Indigenous Knowledge And Language In Samoa And Fiji 1

Running head: INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE IN SAMOA AND FIJI 1

Indigenous Knowledge and Language in Samoa And Fiji

Name

Course

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE IN SAMOA AND FIJI 2

Indigenous Knowledge and Language in Samoa And Fiji

Indigenous knowledge refers to the skills and philosophies that societies develop during

the long historical interactions with the natural environment. Local knowledge dictates essential

decision-making process for indigenous people in their daily life. It is so complex that it entails

different cultural aspects such as language, ritual, practices on resource use and social

interactions. Indigenous language, on the other hand, is the language which is native to a

particular region or country and only the indigenous people speak it. In most cases, the

indigenous language is from a distinct community which has stayed in that region for several

generations (Semali & Kincheloe 2002). Arguably, the indigenous knowledge and language have

some significant implication on the Pacific and its people specifically to Fiji and Samoa as it

impacts the development, culture, and history of several generations.

The most outstanding impact of indigenous knowledge and language seen in the Pacific

region explicitly by the Samoan citizens is the national development. The development of the

individual citizens in Samoa has been realized in different aspects such as socially, politically,

economically and even by conservation of cultural values. This has been possible due to the use

of indigenous languages and has resulted in the promotion of cohesion, unity and well-being of

all citizens. According to Wendt, Fuamatu, Whaitiri, & Filipo (2014), the indigenous knowledge

and use of local language play a fundamental role on critical issues involving the whole nation

such as democracy and linguistic globalization. The impact has been so prominent in Samoa that

the country lives in complete harmony. There are no kinds of conflict or rumors of war as

witnessed in countries that lack unity.

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE IN SAMOA AND FIJI 3

The Samoan oral cultural knowledge and use of native language has been a significant

tool for transfer of knowledge and history for several generations. The Samoan culture is,

therefore, one which has been passed for generations and there is no chance of being extinct.

Their history has been written through rituals, dances, songs and names used for people and

places. The several dances teach the current generations of the great achievements of their

ancestors other than reminding them of their great history. Such an example of the Samoan dance

is the dance ritual of Solosolo. The rich knowledge in culture has also attracted other people all

over the world. The impact has been great in preservation of history and the maintenance of

ethnic pride which are all essential for personal development.

Indigenous people in Samoa and Fiji hold an extensive wealth of knowledge even though

that knowledge has not been realized by the western cultures. The understandings of the non-

indigenous world can only be achieved through the indigenous knowledge. This has been

recognized and tested in education because educators now use first people’s principles in

learning as the most effective approach to support deep learning and respond to the needs of the

learners. This type of knowledge includes the ecological, scientific and traditional knowledge.

Indigenous knowledge is often dynamic and adaptable and is connected to specific geographical

area such as the Pacific other than being based on skills and techniques of problem-solving.

The Itaukei (indigenous Fijians) take pride in the rich knowledge they possess. This has a

major implication in the world of science. This proves the fact that there are a number of

additional perspectives of science that the western science does not reflect. The incorporation of

other perspectives and knowledge not contained in the science of the west help to widen the

worldview of people and also help in understanding the relationship between the earth and the

environment. When this incorporation is done, there is a potential possibility of resolving social,

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE IN SAMOA AND FIJI 4

cultural and most importantly the environmental crises that have a general impact on all

humanity. According to Kawagley & Barnhardt (1998), a rich knowledge can be got if the

incorporation of indigenous knowledge is done to western science and much solution facing

humanity will be solved.

Indigenous knowledge of Fijian and the Samoan also has a major implication on English

language arts. A great example is the interpretation of stories. The meaning of story as defined

from first principles is different too as it is taught in the English language arts. To the Fijians and

the Samoans, stories refer to narratives which are mostly presented orally in the traditional

context. They are used in teaching skills, conveying news, explaining the natural worlds,

recording the cultural histories and most importantly to transmit cultural values and morals. The

stories have become the evolving part of the indigenous culture and this is evidenced by

storytellers creating spoken words and even music. Inclusion of indigenous literature in the

modern English language arts is understood to be very important because it provides a platform

from which literature originates.

The integration of the indigenous knowledge of the Samoan and the Fijian in all areas of

curricular is relevant and culturally responsive and it has ensured success for many students who

are conservative of their cultures. The inclusion of first people’s principles is, however, more

culturally relevant and is absolutely necessary for increasing the understanding of what is taught

(Gay, G.2010). The knowledge and language of first people’s principle are fundamental in the

integration process more so in classrooms. These knowledge and language are never taught

anywhere, but they form part of the collective history which is passed over to generations and

contemporary knowledge acquired in the process. This integration in a classroom setting implies

that it requires the educators to develop first by understanding; to act like learners.

