An ancient cultural punishment imposed on anyone who opposed a village council decision, re-introduced by Lefagaoalii Village last week, is now a matter of great public interest.
Why it was reintroduced at this time is anyone’s guess.
This ancient pagan practice comprises the use of the traditional process for killing a pig when a gun was not yet known to the Samoans, then cleaning it to be baked in the oven for eating.
The offender is not intended to be killed and eaten.
Samoans were not cannibals.
At the point where the offender’s life is to be ended, a new order is issued to cancel the first order and the offender is allowed to live the rest of his life with the shame on his family, which was the whole purpose of the punishment.
Often the orders from the Council are never fully understood by the young men of the village serving the Council, and the death of the offender often occurred.
From the facts publicized, the Village Reverend proposed a family piggery project and the Village Chiefs donated land for the project, land which belongs to Chief So’oalo, who was away overseas.
On his return, So’oalo objected and the village responded with the piggy style punishment.
These kinds of abuses of authority by the majority must stop, whether it is in our village community or in the three branches of Government.
It is an embarrassment to all Samoans who hold their country with great pride to see these abuses occurring and the police seemed too slow to act.
The Government Ministry which deals with village affairs must also explain the law to the village mayors regularly for onward dissemination to their villagers and the essential role of the Court of Law for every dispute resolution in every matter involving natural Justice.
Above all, the Church Ministers must lead from the front.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP