In preparation for the in-person ASAO 10 – 13 February 2027 conference in Apia, Samoa at the Sheraton Aggies Hotel, the Protocol Committee recommends the following dress and gifts for particular events.
The Protocol Committee is pleased to announce the ASAO 2027 conference is being hosted by the National University of Samoa’s Centre for Samoan Studies. Our host will be welcoming the ASAO 2027 conference with a traditional ‘ava ceremony at the National University of Samoa Fale Samoa on 9 February 2029 at 9 am. Please arrive by 8:45 am. We will meet under the big tree.
Please do not sit or stand on the perimeter of the Fale Samoa or enter the Fale Samoa early. Once the ‘ava ceremony begins, please approach the Fale Samoa and sit on the outside of the structure. Our hosts will provide plastic chairs for the outer part of the Fale Samoa, please use the chairs if needed.
If you hire a private vehicle, you may drive onto campus and park to the right of the Fale Samoa. If you take a taxi from the Sheraton Aggies Hotel, it will cost around ST $11.00 (USD $4.00, payment must be made in Samoan Tala) one way.
The recommended clothing attire for the traditional ‘ava ceremony on 9 February 2027:
Women: lavalava/puletasi (pareo, sulu) to ankle, or blousetop short sleeves, with long skirt covered (modest), no hats and no bathing suits.
Men: lavalava (pareo, sulu) below knees, sleeves, aloha shirt kind or similar short sleeves (modest), no hats and no bathing suits.
Everyone will remove their shoes outside of the Fale Samoa.
Following the ‘ava ceremony, NUS tradition is to provide a modest malū taeao/breakfast, usually in the form of kokoalaisa (kokosamoa with rice) and white bread from a local bakery with butter. If you are handed food, it is customary to accept the food and eat (to show fa’aaloalo or respect for the ‘ava ceremony).
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Protocol Officer, Elijah Lemusufeaali’i @ Elijah.Lemusu@australian.museum.
After the ‘ava ceremony, due to the facilitation by Saveatama Dr. Dionne Fonoti, all interested ASAO members are invited to a heritage site visit in the village of Sale’imoa to learn about Star Mounds from the research and scholarship conducted by and in partnership with the Centre for Samoan Studies. From Sale’imoa village the tour will conclude at the Historic Vaimea Prison with a walking tour and heritage profile by Heritage Samoa. There will be a tent and chairs provided with modest finger foods and drinks. We also recommend bringing a pareo or lavalava which you may sit on the ground as there is a large mango tree for shade.
The Centre for Samoan Studies has generously provided 1 air-conditioned bus that seats 30 individuals. Once it is full, please arrange for taxi or private car hire.
For the heritage site visit, it is strongly recommended to wear a hat, mosquito repellent, sturdy walking shoes (sneakers), loose clothing, and carry a water flask.
In the spirit of reciprocity and generosity to our kind host and those performing the traditional lauga (orators) on behalf of the host and on behalf of ASAO in Samoa, we have provided a recommended list of gifts to bring for the ‘ava ceremony and for the heritage site visit.
Recommended gifts for ‘ava ceremony and heritage site village:
Chocolates (from your home)
Coffee (from your home)
Books (*in particular, any book/journal on Samoa)
T-shirts (from your home and/or branded from your university or institution)
Material
Earrings, fans, jewelry (from your home)
Candy (from your home)
YSA novels (perhaps free from local libraries)
Children’s school supplies (pencils, colouring books, colour crayons, erasers, pens, felt pens, rulers)
Children’s toys (balls, yoyo, playing cards, skipping rope)
First Aide kits
Toothbrushes (packages of 6 or 12 toothbrushes), toothpaste
Tinned cans of foodstuff, case of chicken, rice (procured locally)
We are being hosted by Ofaga o Sa’ili’iliga National University of Samoa Research Museum, Thursday, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. We are kindly asking for bottles of wine from your home country. We will pop open the bottles to share amongst all guests at the Museum. Attire for this event is Aloha wear.
Please give all of your donations to Line-Noue Memea Kruse, Elijah Lemusufeaali’i, or ‘Inoke Hafoka.