"Tiitii and Talaga", how the Samoans First Got Fire. The legend is of Tiitii and his father Talaga and how during a wrestling contest, Tiitii wrenched off the arm of Earthquake God, Mafuie. As not to lose his other arm, the Fire was given to Tiitii from the Fire Spirit. 36"x48", acrylic on board.
"Lu, Lufasiaitu". Destroyer of Spirits. Lu, Lufasiaitu was a noble and much feared spirit. During a war with the Sa Tagaloa people, Lu's raft would not be calmed. Only the highest god on top of the mountain could stop Lufasiaitu when he offered his daughter Leamoa as the wife for Lufasiaitu. Lu happily accepted Leamoa as his wife and the war was ended. 48"x36", acrylic on board.
"Lualoto o Alii", the Place for the Nobles. This sacred place is for the high chiefs and Nobles of Samoa to enter the gate to Pulotu, the underworld. The Lualoto is located near the villages of Falealupo and Tufutafoe on the island of Savaii, Samoa. 36"x48",acrylic on board.
"Le Aitu a le Fe'e", the Spirit of the Octopus or Devilfish. This myth of the Spirit of the Octopus comes from the Vaimauga District on the island of Upolu, Samoa. The Octopus Spirit was both man and animal and at night the spirit became man and during the daytime it was the octopus. The House of the Octopus, the Fale a le Fe'e is made entirely of stone and is believed was made by the Spirit of the Fe'e, the Octopus. 36"x48", acrylic on board.
"Ua Mata I'a Sa le Tiuga", This is an old Samoan saying between high chiefs addressing each other in ceremony, master to master. In my painting I have the master Shark Fisherman addressing and offering thanksgiving to the master of the sea, The Shark. 36"x48", acrylic on board.
"O le Fafa o Saualii", the Cove of the Spirits. This very sacred place is where the recently deceased will travel and enter the gate to Pulotu, the underworld. The Fafa is located near the villages of Falealupo and Tufutafoe on the island of Savaii, Samoa. 36"x48", acrylic on board.
"Le Laumei ma le Malie", the Turtle and the Shark. This legend comes from the village of Vaitogi and speaks of Samoa's respect for their elderly people and children. During a severe famine the grandmother was not properly taken care of. The grandmother to show her displeasure took her granddaughter and they dove into the sea. We believe the grandmother is the Turtle and the granddaughter is the Shark and they will reappear when we chant and sing their praises. 36"x48", acrylic on board.