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE IN SAMOA AND FIJI 5

The native languages vary between the Fijians and the Samoans. Although the nations are

all located in the Pacific islands, they have different native languages. There is no one or

common language spoken or used by all pacific islanders even though they are closely located.

This, however, does not prevent the implication that the native language has to both countries.

The Polynesia language mostly spoken in these islands have impacted a lot on individual

countries. The native languages act as unique identifiers of the individual nations and form part

of their contemporary culture. The language dictates how the indigenous people of the nation

think, how the share information other than expressing opinions. The indigenous language of the

Samoan people have been vital in understanding their culture since a lot of information is lost no

matter how well translation is done (Thaman, 2003).

The implication of indigenous knowledge originates from the fact that it is tied to a

specific group explicitly. And this grows as a cultural knowledge even though it may attract

influences from other backgrounds. The relationship between indigenous knowledge and native

language is so intimate that they both define the identity of both Samoa and Fiji. The indigenous

knowledge can be recognized for the great traditional goals it has achieved other than being seen

in the context of contemporary. This will help in major appreciation of processes of knowledge

transfer over the generations. The harmony created through this has also resulted in the Fijians

and Samoans holding a common perspective concerning schooling as well as knowledge.

The understanding of the implication of indigenous language and knowledge can be

better if compared to a forest. The realization that the forest lacks rice, wheat nor cotton explains

it better. The forests just contain wild plants out of which the past generations grew food and

cash crops. Out of these forests, large landraces have been claimed and have formed the basis of

agriculture. The same scenario applies to the Fijian and Samoan nations. Their native language

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE IN SAMOA AND FIJI 6

and knowledge have formed the basis of everything that the citizens of both the nations enjoy.

Fiji is currently known for its excellent performance in rugby. The implication of this is that the

use of native language has brought them together and better understanding of their abilities

through sharing of knowledge has ensured their success in rugby game.

The implication that the indigenous knowledge has on the health sector in these two

nations cannot simply be ignored. The knowledge of the Fijian in the use of medicinal plants and

animals has helped grown their health economy. The technology of using these medicinal plants

to cure certain diseases belong to the indigenous community of Fijians and so remains their

property. A lot of income has been generated through this and this has contributed to the national

development of this nation. Foreign nations have acquired about this technology and through

sharing of knowledge, payment of these services is mandatory. Other than growth in economy,

the individuals of Fiji have grown health wise due to their knowledge. To ensure that this

knowledge stays forever, it is passed over to generations (Willis, 2018).

Although several positive impacts of indigenous and native language exist, there exists

the risk of losing these resources if not well looked upon. The rate of loss of cultural values and

traditions in these two countries is high. This means that the Samoan and Fijian cultures like

rituals, beliefs and even values are becoming extinct. The rich indigenous knowledge cannot also

be passed to generations and in the process is lost. The primary cause of this has been the effects

of the westerns. The locals have abandoned their cultures in pursuit of the western cultures and

losing their traditions and knowledge in the process.

In conclusion, there are several implications of indigenous knowledge and language

facing Samoa and Fiji as discussed. The implications cover several areas such as health,

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE IN SAMOA AND FIJI 7

education, social life and economy at large among other areas. The knowledge is very precious

and should be preserved to ensure that it is passed to the next generation. The implications exist

in every country because every community possesses its own native language.

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE IN SAMOA AND FIJI 8

References

Gay, G. (2010). Culturally responsive teaching: Theory, research, and practice. Teachers

College Press.

Kawagley, A. O., & Barnhardt, R. (1998). Education indigenous to place: Western science meets

native reality.

Semali, L. M., & Kincheloe, J. L. (2002). What is indigenous knowledge?: Voices from the

academy. Routledge.

Suaalii-Sauni, T. M., Wendt, M. A., Fuamatu, N., Va’ai, U. L., Whaitiri, R., & Filipo, S. L.

(Eds.). (2014). Whispers and vanities: Samoan indigenous knowledge and religion. Huia

Publishers.

Thaman, K. H. (2003). Decolonizing Pacific studies: Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and

wisdom in higher education. The Contemporary Pacific, 15(1), 1-17.

Willis, S. (2018). Indigenous Knowledge: Its role in education. In African Science

Education (pp. 45-67). Routledge.

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."

Indigenous knowledge and language in Samoa and Fiji 1

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

Ian McGregor

Shannon Williams