Fautasi races need to be held each year, and it should not be about the money but a means to keep a traditional and cultural practice alive, says the head of the National University of Samoa's Samoan Studies.

The last fautasi race was held in 2023. There were no races held last year. Early this month, a fautasi race in neighbouring American Samoa attracted a lot of attention.

Ta'iao Dr. Matiu Matavai Tautunu believes the fautasi tradition is not dying but could head that way if the practice is not kept alive.

“As our government is currently in a political crisis, we are also in a monetary crisis. There have been big cuts in budgets. We still have our tradition but the problem is that there has been no program of fautasi racing in the upcoming event of the independence celebration or Teuila festival. No funds is the main reason that’s stopping the competition,” said Ta'iao.

Fautasi boats in the past were primarily used for transporting people from one island to another. But nowadays, fautasi has been used as a traditional sport.

"This is also an important part of our culture as it is a way of building healthy relations between villages and teaching younger generations the importance of this sport. This was the only navigation tool Samoans had access to at the time, as our ancestors were voyagers," said Ta'iao. 

"It has been quite some time since the last race was held, as this race is usually the event of the year. It is good to see many teams competing and people supporting making sure our traditions are passed on to future generations."

Ta'iao said the nation was not making the Independence Day celebration important enough to have the fautasi competition and has urged organisers to have a re-look.

"We are more focused on the attraction of tourists to the Teuila festival rather than the Independence Day, which has more historical relevance to us,” Ta'iao said.

“There has been no announcement of a fautasi race his year as the committee is just thinking about funds. But they should still be encouraged despite lacking financial assistance for the sake of our culture, not to get forgotten. 

"Despite no reward, many villagers would understand and provide cultural support for the Independence Day Celebration as it is an important part of our culture. We should refrain from the thinking that if there is money there is nothing,”

The village of Apia made a fautasi as part of their 100-year celebrations of the Apia Rugby Club.

“The Apia Fautasi boat was built to coincide with our Apia Maroons Rugby Sports Club 100-year celebrations to race during the Teuila festival 2024. But the race was later cancelled and since then, there have been no updates heard of any future races. We need motivation from the government to appoint the right crew to get things going, but everything comes down to budget as there are no funds,” said Tuiletufuga Fritz Tuiavi” i–Savaiinaea, the Apia Mayor.