Lecture 9

Question 1

4 - Pacific values and belief systems

Answer 1

• Ancestors
• Descendants
• Seen and Unseen
• Importance of relationships

Question 2

Values of pacific

Answer 2

• Pacific cultures share a certain number of values which are common to many islanders.
• They are respect (for elders, for people in positions of authority)
• service (obligation of care between individuals and groups), collectivism (which reflect the way we see the world),
• family (which brings identity and belonging),
• and spirituality (as the cornerstone of traditional values and
  cultures).

Question 3

Respect = Teu le va

Answer 3

The phrase refers to Samoan practices of values and beliefs, to ensure respect and polite communication in any context

The practice of ‘Teu la va’ is to value, cherish, nurture and take care of the ‘va’, the space/relationship

It recognizes the special connections people have within the community (brothers/sisters; male/female; people of higher ranking; …)

Vā = reciprocity, balance and mutual trust

Question 4

4 pacific values

Answer 4

Family
Respect
Collectivism
Spirituality
Service

Question 5

Service

Answer 5

Contribution and responsibility

Question 6

Collectivism

Answer 6

Question 7

Family

Answer 7

Extended family: the term family is not understood as the nuclear family (typically father, mother and siblings), but as the extended family (with grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and more)

Question 8

Spirituality

Answer 8

• Spirituality includes spiritual and religious practices
• When it comes to health, turning towards a greater power
  can be reassuring.