaitele EFKS church, which is prime land if compared to the other Vaitele dwellings. And I know personally that some of them took on the option of selling these lands and decided to remain in Sogi while using the money for whatever reasons.
My question to Dr Liki is to look in to this issue of land exploitation because no one in its true mind is to be rewarded with 2 peices of land.
By the way we never brought u over to Samoa so why should we be responsible in the relocation. If u cannot agree with wherever u will be sent to, then the only solution is to GO HOME to the Solomon Islands, u might be given free lands there.
Dr written by sailiemanu lilomaiava,
May 08, 2008
Faafetai Dr Asenati. This is an informative, well argued and balanced story of this part of Samoan history that is not well known and not even taught during the colonial and our present education/school curriculum. But these histories and their often ugly divisive categories and language should be exposed and then stamped out for the ignorance that they breed. The terms afakasi, afasaina, afameauli, etc now tamauli and teine uli, are labels that were used to describe descendants of these marriages. Samoa and its culture has been enriched by these unions; affairs of the heart are what makes the world go round and round. It is with great pride and huge credit to our faa-Samoa that our lineages and genealogies entitle suli whether they are full-Samoan, afa-Samoa, kuata or whatever or afa-palagi afa-saina, afa-meauli, afa-niue, afa-tonga they are suli "heirs", flesh and blood of our aiga). This means that they have a right to land, titles as kin members who fully participate, obligate and reciprocate in everyday faa-Samoa. Let us not point fingers at who and when and what was done, there is more than meets the eye with what government is doing these days. Before we jump the gun on Sogi residents the government (representatives of the people) in whatever policies they wish to implement must go through proper channels and procedures of a democratic nation! Pitting people against people and subterfuge calculations are divisive politics. We as a people should and must refrain from such tactics. Our cousins in Aotearoa and Hawaii are in constant struggle to revive indigenous notions of family and what it is to be Hawaiian in their own terms. Unfortunately, their present situations have been determined largely by outside metropolitan powers mainly the United States and United Kingdom. Our forefathers and foremothers have though hard for our independence not for a select few or those in power, but for all the Samoan people. So that we and those in leadership roles must do our utmost n everything that we do to maintain and retain this legacy of "tofa mamao ma le tofa saili" for our future generations. May our leaders lead with love and integrity, care for one another irrespective of political party, and especially serving and doing what is just and good for Samoa and its people. Ia manuia le faasausauga i le mamalu ma le paia i si o tatou atunuu pele o Samoa. Soifua.
Remarkable written by Victoria Graduate,
May 11, 2008
Very interesting angle to take Dr Asenati.It is always fascinating to read about such academic history regarding how Samoa's society came to be.I read a cooment previously saying something about Samoa never brought the Solomon Is. recruits to work the plantations instead of hiring their own people.The thing is,whoever wrote that comment sounded like he/she was playing with the 'race' card, by saying and I quote, "we never brought you over to Samoa so why should we be responsible in the relocation?".The race card is a very risky and dangerous move to make.I am a graduate of Victoria Univeristy and it is safe to say that the reason why Solomon Islanders were recruited was because the Samoans were described as 'lazy' and lacked the potential to accumulate profits.It is implied that these recruits worked the land and helped developed the Samoan economy in the early days.Although, a few Samoans were indeed capable of stepping up to the challenge,and this saved the people from prolonged embarrassment.As part of a reciprocity act,the governement can,at the least,develop and implement some sort of policy to relocate the Sogi residents,if not then maybe improve their standard of living,both socially and physically.It might take time,but it can be done!After all,our PM and his current government can indeed accomplish anything..
Well done Dr Liki and keep inspiring us!
