Music of Samoa

Samoan Body Percussion

Samoan and Tongan cultures participate in Faataupati or
slap dances group activities that involve rhythmically slapping
and clapping hands. This
dance includes four main
body percussion sounds:
stomp, patsch (patting
thighs with hands), clap,
and snap. There are also
many more possibilities for
more unique sounds, such
as thumping chest,
whistling, and slapping
cheeks with an open mouth.
The Samoan word for dance is siva. They traditionally use
gentle movements of the body in time to music which tell a story,
though Samoan male dances may be more snappy and quick.
The Faataupati is traditionally performed by a group of men who
clap and slap in sync with each other, which is performed at
almost every Samoan occasion: weddings, birthdays, and
holidays.
Samoan Song-Tuli Mai, Tuli Mai
Music has always been central to Samoan life. Vocal music is
predominant, both in religious services and social gatherings, and
is accompanied by rhythmic percussion and wind instruments.
The song Tuli Mai, Tuli Mai is a song about a man hunting
monsters and ghosts, who is worried about his wife. However, the
song and lyrics assures him that she is safe at home. The song is
generally sang through multiple times, and is accompanied by
clapping and stomping. These are the lyrics:

Tuli mai, tuli mai

Tuli mai, tuli mai
Tuli mai le aitu ma sauai a maua e ai
tatou sosola ia o le a sau le loomatua
faapea ma le toeaina e fulufulua lona papatua
Aue aue! Aue aue!
Aue lou loto ua le moe
Na o lou fia vaai funa ia oe
ma lou fia faatasi malu ai ita i nuu ese