86 Countries and Still Counting: Fabulous Fiafia

Rachael, Lindsey, Jenny, Karen (all Group 83) and Blakey (Group 81, who's staying for another year)

Huge thanks to the volunteers in Groups 81 and 82! They threw a party (fiafia) for us last night and it rocked. It started informally with a cocktail party. Ok, it was a very informal cocktail party that involved coconut vodka, Jaeger Bombs and Vailimia, shared while moving from one hotel room to another and helping each other put on make-up.

After cocktails, everyone gathered in the conference room where we have training. That’s when the real party began. Spirits were high and the entertainment was stellar. We started with our Group, 83, introducing ourselves. I announced “I’m Nancy and I’m from Orlando. I get a lot of respect.” I got cheers, since everyone knows that in Samoa, the older you are the more respect you get. At one point I felt like I was at the Miss America pageant, since cheers went up as people announced their home state. Colorado got the most cheers, by the way.

Matt, Group 81 (world famous for his blog), created a really well done slideshow to introduce us to the volunteers of Groups 81 & 82. Terrific music, photos and humorous comments.

Two volunteers sang the Samoan National Anthem – they were excellent. I’d tell you their names, but I was at a cocktail party, remember? Group 81 did a slap dance, which involves women and shirtless men, slathered in coconut oil, slapping themselves silly, with the rhythm getting increasingly faster. Who wouldn’t like that?

The women of Group 82 then performed a beautiful dance that they first performed as a thank you to their training host families a year ago. Nicely done, ladies!

Blakey performed a traditional dance that I can’t remember the name of. It’s normally done by the daughter of the High Chief and since Blakey’s host dad in training was the High Chief she had the opportunity to learn and perform the dance then. Fiafias are used in some villages to raise money and this is an example of how they do it. Blakely was drenched in oil and audience members ran up to slap tala bills on her. The oil makes it stick. I’m not sure of the symbolism of having the man lie on the floor (and a woman, in this case) and letting Blakey step on him/her. I have some ideas, but since they’re humorous but inappropriate, I’ll leave it alone. Information appreciated.

I think everyone will agree that when we moved downstairs to the pool, anticipation was in the air because it was time for FIRE! I expected one guy, twirling a fire baton, but it was way better than that. It was a mix of men dancing – and I’m not talking ballroom here. I’m talking testosterone fueled, macho dancing. First one guy was doing the fire dance, which was amazing. Then a couple more fire dancers joined him and it was outstanding. We were all screaming, whistling and applauding, while the drums pounded and the fire dancers performed. Outstanding. Really. Worth the ten hour plane ride.

Group 81 was then asked to stand together so they could be serenaded by PC staff. A bittersweet moment. We’re on a newbie high, with two long years stretching out in front of us. Group 81, however, are the veterans, wrapping up their time here.

The evening didn’t end there, though. The current volunteers had put together a potluck for us, so we traipsed back upstairs to chow down. Following Samoan custom , because we were guests Group 83 got to fill our plates first, to make sure we got the best food. We were not shy. Pizza. Homemade tortillas. Some awesome casseroles. Raw vegetables, cakes, brownies and ice cream rounded out the feast.

There was terrific conversation while we ate, with us newbies pumping the experienced volunteers for stories and advice.

Most of the group headed out to a bar down the block to continue the party. I would have gone, but knew that language class would be starting bright and early. I struggle on a good day. I wouldn’t want to face Samoan vocabulary with a hangover.

Next year, our Group will be responsible for planning the fiafia for Group 84. I hope we can come even close to the amazing party that they put on for us. We felt welcomed. We laughed a lot. And, we got to blow off some steam, which felt really good after an intense couple of weeks. Thanks, guys. We really feel like part of the Peace Corps Samoa family!