Plant Knowledge as Living Material Culture

Plant Knowledge

Tiapapata Art Centre, Samoa | Saturday 13 June 2026 | 8:30am-4:00pm

This workshop brings together youth, knowledge holders, researchers, artists, conservation partners and community organisations to explore how plant knowledge can support cultural continuity, biodiversity awareness, climate resilience and intergenerational learning.

Project Summary

Growing Climate Resilience and Regeneration through Intergenerational and Transnational Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Skills Exchange is a collaborative project involving the University of St Andrews and partners in Samoa and Costa Rica. The project explores how traditional ecological knowledge, plant lore, community heritage, and intergenerational learning can support climate resilience, biodiversity awareness, cultural continuity and regeneration.

The Samoa workshop at Tiapapata Art Centre is framed around plant knowledge as living material culture. It will explore the ways plants and trees are used in Samoan cultural practice, including fibre and cordage, siapo, natural dyes and pigments, artisanal paper, fale construction, tools, healing, food, ecological stewardship and cultural memory.

The programme will bring together youth representatives, knowledge holders, artisans, educators, researchers, scientific and conservation organisations, and environmental agencies. It will combine field visits, practical demonstrations, youth reflection, panel discussion and informal talanoa.

Tamaligi fua pa‘epa‘e (Moringa oleifera), commonly known as the drumstick tree, is a fast-growing species introduced to Samoa and valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Its leaves, flowers, and seed pods are rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and antioxidants, leading to its classification as a “superfood.” While anecdotal evidence suggests that moringa is not widely recognised or utilised by many Samoan traditional healers, this may partly reflect its status as a relatively recent introduction rather than a plant deeply embedded within older Samoan healing traditions. With non-communicable diseases becoming an increasing public health concern in Samoa, growing numbers of Samoans are exploring moringa’s potential as both a food and medicinal plant. Its value is also recognised by the Ministry of Health, which actively promotes its use. The expanding global market for moringa products has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, demonstrating how traditional knowledge and nutritional value can also create new economic opportunities.

Related Field Visits:

Field visits are being planned for Thursday 11 June and Friday 12 June 2026. Confirmed and proposed sites include the SROS Medicinal Garden at Papauta, the MNRE Botanical Garden at Vailima, Malololelei Reserve, and a visit to the O le Pupu-Pu‘e National Park. These visits will support discussion of medicinal plants, native flora, forest and mangrove ecosystems, plant uses, biodiversity, conservation, invasive species, and respectful documentation of knowledge.

Workshop Aims

Strengthen youth awareness of Samoan plant knowledge and its links with culture, biodiversity and climate resilience.
Create opportunities for intergenerational learning between young people, community knowledge holders, artisans and technical experts.
Explore responsible approaches to documenting plant names, uses, stories and cultural practices.
Encourage practical community action through planting, knowledge sharing and ongoing collaboration between schools, youth groups, science organisations, conservation partners and cultural institutions.

Lau togotogo (Centella asiatica), also known as Asian pennywort or gotu kola, is a low-growing leafy plant known in Samoa as togo/togotogo. In Samoan medicinal plant knowledge, its leaves have been used both internally and externally, especially in preparations for inflammatory conditions and other traditional ailments. As a food, it is valued in parts of Asia as a leafy green and contains beneficial plant compounds, carotenoids, minerals and antioxidants. Modern research is strongest around its traditional use in supporting minor wound healing and skin repair, while other benefits such as circulation, memory and anti-inflammatory effects remain promising but should be described with care.

Neda Mei, with traditional healers (taulasea) Purinisese Futi and Saumalu Teofilo, Malololelei Reserve. and