American Samoa > Samoan Language

Who are the Malo people?

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Tavita Tusitala:
Maybe you will here someone in American Samoa talk about the malo people. Sometimes with an understanding smile.

That refers to a habit upon greeting in (Western) Samoa to say, "Malo le soifua." "Good health."
And  Malo fo'i le soifua.  "Good health also!"
In short form Samoan people might just say "Malo!"   "Health!"
American Samoans use it kindly to refer to their brothers in (Western) Samoa.

It seems Western Samoans might not think it is so kindly.
There is always a little competition between the Samoans to say who keeps the real fa'a Samoa, the Samoan way.
How they greet each other figures in this discussion.
But it is a  friendly competition and because (Western) Samoa has many more people than American Samoa they would win any democratic vote on the subject.

I wonder what the (Western) Samoans call the American Samoans?

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