Fale Sāmoa
Fale Sāmoa - the Sāmoan Fale
“Fale” literally means house and/or structural building in the Sāmoan language.
Master builders
The Tufuga Fau Fale is the name given to the builders of the fale.
Types of Fale Sāmoa
There are a few traditional types of Fale Sāmoa, each with its own name and function.
Faletele This is the fono or meeting house. Its shape large with a high roof, round ends and a short middle section.
Faleoʻo This is the normal house used for the family.
Faleafolau This is a guest house, its shape consists of long middle section and rounded ends.
Falelalaga This is where ie toga or fine mats are woven.
Maota - gagana fa‘aaloalo
Maota is the word for house structure in gagana fa‘aaloalo.
Gagana fa‘aaloalo is the respectful or formal Sāmoan language.
Fale Sāmoa traditional vocabulary words
- Fale - house, structure - Fale
- ‘Aso - Rafter (thatch roofing)
- ‘Au‘au - Ridgepole
- Fautū - Purlin (Arched)
- La‘aumatua - Purlin
- Pou - Post (house, structure)
- Poutū (also Pou tū) - Post (main center)
- Poulalo (also Pou lalo) - Post (outer, wall, side)
“Fale” in modern Sāmoan language
In modern Sāmoan language, “Fale” is also used as prefix in naming buildings in Sāmoa.
- Fale - House
- Fale Sāmoa - Traditional Sāmoan house / building
- Fale‘āiga - Restaurant
- Fale‘āoga - School
- Falema‘i - Hostpital
- Falemāta‘aga - Museum
- Falemeli - Post Office
- Fale‘oloa - Store / Commercial Shop
- Falepālagi - Modern (foreigner style) house / building
- Falesā - Church
- Faleteutupe / Faletupe - Bank
Learn more words with our Sāmoan and Polynesian Dictionary >>
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