This past Friday my 2nd host father, Alekosi, invited me to a wedding that was taking place over the weekend. I felt inclined to refuse the offer due to my recent bout with illness, but as I was beginning to gain strength I thought, why not? I figured that I would feel just fine the following day and would like to get out and experience some culture I had yet to see. Weddings are very popular during the holiday season, as family from Australia and New Zealand tend to be present. Weddings in Samoa are large and luxurious affairs that rival the hoopla of a 15 year old’s birthday in Mexico. Family from all over the Pacific comes with gifts and food; it is amazing there is room for everyone.
Alekosi was invited on the count that he is extremely close to the bride’s family. The father of the bride was once a deacon for him, who is the head pastor at the Congregational Church in Aleisa. Thinking we would be late we sped off to the church near the Fageli’i airport early in the morning. The ceremony was set to start at 10am, but in true island form it did not begin until after 11am. Alekosi and I discussed his travels of the world, as we waited in a sea of colorful puletasis and shirts. It seemed that the two families had each coordinated matching patterns and colors for the occasion. When the clock struck 11:15am the song “This Moment” by Shania Twain suddenly came over the speakers. A thin smile appeared on my lips as the 90’s came rushing back to me. The wedding party then slowly strutted to the stage to await the bride. The room grew quiet in the suspense and everyone rose as she entered. The bride walked slowly led by her father with tears in her eyes. To my surprise when the two reached the alter a band quickly formed from the front two pews. The musicians brandished guitars and mics from seemingly thin air to serenade the bride.
Once the song was concluded the groom presented himself to his soon to be father in law to take the hand of his bride. After the two exchanged words the happy couple made their way to the pastor. The pastor spoke of love and had the bride and groom exchange their vows, all the while there was another pastor yelling hallelujah from the pews. When the vows were spoken the groom kissed the bride and a cheer erupted amongst the crowd. Now, usually this would conclude the ceremony, but this was not the case here. The groom then kneeled and the second pastor who was in the pews stepped to the stage and prayed over him. He was a giant of a man wearing a bright fusia suit with a piercing raspy voice. When he finished the prayer he looked out at his congregation and began to give a sermon, to which I can only compare to a fire and brimstone revival in the depths of the American South. I was certainly not prepared for such a sermon and was caught unawares.
Once the sermon was completed a chief representing the two families stood to inform the people of the ice cream and cake being served afterwards. Alekosi and I were both very happy as we had very light breakfasts and knew we would have difficulty making it to the 3:00pm reception. I was allowed to sit amongst the honored guests, this made me nervous, but no one seemed to mind. I was greeted fondly and asked many times where I was from. Everyone was pleased to find out I was a Pisikoa. When the cake and ice cream disappeared we did as well. Alekosi and I made our way through the rain soaked streets to the other side of Apia for the reception.
The reception took place in a wonderful large restaurant that overlooked the city. As we entered I was introduced to a scientist leading the research on creating bread out of breadfruit. Yes, that is real fruit here that grows on trees and happens to be delicious. I was impressed with this endeavor, but I was even more impressed by his shirtless dance moves later in the afternoon. We were then led to a table for honored guests and sat. Alekosi beckoned for the father of the bride and they began to talk as I observed the shenanigans taking place. Once the building filled up and the newly married couple made their entrance, the dancing began. There were a few prepared dances by a group of ladies that were highly entertaining, especially when the scientist would jump in just for fun. In America we are used to a father and mother dance with the couple, but here in Samoa it looks a tad different. Instead, the family of the bride and then the groom takes to the floor to dance for the crowd. This happens to be one of my favorite traditions as it happens at many events.
While mid discussion with Alekosi and the father of the bride I observed a man sit at the table next to us. I figured he was important as everyone at the room was staring at him and he made an entire table of people move. I was quickly informed that this man was the Prime Minister of Samoa. Who knew he would show up to a wedding I was at? Late into the reception he gave a speech and was presented with a section of the cake. Instead of the cake being cut and served individual sections were given to people of honor. To my horror I was called out as a person of honor and received an entire section of cake, which is still taking up place in my refrigerator. This is only because I am not a huge sweets person. Soon after the cake was given out we made our way back up the hill towards Aleisa exhausted. I had heard many stories from others about Samoan weddings and I was finally glad to see one for myself, but I may need a few days to recharge.