Ti’avea village in Aleipata District has won the rural village beautification competition that came with a $5,000 cash prize, leading to celebration by the young and old residents.

This is the third time for the village to win the village beautification award which is run by the Samoa Tourism Authority. 

Known to many on the south coast as the prettiest village with ginger gardens, resident Hinorma Seumalu Tagiilima says they nurture them like a ritual throughout the year. 

"We have a Saturday ritual and it is trimming ginger plants and growing new plants,” Ms. Tagiilima told the Samoa Observer.

Families that fail to clean their front yards are also fined by the Women’s Committee, according to the villager. 

"And each garden has to be a row of ginger only in the front then it is up to each family what plants they can grow behind it," she added. 

"Every last Saturday of each month, the Women's Committee does a asiasiga (inspection of homes and gardens) to inspect the front yards and Teuila.”

Ms. Tagiilima said that the practice is a routine part of their daily lives, which explains why there is a hive activity in the community when the end of a month draws closer. 

"It's part of our village life so that when it's near the end of every month you'll see a lot of cleaning going on," she said.

"Before I always complained but as the years went by I slowly converted and the whole practice has made me love gardening.” 

Asked whether children also help in the end of the month chores, Ms. Tagiilima said it is an essential part of their upbringing within their families. 

"Children are a huge part, picking up leaves and sticks, ginger stems. This is a good way of disciplining them to do chores," she said.

"Most families didn't have gardens but almost every family has a garden now and they compete as to who has the best plants.

"The representative of women in the village is Pavao Togia Iefata and I want to acknowledge her and the hard working women's committee.”

Ms. Tagiilima added that she spends hours sewing small flags for her front yard and she also contributed to the flags for the church like the other women.

"Keep up the good work and continue beautifying Tiavea as it is your fa'asinomaga (natural essence)," she said.

The Principal of Public Relations and Communications Officer with the S.T.A. Taimalelagi Tutuila Farao sent the official results of the national beautification competition to Samoa Observer for publication. See below the list of the winning villages. 

OFFICIAL RESULTS: NATIONAL BEAUTIFICATION COMPETITION