The ‘Ava Ceremony is a very important part of Samoan Culture.
A solemn ritual used to mark significant events, this ceremony welcomes special visitors, is part of a new chief’s appointment or used for marking important occasions in a village.
Sauniga O Le ‘Ava Samoa – The ‘Ava Ceremony of Samoa takes the reader through each part of the ritual including blessings, speaker roles from both host and visitor, and the actual serving of the ‘ava drink itself.
‘Ava is a drink that is mixed by a son or daughter of the highest village and chief, then a young man from the village gives it out in a shiny coconut shell.
Gifts are exchanged between visitors and hosts, of food, cloth, mats and money.
There are also special places to sit in the ceremony. At the end of this full colour non-fiction picture book, The House of Samoa and the assembling of participants in this custom are shown clearly to readers on the page.
A final section about the origin of the ‘ava plant, is told in the format of a well-shared myth.
Co-published by Oratia Books and Auckland Council Libraries, this picture book is perfectly timed for Samoa Language Week – 31 May – 6 June 2026. It shares an important part of Samoan Culture, allowing other cultures more understanding of another.
(Thanks to Oratia for my ARC)
Author – Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata
Illustrator – Ani Huia Ligaliga
Picture Book
Non-Fiction
(2026, Oratia Books, Samoa, Ritual, Ceremony, Village, Samoan Language Week)