Turtle and Shark Legend
Turtle and Shark Legend
(Samoa)
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"Turtle and Shark" is a cove on the American Samoan island of Tutuila.
It's set in Vaitogi Village.
Some of the most beautiful scenery, yet roughest waters around.
Disclaimer: there are many versions of this story, and although this is not the only version I am familiar with.
This is the version that was taught to me at a very young age and stayed with me.
For over 100 years, this cliff overlook in Vaitogi, American Samoa, has been widely regarded, as the scene of the climactic event to the legend of the Turtle and Shark (O Le Tala I Le Laumei Ma Le Malie).
This cultural legend is one of the most famous stories in Samoan oral history.
Some even believe it to be fact.
People from the village of Vaitogi continue to pass the story or a version of it, from generation to generation and with great pride, continue an important tradition of the legend at the cliff site.
It’s a ritual song intended and believed to summon the animal duo of legend to the sea’s surface, and visitors are often amazed to see one or both of these creatures emerge from the sea, apparently, in response to the call.
It’s a treat and certainly is a sight to witness.
Many versions of the Turtle and Shark legend have been recorded and passed down over the years.
This is just one:
It was a time of famine and scarcity in the South Pacific.
As the story goes, an elder woman (Fonuea) was neglected by her family and village.
One day they cooked some wild yams but never offered her a share.
She was heartbroken, but that was only the beginning.
Fonuea’s grandchild (Salofa), came to her hut late in the night, to warn her that the family and others in the village had planned to kill her and other elders in the village because there wasn’t enough food to keep feeding the feeble elders.
Fonuea stood and asked Salofa to help her to the nearby beach.
Salofa obeyed, all the while, listening to her grandmother mumble soft prayers to the old gods.
“Save us this night, to forever be symbols of your mercy”
When they reached a jutting point on the rocky cliff, Fonuea hugged her granddaughter and with tears in her eyes, said goodbye, but Salofa wouldn’t let go.
Salofa cried and begged her grandmother to let her come with her, for fear of what the village may do to her for warning Fonuea of their treachery.
Fonuea held Salofa tight, spoke another soft prayer, and stepped off the cliff.
“Save us this night, to forever be symbols of your mercy”
As soon as their bodies touched the water below, grandmother and her grandchild turned into a sea turtle, beautiful and graceful and a mighty shark, swift and deadly.
Together, they swam and swam until eventually, they reached the village of Vaitogi.
They swam to the beach, and on the sand, were transformed back into human form.
They were welcomed in by High Chief Letuli and his people as honored guests and they were warmed and fed.
Eventually, Fonuea and Salofa could not deny the call of the sea
“...to forever be symbols of mercy...” and they decided to return back to the sea,
transformed...
once again into a beautiful sea turtle and mighty shark.
They told the villagers they would stay in the waters off the shore and in return for their hospitality, they gave them this song:
promising to come when it is sung.
Laumei Faiaga
Traditional Song
(Samoan)
Laumei faiaga, faasusu si au tama
Aumai le moega'afa- fa'i mai, fa'i mai
Se lauti o laulelei, e lavalava le laumei
Fonuea, Fonuea, laulau mai se manamea
Po 'e sai i luga nei
O sa Letuli i luga nei
A ua'ina, a la'ina
A solo e mata'ina
Lou galu tu'u la le i'a
Lalelei, lalelei, lalelei!
Today, villagers still sing this song and it’s been said that they often see the Turtle and Shark.
Whenever the turtle or the shark is seen, it is customary to wave and say,
"Lalelei, lalelei, lalelei!" ("Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!")
*However: a warning- Pointing is forbidden.
Should these beautiful animals surface and you point, they disappear immediately and will never resurface again when someone who has pointed at them is present, no matter how sweet the call.
Pointing is taken as judging and mocking and is much like the family and villagers who passed judgment on the elders so long ago.
Careless Turtle
Traditional Song
(English Translation)
Careless turtle, milk your baby
Bring the bed, pluck, pluck
Tea leaves, to dress the turtle,
Fonuea, Fonuea, show us your sweetheart
Who's calling?
It's Letuli's people.
In rain or sunshine
Let us see you
Gaze at the fish
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!