Every year at Christmas time, all government employees in American Samoa are called upon to gather with their various offices, agencies, and organizations to perform Christmas carols and variations thereof for the governor. Some in English, but most in Samoan, these carols take on all forms. You've got your standard Oh Holy Night, Jingle Bells, and the like. And then you've got other tunes such as Osana Ma Pepese sung to the tune of Livin' La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin. Yes, that's what I said...Ricky Martin. The performances are broadcast live on TV to the whole island and this is such a big deal that for weeks leading up to the three-night extravaganza, every agency has daily practices that last most of the afternoon. For most of the offices, these practices are mandatory. Yes, mandatory practice for government employees to sing religious Christmas carols during the work day. Don't even get me started on the separation of church and state. The practices in our office, however, were voluntary. I think that may have had something to do with the fact that we are a bunch of lawyers and actually know a little something about the Constitution. Below is Afa, the AG, watching as we perform. In between each song, the Directors of the various departments would give speeches, thanks, etc. and that is usually what takes a 2 hour show and turns it into a 5 hour marathon. Luckily, the AG kept is short and sweet. Thank you Afa!
Below are the palagi lawyers after we finished singing--Sean, Clif, LTM, Aaron & me. Lisa was so "animated" that the camera was apparently on her for half the show and the next day I swear she must have been recognized by at least 100 people, many of whom asked if she was drunk, which she actually wasn't--she just really got into the performance. I've got the whole show on DVD, so if you want a good chuckle maybe I'll show it to you.
Every year at Christmas time, all government employees in American Samoa are called upon to gather with their various offices, agencies, and organizations to perform Christmas carols and variations thereof for the governor. Some in English, but most in Samoan, these carols take on all forms. You've got your standard Oh Holy Night, Jingle Bells, and the like. And then you've got other tunes such as Osana Ma Pepese sung to the tune of Livin' La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin. Yes, that's what I said...Ricky Martin. The performances are broadcast live on TV to the whole island and this is such a big deal that for weeks leading up to the three-night extravaganza, every agency has daily practices that last most of the afternoon. For most of the offices, these practices are mandatory. Yes, mandatory practice for government employees to sing religious Christmas carols during the work day. Don't even get me started on the separation of church and state. The practices in our office, however, were voluntary. I think that may have had something to do with the fact that we are a bunch of lawyers and actually know a little something about the Constitution. Below is Afa, the AG, watching as we perform. In between each song, the Directors of the various departments would give speeches, thanks, etc. and that is usually what takes a 2 hour show and turns it into a 5 hour marathon. Luckily, the AG kept is short and sweet. Thank you Afa!
Below are the palagi lawyers after we finished singing--Sean, Clif, LTM, Aaron & me. Lisa was so "animated" that the camera was apparently on her for half the show and the next day I swear she must have been recognized by at least 100 people, many of whom asked if she was drunk, which she actually wasn't--she just really got into the performance. I've got the whole show on DVD, so if you want a good chuckle maybe I'll show it to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment