The Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) will kick-off its "Le Fatuga Samoa Project" tonight, with the program being aired live on KVZK-TV Channel 2 at 6 p.m.

The project is in collaboration with the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council and sponsored by BlueSky Communications.

DYWA Deputy Director Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr. explained that the project was originally set to be a part of the July Youth Month celebrations but "unforeseen circumstances" prevented a launch at the time.

Altogether, six youth groups have been given the chance to be part of the kick-off tonight for a program that, according to Tapumanaia, "is aimed at preserving the art of writing original Samoan songs based on cultural history, legends, fables and oral stories passed down from generation to generation."

The six groups are: SDA Aua, SDA Satala, Nuuuli Methodist Church, Leloaloa Methodist Church, CCCAS Laulii, and the Church of the Nazarene in Nuuuli.

The Humanities Council has provided a grant to help assist with the project and BlueSky has agreed to be the main sponsor for the event. Former Senator Pulefa’asisina P. Tuiasosopo has been selected as the scholar for the Fatuga Project and has already held the introductory workshop for writing original Samoan songs.

Tonight’s performances will be a sample or showcase for the Fatuga Project. Next week, registration will be open for interested youth groups and DYWA anticipates that 20 groups will sign up, attend the workshops, and participate in the live TV coverage that will feature 3-6 group performances every week.

For tonight's showcase, the groups have written their own songs based on any one of the two themes they selected:

1) “O LE TUANA’I E FA’APOTO AI LE LUMANA’I”

2) “TAUTUANA MA OE LOU SI’OSI’OMAGA”

"They will be using only one tune (fatutasi) style songs and will be treading 'lightly' on the oratory language lyrics," Tapumanaia explained. Each group is comprised of two or more, but less than ten members.

The program is being funded by the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council as a major grant program.

The project will achieve the following;

•            Youth leaders/representatives will learn how to compose Samoan original songs and/or music;

•            Youth will learn the correct usage of our Samoan language in composing Samoan original songs and/or music;

•            Youth will appreciate the use of Samoan ancient musical equipment still being used today;

•            The live coverage competition will develop youths’ level of confidence about themselves and eliminate stage phobia;

•            Youth will learn to collaborate with each other by brainstorming ideas to compose their songs under time constraints; and

•            The networking with other youth groups will develop friendships which will enrich the individuals of today and tomorrow.

DYWA Acting Director Pa'u Taito Roy Ausage said in an initial interview, "since the project focuses on Samoan songwriting and composition, the participants will learn how our Samoan cultural language is used in song composition and how it relates to various cultural practices - ancient and/or modern, that may also contribute to improving the cultural lives of our youth."