Camel written by JM,
May 11, 2008
Going home? Home, for Sogi people, is Sogi. They are not asking to move. The government is asking them to move. So if this is the government's idea, then surely the government should pay for relocation. That is what is being argued here.
hehehe!!! a good joke Victorian graduate!!! written by ace,
May 11, 2008
I am a graduate of the school called common sense which enlightened me concerning the ethnology of the Samoans of the past and even of today. Germany was a colonial power and their coconut slave driving (to the eyes of the Samoans of that time) wasn't something to be appreciated. Samoans of that time were not use to working to a set time like a machine that is turned on in the morning then turned off in the evening. To a Samoan, that was no life, however, there was a minority that championed the way of the white man (in terms of the way he calculated his work and the profits that followed etc). I guess they were slowly introduced to capitalism at that stage something which they found to be sweet. On the other hand, those that refused to work for the Germans found the colonial power's idea of slavery at the coconut plantations an affront to their way of thinking where the "sao" of the family was to be served not a foreigner like the colonial power. So just because the germans looked at the samoans of that time as lazy doesn't mean that their belief was based on facts. If they were facts, then my common sense tells me that they were facts based on "their own value system" and as pointed out, a value system that the samoans looked at as strange. So why don't you give back your degree to the university until your common sense is matured enough or inline with what theory you have learned from the institution?
Bold written by Victoria Graduate,
May 12, 2008
Seems the comment above has taken a critical personal angle.Im not so sure if youre a graduate of some prestigious University or if you ever graduated,but if you were indeed a graduate as I assmue you are,then youd clearly know what I am talking about.The Samoans being called 'lazy' was a comment made by the famous historian Michael King and was used by the Samoan historian Malama Meleisea,it was not intended to hurt or offend the Samoans but it was the truth.Now,I assume you are going to reply and call me a want-to-know-it-all sorta person.But this matter is not about how the Germans treated the people like they were slaves,slavery was in fact a part of colonial life.The Samoans dodging this system was unacceptable.It poses a theory that the Samoans were not capable,that is not the nature of the Samoa people.This is merely an argument concerning the Solomon Islanders and the Sogi villagers.And dont you ever, ever criticise the University like that,only a fool like yourself would do such an immature act like that.It suprises me considering youre from the school of common sense.So why dont YOU try to be a fully-fledged citizen and come to your senses that youre debating on the wrong track.
hehehe!!! it is nice to read more of your jokes Victorian graduate!!! written by ace,
May 12, 2008
Here is what you said in your argument against the person who wrote that "we never brought the solomon islanders to samoa so why we should be responsible for relocation?"
Victorain graduate: "I am a graduate of Victoria University and it is safe to say that the reason why Solomon Islanders were recruited was because the samoans were described as lazy and lack the potential to accumulate profits"
So Mr King made the comment that influenced the germans decision to bring in the solomons according to your joke and Meleisea endorsed the comment by using it to misinform you while you struggled to earn your degree? Who do you think you are fooling? hehehe!!! And it is sad if the graduates of Victoria University are just as misinformed as you.
It seems that the school of common sense has just taught you a lesson a ea?
The value system of the germans or that of Mr the King should not be used to judge the Samoans of that time, because the Samoans had a different one altogether as I have pointed out.
The argument from the learned Dr whose forefathers lived at Sogi states that "more weight should be put on the fact that her ancestors were descendants of matais as well hence qualified the Sogi people as sulis" (paraphrasing what she wrote). The problem is, though her ancestors were sulis of matai titles, I don't think they were sulis of the Mataafa title or other titles who have the right to this area (now known as Sogi). Dr also stated that Sogi was simply a swamp at the beginning, but if Meleisea or whoever taught you have done a good job on your brain, they should have taught you that the pule-faa-sao in the old Samoa comes from the "tuasivi to the ocean". That nullifies the argument that Sogi was only a swamp. If the learned Dr and her forefathers are descendants of the sao titles of the region (Faleata and othe villages) then Dr has a claim, otherwise, I have argued in samoan to leave the area to the tuganes, the avaavas and the anaes who were the original inhabitants of Sogi while the overstayers move to Falelauniu.
E a, are we still on the same track? hehehe!!
