Alamea: A Reflection

31 Jan

Reflections on Pacific Resilience and Cross-Cultural Wisdom

by Seiafi Sapolu

The Meaning of Alamea and Its Relevance

E fofo e le alamea le alamea – A Samoan proverb that describes the Crown-of-Thorns starfish. Spiky on one side, spongey on the other. One side designed to harm, the other to heal. Samoan fishermen believe that a sting from the starfish’s sharp spines can be soothed by the soft side, offering relief from the pain it caused. This duality of harm and healing is often used as a metaphor for community-driven problem-solving, suggesting that solutions to a community’s challenges are often found within the community itself.

Lessons from Viet Nam: Community Resilience and Knowledge

Mũi Né, Viet Nam – Fishing Village Market

During my eight-week internship in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, I often returned to this proverb. I worked as a business development intern at STEMax, an educational institution focused on problem-based learning. With a vision to expand globally, I was asked to review and develop their operational framework, drawing on the lessons and experiences I had gained in Aotearoa, New Zealand. However, applying a Pacific lens to my evaluation, it quickly became clear that I could not complete this task without first gaining a deeper understanding of Vietnamese history and culture.

Cultural Connections: Pacific and Vietnamese Wisdom

Dalat, Viet Nam – STEM & ART

Instead of reviewing, I listened. I listened to our hosts share their history, a history marked by resilience. It includes the struggles of resisting foreign invaders, the trauma of war and colonization, and the devastating loss of life and destruction of land. These hardships have left enduring physical and psychological scars across generations. Yet, the Vietnamese people’s capacity to rebuild and maintain their identity despite these challenges is nothing short of extraordinary.

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam – Cu Chi Tunnels

Instead of developing, I encouraged. I encouraged them to integrate their cultural knowledge into their framework—knowledge that, like the Pacific, has adapted and endured despite adversity. Viet Nam’s traditions in agriculture, innovation, and resilience continue to shape its rapid progress across many sectors. While the Vietnamese experience is distinct, both our communities share an ability to draw strength from our cultural roots and adapt to new realities.

Applying Indigenous Solutions to Global Challenges

Dalat, Viet Nam – Omirita Eco-lodge

Although I did not meet the specific goals that were initially set, focusing on integrating indigenous knowledge proved far more meaningful. It confirmed that while our communities may not always have the resources to solve problems—often problems we did not create—they do have the answers. This experience was a reminder that true cross-cultural work requires more than just a willingness to learn; it requires a genuine respect for the wisdom and knowledge that already exists within every community.

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam – Mekong Delta

E fofo e le alamea le alamea. How special it is to witness this proverb resonate in Viet Nam, so far from home, in a community whose history mirrors the resilience of my own people. As I reflect on this experience, I am reminded of the star on the Vietnamese flag—a five-pointed star symbolizing the unity of the people: workers, farmers, intellectuals, soldiers, and youth. A star reminiscent of a Crown-of-Thorns starfish—sharp points representing struggle and adversity, but a center of unity that connects and heals. The star, like the starfish, holds both the marks of struggle and the potential for healing, reminding us that despite our different experiences and challenges, we are connected through our shared resilience.

Acknowledging PCF’s Role in Cross-Cultural Learning

Dalat, Viet Nam – Bao Dai Palace

Fa’afetai tele lava, Pacific Cooperation Foundation, for advocating for this opportunity for Pacific women. Through such opportunities, we come to understand the importance of listening—not just to solve problems but to acknowledge the wisdom embedded within every culture. It is a reminder that healing and progress often come from within, much like the soft underside of the starfish—found in the strength, knowledge, and resilience that our Indigenous communities carry.

This experience is an invitation for us to embrace collaboration, build stronger partnerships, and actively contribute to a future where the wisdom and resilience of our communities lead the way toward shared progress and opportunity.

Explore More with Pacific Cooperation Foundation

Interested in how PCF fosters cross-cultural collaborations and indigenous solutions? Visit our Internship Programs and Perceptions Reports to learn more about our initiatives.

amplify voiceamplifying pacific voicesSamoaPacific diasporaPacific resilienceIndigenous Problem SolvingResiliencePacific Resliencecommunity driven solutionscultural knowledge exchangeViet Nam and Pacific CollboarationPacific Collaboration

Guest User