Mulifanua Primary School united to celebrate the importance of the Samoan culture yesterday.

The school compound was covered with a variety of beautiful puletasi colours and elei worn by every student. 

At the cook house (umukuka), everyone was trying to get the umu prepared with its smoke impossible to miss. 

The school’s annual programme is in line with the core curriculum of Social Studies relating to Samoan culture in Years 1, 2 and 3. 

Mulifanua Primary School has more than 400 students. They were divided into four teams during the event - Puataunofo, Teuila, Aute and Mosooi.

One of the teachers, Lonetona Mataena told Samoa Observer that the Samoan culture is something that defines each and every one of us.

“The purpose of celebrating it every year is for the future generation to be reminded of the life that our ancestors have created for us.

“How to cook Samoan food, how to celebrate the Samoan culture by making these children look back to our traditions and customs, especially with the work we do in kitchens (umukuka).”

Donna believes these responsibilities that Samoa people used to deal with back then in the kitchen is different to what we have now. 

“There’s so much changes in our world today, especially our own culture, like for example, back in the days we used to serve our elders using ‘laulau’ eating mats the young ones are the last one to eat.

“Nowadays, our children have no knowledge about how to prepare anything anymore.

“So having culture day every year is a great reminder to our young ones to keep our culture in their heart and never lose it.

“We see so many different materials such as ovens, tables and all that, but in the real Samoan culture, during preparation, it’s nothing like this.

“So it’s interesting to see these young ones showing interest today in preparing suamoa and other Samoan food, so hopefully they do the same in their own homes and continue when they grow older.

“That’s why this day is so important because it’s not just about learning what it means for culture, but it’s also about actually seeing the Samoan culture come to life.”