With Samoa’s 60th anniversary of independence being celebrated this year, award-winning author Dahlia Malaeulu has released a special book to mark the occasion.
Grandpa’s Siapo tells the story of Grandpa and his grandson Luka, who both share the same birthday. Grandpa is a great storyteller and surprises his grandchildren with a Samoan Siapo that tells a special story about Samoa’s journey to independence.
“It was inspired by my own ‘Grandpa storytellers,’ like my father and uncles,” says Malaeulu.
“At different moments across my life [they] helped to teach me about the importance of our Samoan culture and history.”
Malaeulu was also inspired by her own author visits to schools where she would talk about different Samoan cultural artefacts, which included a Siapo she was gifted.
The book is extra special for Malaeulu, not just in terms of its content, but it’s also the first picture book in the world that is created by an all Pasifika team.
It also received a personal blessing from Fialaui‘afualeafi Tamasese – daughter of Sāmoa’s first Co-Head of State, Tupua Tamasese Mea‘ole, and the oldest grandchild of Ta‘isi Olaf Frederick Nelson.
While the book is focused solely on Samoan history, Malaeulu believes Grandpa’s Siapo “is for everyone.”
“It is a safe and accessible literacy resource for children, students, teachers, parents and families of all ethnicities.
Malaeulu adds, “there is a misconception that Samoans around the world are aware of our own history, but unfortunately this is not always the case due to the impact of colonisation, traditional oral storytelling declining or not being passed on as well as not having any suitable Pasifika resources especially for our tamaiti.”
“This is why we believe Grandpa’s Siapo will help many Samoans to strengthen their connection to our Samoan culture and their own Samoan identity.”
Grandpa’s Siapo is available from Lagi Routes for the general public and Wheelers Books for schools and libraries. In honour of the 60th anniversary of Samoan Independence this year and Samoan language week, Malaeulu’s entire Mila’s My Aganuu Series and Grandpa’s Siapo, has been made available to the world as a paperback and ebook via Amazon.
