The white dresses and cute suits, the pressure on the little souls to perform, reward and praise if they do their tauloto well and curses, threats if they freeze, stage fright and lose their voice. You see the picture? Remember when we were young once or twice? Lotu Tamati is always worth celebrating but who’s really benefiting?

Can you honestly say that your child enjoys the attention and pressure during White Sunday? As a more aware adult, do you, yourself enjoy the pressure of performing as a parent? Is the dress white enough, fancy enough? Would the women at church approve of this pattern? How about the in laws?

How about the boys? Is the 3-piece suit too much or would an ie faitaga and simple shirt suffice? Can we not reuse last year’s outfits? Definitely not, everything has to be brand new? Ok, just bite the bullet, take out another small loan just this once and everything will be okay.

The self-talk that goes through parents’ minds, especially the mothers in adhering to protocols and expectations, keeping to whites and not sticking out in colour. White Sunday is an annual event, and every October, the bank account sees many withdrawals which isn’t always a bad thing but not always a good thing either.

Where did White Sunday originate from? “White” meaning palagi brought them or because it’s white clothing? Probably both. For a culture that tells children to stay quiet when adults are talking, to be seen and not heard in family gatherings it’s ironic that the one day of the year is then supposed to be for all and fix all! There are benefits but the things we do to our kids and why some of them abhor public speaking should be re-examined. I’m doing this myself as I celebrate it for the first time with my own child.

White Sunday was bought to Samoa in the nineteenth century by the London Missionary Society. During its annual Conference in May 1898, it was resolved to set up a special Sunday for children, and so the first White Sunday was held on the last Sunday of June the same year 1898, which was celebrated in all the LMS churches in Samoa.

Samoan White Sunday was changed from June to the third Sunday of October. Later on, this day was changed to the second Sunday of October. Today White Sunday is observed and celebrated by all Christian Churches in Samoa. A special service is held on Saturday evening to prepare everyone minister, children, parents and families - for White Sunday. I don’t see this today?

The day is for parents and communities to acknowledge and celebrate childhood by hosting special programs during church services which include spiritual recitations, biblical story reenactments, and creative dance performances. Children receive gifts (often new clothing and or school supplies) on White Sunday and are allowed privileges normally reserved for elders, such as being the first to be served food at family meal time (Wikipedia).

There are a few issues to be discussed from this history:

1. Clothing is a necessity and shouldn’t be a privilege. Education too is in the same box. I don’t remember my dad eating first in my house as a child. Our family still eat together on the same table at the same time when we are all in the same house. Then again, this is not very traditional.

2. Showing love for your children and prioritising them is not limited to White Sunday. Therefore, every day is Children’s Day.

3. We want to “empower” our children and yet they are only be forced and encouraged to do this loud and proud for Lotu Tamaiti, sometimes forgetting this encouragement throughout the year.

4. Every child is different and every child has to be trained in public speaking with proper guidance. If we are expecting future leaders to stand for what is right in the face of adversity, then we must train them daily.

5. The fear is real, the consequence is real so please consider their fear of criticism, people pleasing, reward for good behaviour only and severe physical punishment for non-compliance.

6. Model behaviour that we want from our children. It’s the one day for a million comparisons too, not only for children but for adults alike. Comments like “ If only you were like that kid who did their tauloto well” or “If only I had gotten that dress, I wanted you to wear instead of what you wanted to choose!” “See that girl, such a smart one while you didn’t even remember one line, one line!’

So, while we look forward to the next White Sunday, let this one be different from what we remember. Let this be one you can adjust for your own family. No one is going to slap an adult who will reuse last year’s clothing or choosing a cheaper version of a dress or suit. 

As long as your house is enjoying it in peace, acknowledging the children and celebrating all the little victories, guiding them in scripture and living a good life, loving other people, what really matters outside of that? Have a peaceful Sunday Samoa.