Climate Change Adaptation and
Indigenous people in Samoa
By: Leota Pepe Pa’i
Country: Independent State of Samoa
Presentation Outline
∗ Introduction
∗ Indigenous Knowledge/Traditional
Thinking
∗ What does climate change mean to you?
∗ Climate Change Adaptation
∗ Challenges faced
∗ The Way forward
∗ Message from Leota Pepe of Sili Savaii,
Samoa
Geographical Location
Samoa
Pop – 186, 340 (2011 census)
Capital – Apia
Land area – 2820km2
Climate and Weather
Two distinct seasons
Dry (May-Oct) and Wet (Nov-Apr) seasons
Rainfall – 3000mm
Temp – 250C
Introduction
Samoan people believe that there is a connection
between a person and their environment.
- Aganuu/Customs (common tradition of the whole
country)
- Agaifanua/Taboo (tradition of a particular area or
village)- each family have their own Gods. This is why
when entering any village you would have to respect
their rules.
Indigenous knowledge/Traditional
thinking
- Atafa (storm bird) indicates a strong hurricane and people
have to prepare for it in terms of food security and storage.
Nowadays, people rely on scientific knowledge/technology
through the use of meteorology technology.
- Whenever a War ships and Cruise ships docks at the wharf, it
brings rain. Tiotala (bird) cries then it brings rains.
- Cats pupils indicate a change of tides (whether low or high
tide)
- Seeing cockroaches flying around at night is an indicator
that the next day will be sunny.
Indigenous Knowledge/Traditional
Thinking
∗ Corn is planted after every full moon
∗ When a mosooi (flower) blooms, the sea urchin’s
meat is thick and rich. This goes with other sea shell
and some sea food. The blooming of this plant also
indicates that it is time to prepare for pigeon hunting.
∗ Manualii/Ve’a (bird) cry indicates a death of a person.
A high chief indicator. Strong wind (Tuaolo) is another
indicator of a death of a person. However, it depends
on a villages taboo. In some villages/indicators, when
there is a strong wind, it indicates that animals will
become strong and people will be sick.
Indigenous Knowledge
∗ Stars at night indicate a sunny day the next day. No
stars in the sky at night indicate a rainy day the next
day
∗ When fishing for the Worm fish (palolo), the attire is
to wear new sulu, wear perfume and leis of mosooi.
Its also a must to use a new canoe. This was to attract
the worm fish that comes in certain seasons.
∗ Traditional medicines cure people.
What does Climate
Change mean to you?
Climate Change
∗ Evidence of different seasonal
patterns in bearing of fruits.
Eg: The Breadfruit tree.
∗ Observation of Plants and Trees.
Eg The pidgeon and Mosooi.
Climate Change
∗ Dry to less tributaries
that make up the main
river
∗ Falls are now shallow
∗ Flash flooding in areas
that did not flood.
∗ Droughts in some
areas of Samoa.
Climate Change
∗ Sea level rising
∗ High Temperatures
∗ Loss of Biodiversity
Impacts of Climate change
∗ Mangroves and coral
degradation
∗ Developments have
ruined the shorelines.
(Concrete sea walls)
Impacts of Climate change
∗ Prawn used to be eaten raw but cannot nowadays
because of the waters that they live in have been
poisoned.
∗ Reduction in native bird species
∗ Use of diesel to generate electricity
Challenges
∗ Education and Awareness. There is limited
knowledge in the national and community levels.
∗ Dissemination of the right information to the right
audience (Complication with Language use)
∗ Dissemination of traditional knowledge.
∗ Formulation of Polices and Regulations
Climate Change
Adaptation
Protect water supply/water
catchments
Replant along the riversides
Need to replant Samoan trees that
consume a lot of waters that can
grow more than 100 years, and
need to preserve to avoid flash
fires in dry seasons.
Climate Change
Adaptation
Educate people, make them aware
and build capacity to protect the
environment
Coral and mangrove replanting
Climate Change
Adaptation
Recognize traditional
knowledge and share
information
Strengthen and reinforce
village councils so that
they protect their own
environment.
Conserve Water
-
Way Forward….
Educate the whole country, start from leaders
of the country, communities and people
involved
Go back to the old ways of working the land.
Stop the use of chemicals.
Need to make water schemes individuals
water schemes. This is so that villagers would
take care of their own water supplies
Message from Leota Pepe Pa’i