... written by asenati liki-chan tung,
May 12, 2008
Malo lava. Faafetai mo fautuaga lelei, faatupu manatu, faatatau i lenei pepa. E faamalulu atu foi pe afai ua sala se gagana a le auauna. O le pepa lava ia sa tusia e fa'aalia ai foi ni lagona i lenei mataupu o loo fetosoa'i faapa'utolo a loi i lenei vaitaimi e si o tatou malo; ma tali ai foi le valaau fa'aaloalo mai a le SAWG. O o'u lagona foi ua fa'aalia, o lagona na o a'u lava. E le o taea ai le lautele o le paia ma le mamalu o le afioaga i Sogi poo le paia foi o Aiga i Samoa atoa. Ou te malamalama foi, o manatu uma o i latou ua faaalia i lenei talanoaga, o lagona lava na o le tagata ia. Ma e sa'o lava le tagata i ona lagona, pei o lea upu.
Aua foi ne'i avea o tatou lagona faaalia i lenei mataupu ma mea e to'ia ai le va fealoaloa'i ma le ava fatafata. E maualuga tele ia te a'u le faatinoina o le agaga fa'aaloalo ma tausia pea lo tatou nofo fetufa'ai e ala i le faaalia o lagona ma manatu.
Faapitoa le faafetai mo Sam Afa (my former student) ma si a'u uo o Sailiemau. Faafetai le faasoa mai. O lena ua tuuina atu la'u email address, e mafai foi ona faasoa mai ai pe a tusa ai ma lou finagalo. Faamanuia tele le Atua i galuega ma aoaoga o feagai ai. Soifua. Asenati.
Haha Victoria University written by Olo,
May 12, 2008
Who cares what University you went to? Are we supposed to bow down and kiss Victoria University's pavements? Most people outside of NZ have never even heard of Victoria University.
I think the argument put by Dr Asenati of the NUS was much more succinct and holds more validity than the theory brought up by Victoria Graduate.
... written by Victoria Graduate,
May 12, 2008
Seriously..some people just dont no when to give up.And for whoever wrote the comment above,my goodness,are you insane?I am on the same side as Dr Liki.And for your information,both of you,whoever you are,I am one of the suli of the Solomon people.Im both German and Solomon.Dr Liki is a member of my aiga.So please do not waste my time with your childish arguments,maybe when you do get to write a thesis of your own then you can criticise all you want.And seriously,listen to yourself first before you write another comment,goodness sake you bring a bad name to the Samoan educators reputation!
And Ace..somehow,we will end up on the same track..youll see!
Honorable departure written by Victoria Graduate,
May 13, 2008
Ok Im pretty sure this is now more of a personal argument instead of arguing according to the issue.So I do apologise if whatever I said offended anyone.I also do apologise Dr Asenati(aunty Nati ) if we caused any inappropriate disturbances regarding your main area of study and interest.E le aoaia e laupua tamafaiga,ma oute talitonu e ao lava ona faalogo mulimai ia muamai..
Anyway,may you all have a blessed day and of course,Ace and Olo,this is your chance!Go hard guys..you two should join a debate team..
Take care and God bless..
malo written by ace,
May 13, 2008
Ae sao la Dr. ,,manuia lenei vaiaso ua amata Dr Asenati,,alofa tele atu i Samoa, Ace the Samoan to the bone.
Married to the land--Married to a lover written by Boy Scout,
May 15, 2008
Here in America for so many years, our laws made it so that if a man and woman lived together for about 7 years, they were considered under the law as married--in that, whatever belongings both had, they had to split them equally.
If I were ya'll, I think I would search the laws there to see if there is something similar--maybe having to do with agriculture--aquaculture or any such things under your laws.
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) if we caused any inappropriate disturbances regarding your main area of study and interest.E le aoaia e laupua tamafaiga,ma oute talitonu e ao lava ona faalogo mulimai ia muamai.. 
