Fa'asamoa and church music in New Zealand

Abstract

The objective of this research is to explore Spirituality in Samoan churches in New Zealand. In light of the changes that influence spirituality in church music I explore Samoa's pre-Christian culture and religion, the advent of the missionaries and the establishment of churches in Samoa and in New Zealand. Samoan Spirituality is expounded in the practice of fa'asamoa. The main challenge in fa'asamoa came when churches use modern ideas in their practices. The traditions, beliefs and practice of fa'asamoa have been incorporated into the new church groups. The move to New Zealand challenged churches and fa'asamoa. This thesis explores these challenges by focussing on the role that music plays in Samoan churches in New Zealand. The role of churches, the choir, the practice of fa'asamoa, the influence of family life, the use of both the English and the Samoan languages and the use of modern ideas create a pattern of fa'asamoa that is incorporated in the practice of churches. The five selected churches in Samoa share an overlapping fa'asamoa but each has its own spiritual traditions. The differences experienced in the traditional practices of these churches are determined by their teachings. There are three main findings of this thesis. Firstly is that fa'asamoa is being challenged by the culture of New Zealand. Secondly, the new changes benefit the growth of churches in modern society, and on the contrary new changes are problematic.