Young Samoans need their language—minister

Press, 24 February 1986, Page 22

Young Samoans need their language—minister

Promotion of the Samoan language will be one of the main aims of the Christchurch Samoan Christian Congregational Church’s new minister, the Rev. Tumama Vlli. Mr Vili said he was concerned that secondgeneration and third-gen-eration Samoans in Christchurch were unable to speak the language. “I feel it is very important to keep the language alive, because when you lose the language you also lose the customs,” he said.

“I don’t see any problem in being able to speak two languages.” Mr Vili said that many young Samoans, who were trying to live a European life without knowing about their own customs, were becoming confused about

their identity. The Church was trying to raise about $20,000 to renovate the hall which adjoins the church at the corner of Colombo Street and Brougham Street. The hall needed a new roof, and painting, said Mr Vili.

The hall was a focal meeting point for the 300 members of the parish. It was used mostly for recreation, dancing, and for the promotion of Samoan cultural arts and customs,

as well as for talks and Bible studies, said Mr Vili. The Church had applied to the Maori and South Pacific Arts Council for money for the renovations.

Mr Vili, who took over from the previous minister, the Rev. Temo Pati, a month ago, was lecturing at the Malua Theological College in Western Samoa for four years before his appointment to Christchurch.