What is it about?
This project brought together a New Zealand Sāmoan team to create a short Sāmoan-language documentary for social media that explains the auala funerary tradition, an important ceremony held when a high chief dies. Filmed in Si‘umu, Sāmoa, the documentary shares culture-specific knowledge with young Sāmoans living overseas, and this article explains the ideas and practical choices behind making and sharing the documentary.
Featured Image
Photo by Anthony Lim on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This article is important because it explains how digital media can be used to share Sāmoan cultural knowledge with young people who may not have access to it in their everyday lives. It shows how a short documentary can bridge distance and generations, connecting Sāmoans in the diaspora with traditions in Sāmoa in ways that are meaningful, accessible, and culturally respectful.
Perspectives
I wrote this article through conversations with the documentary team, drawing on our shared discussions and reflections. I hope it helps young Sāmoans living in the diaspora learn about an important funerary tradition practiced in Sāmoan villages.
Associate Professor Teena Brown Pulu
Auckland University of Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Le Auala Masani (2025): Mini-Documentary for Sāmoan Social Media Audiences, Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy, December 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/23644583-bja10066.
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