<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ua ‘afa le Aso</Emphasis> Stormy weather today: traditional ecological knowledge of weather and climate. The Samoa experience |
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| Authors: | Penehuro Fatu Lefale |
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| Institution: | 1.Science, Research & Development,MetService (Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd),Wellington,New Zealand |
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| Abstract: | This paper examines traditional ecological knowledge of weather and climate in Samoa, a Polynesian community in the South
Pacific. The research found Samoans have their own unique seasonal calendar. The Samoan seasonal calendar is predominantly
based on the observations of local environmental changes, which are in turn influenced by weather and climate. Monitoring
changes in plants and animal behaviour, for example, are key indicators used by the Samoans to forecast changes in weather
and climate. In addition, their communal and family social activities like hunting, fishing and feasting are driven by the
seasonal calendar. The Samoans knowledge of cloud formation, conditions conducive to the formation and onset of severe weather
systems and seasonal changes in climate, helped them anticipate, plan and adapt to extreme weather and climate events. The
ability and knowledge of the Samoans to forecast the onset of extreme weather and climate events, relying predominantly on
local environmental changes are vital tools that should be incorporated in the formulation of human induced climate change
adaptation strategies. |
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