The version of this story I heard from American Samoa, if I remember it correctly is that an elderly blind woman and her granddaughter lived alone, and they needed food. They asked a group of boys cooking fish for some food, and the boys gave them rats instead to mock them. In anger, the grandmother asked her grandaughter to lead her to the cliffs, and they jumped off together and turned into a turtle and shark.
I wish I could say I enjoyed it, but growing up in Samoa and having heard the real story of the turtle and the shark prevents me from saying so. They weren't lovers, but a grandmother and granddaughter who lived in poverty. How this video introduced the song was wrong because not only was the melody wrong, but so were the words. We grew up singing the turtle and shark song so I know the song. We sing this song at the big rock bend in Vailoa village where the story is based. Singing this song to the ocean in hopes to see the turtle and shark appear. They show up but not always. I'm glad to have witnessed them swimming near the rock bend once. I still remember the song. Haven't sung it in years since I'm not in Samoa.
Awesome work! I am a Samoan High Chief and you've got the story correct! Malietoa Faiga is my Great x5 Grandfather. Genealogy and Samoan legends are my family's specialty. As I have mentioned before, awesome work!
Well mate if your a high samoan chief then your lying, the story is wrong. It two separate stories mixed in this video. I know this because I'm from Vaitogi.
Apparently Fagafau in Savai'i has a similar story. A blind woman and her daughter leapt off a high cliff and they also turned into a turtle and shark. Interesting, tofu lava le motu ia ma ana ia tala faasolopito.
This was beautiful, but the story it is wrong, the story is about a grandmother and a grand daughter who jumped from the cliffs in Vaitogi to escape famine and can be seen as the shark and the turtle when you sing their song at the blow holes in Vaitogi. I have seen them my self. Would be nice to have this redone with the authenticity of the actual story.
yes it's a beautiful story indeed. To or Ko in western Polynesia means to fall or cast, ma means pure as in Maori, so the alternative western Polynesia word for shark is Mako, pure fall, relating to the one who turned into a shark. Ka kite uso
so beautiful .... this one and all the very short "Ha - Breath of Life" series. A very sensible and delicate way to highlight, to "mettre en valeur" the pacific cultures. Made me feel like going there someday,even if I am very far away ...
This is a good story but it's totally twisted lol. The real story is about an old lady and her granddaughter. I would know because it is my village's story. Vaitogi-3
My friend told me that her mom saw them swim to the cliff when her boyfriend at the time had sang the villages song at the perfect time.. that’s amazing
OMG...this is so good, I love how you captured the story just by using shapes. And love the storyline. God this is so beautiful! Thank you for who ever made this...thank you!
Beautiful work! As for its accuracy, keep in mind this legend is passed down through many generations. Over time, certain things about the legend may change. Some families tell it in a different way, that is just the way it is. Anyways, great work! Please create more animated stories of our beautiful legends of Samoa!
Absolutely, the version I heard growing up in American Samoa was and Old Lady and her Granddaughter. Only the people of Vaitogi can chant this song will the Turtle and Shark appear. I've seen it with my own eyes :)
absolutely LOVE your artwork and these cartoons. They are SO important to keep our poly legends alive. Please make more from Tonga and Hawaii. Thank you so much for your work. much love.
From my head, I hope that this is true..for the sake of magic..that we do very badly need to feel it even for a tiny bit in our lives nowadays.. Good job, Ryan.
This is absolutely amazing! I love you you created all of this! It it actually a Samonan legend though? I'm just wondering, and what's the music you used, I love that too!! All around incredible =D
Holding on to our own truth. This is this world needs. As all sleeps. Be kindly open and loving. Be smarter and work with whatever makes you feel happy inside of yourself.
I am from Vaitogi. People will say this story is not the real story but there are about 4 different variations. Even this "lover" story isnt the one that is told. It gets deeper. Nonetheless, I am happy to know others admire the story.
Beautiful video. I love the fluidity of your characters, the emotion evoked with those movements is ten times that actual human movement. Can I ask what song you used towards the end for the credits?
This whole time I thought it was a mother and daughter that jumped the Cliff 🤦🏾♂️, mind you I was born in Hawaii but my grandpa family from vaitogi , I appreciate the true story ma guy! Much mahols!
I'm pretty sure that this is not how the story goes. These are two stories put into one. The shark and the turtle story is about a mother and daughter that jumped into the sea due to a famine in the village and transformed into the shark and turtle. There's even a song about it. The other story is about the Malietoa and the end of cannibalism in Samoa. Sorry for my two cents :) Love the animation though!!
With all due respect, this is not how the story goes. This is 2 stories that got mixed up. The story of the Turtle and the Shark is different from the Story of Malietoa Faiga and the end of cannibalism (which is sort of what the beginning of this video sounded like)
@stopmotionpro15 - I only wrote the truth as I see it :) I'm a writer - so I'm an artist (of sorts) - I write what I feel, and his work has a way of stirring the emotions. You not only see his 'stories', you 'feel' and become part of them... which, is what true art is all about, I suppose :)
But I'm sure it would've sounded a bit like these ones... Tongan Nose Flute /watch?v=aW40qY2TU0A Hawaiian Nose Flute /watch?v=HD2tq5Yjj1w The second one sounds similar to the one in the video but I don't know if it's original Hawaiian sound or contemporary.
