austraLasia #3121
Tuck in! It's DB Day(s) in Samoa!
ALAFUA 22 August 2012 -- Because the official Feast of St John Bosco falls in the school holidays, Don Bosco Technical Centre, Alafua, Samoa celebrates the birthday of Don Bosco on August 16th.
The festivities took place over two days. On the 16th August the school day concluded with a rousing Eucharistic celebration in honour of the Patron of the school. The celebrant, Father Nick, in his homily illustrated the many difficulties young John had in his early years. John did not let these difficulties get in the way of his aspirations. His dream at the age of 9 became his vision for the future. And because of this “Don Bosco” is now present in many countries in the world, not just in buildings, schools, churches, etc, but as an inspiring person, who loves young people dearly.
The next day the celebrations continued. And what better way in Samoa than to celebrate it with a huge meal! The day, called “culture day” focussed on the preparation of the midday meal. Organised in 4 groups they competed for the honour of preparing the best meal. The boys brought taro, taro leaves (to make “palusami” – a delicious mixture of young taro leaves, coconut cream, onions and salt), size 2 piggies, dozens of chicken, coconuts, banana leaves and palm fronds to cover the “umu” (ground oven).
Soon the 200+ boys were hustling about their allotted tasks. The smoke of the cooking fires wafted across the school grounds, together with songs and heaps of laughter. The stones for the umu were heated, chickens plucked and gutted, piggies cleaned and stuffed with palm leaves and other leafy ingredients. Coconuts were husked, scraped and wrung into coconut milk, taro scraped and put into the cooking cauldrons. Food baskets were plaited. Once the stones were hot enough for the umu they were spread out at a frenetic speed – some boys almost doing a fire dance. The food was placed on top of the stones and covered with banana, breadfruit and palm leaves. The waiting times was filled with more singing and laughter. Then came the time to uncover the food and tuck in! The multitude did not take long to demolish the abundance of food.
After all had their fill and the leftovers gathered (not much, mind you!) the winning team was announced, the boys sang “Happy Birthday” to Don Bosco, and they were treated to chillichocs. So ended the festivities.
Rubbing their tummies the boys went home. “It was a good day, because there was plenty of food” is the usual saying in Samoa!
Tuck in! It's DB Day(s) in Samoa!
The festivities took place over two days. On the 16th August the school day concluded with a rousing Eucharistic celebration in honour of the Patron of the school. The celebrant, Father Nick, in his homily illustrated the many difficulties young John had in his early years. John did not let these difficulties get in the way of his aspirations. His dream at the age of 9 became his vision for the future. And because of this “Don Bosco” is now present in many countries in the world, not just in buildings, schools, churches, etc, but as an inspiring person, who loves young people dearly.
The next day the celebrations continued. And what better way in Samoa than to celebrate it with a huge meal! The day, called “culture day” focussed on the preparation of the midday meal. Organised in 4 groups they competed for the honour of preparing the best meal. The boys brought taro, taro leaves (to make “palusami” – a delicious mixture of young taro leaves, coconut cream, onions and salt), size 2 piggies, dozens of chicken, coconuts, banana leaves and palm fronds to cover the “umu” (ground oven).
Soon the 200+ boys were hustling about their allotted tasks. The smoke of the cooking fires wafted across the school grounds, together with songs and heaps of laughter. The stones for the umu were heated, chickens plucked and gutted, piggies cleaned and stuffed with palm leaves and other leafy ingredients. Coconuts were husked, scraped and wrung into coconut milk, taro scraped and put into the cooking cauldrons. Food baskets were plaited. Once the stones were hot enough for the umu they were spread out at a frenetic speed – some boys almost doing a fire dance. The food was placed on top of the stones and covered with banana, breadfruit and palm leaves. The waiting times was filled with more singing and laughter. Then came the time to uncover the food and tuck in! The multitude did not take long to demolish the abundance of food.
After all had their fill and the leftovers gathered (not much, mind you!) the winning team was announced, the boys sang “Happy Birthday” to Don Bosco, and they were treated to chillichocs. So ended the festivities.
Rubbing their tummies the boys went home. “It was a good day, because there was plenty of food” is the usual saying in Samoa!
