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🇼🇸 Samoa · Traditional

Fofōフォフォ（サモアの伝統手技）

The bodywork of Samoan traditional medicine: kneading with coconut oil, extending to care around pregnancy and for infants; bone-setting belongs to the specialist fofōgau.

Traditional healing system

This name is recorded with basic database information. An in-depth article will follow.

Fact sheet

Origin
🇼🇸 Samoa
Era
Traditional
Classification
Traditional healing system
Techniques
Oil / Pressure
Practitioner body parts
Palm / Thumb
Medium
Oil
Clothing
Clothed
Setting
Table

Cultural meaning

Samoan traditional medicine distinguishes the taulāsea (herbalist), fofō (massage healer), fofōgau (bone-setter) and faʻatosaga (midwife). Fofō means to massage or treat, and is traditionally understood as guiding the toʻala, the body's centre, back to its proper place.

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Sources & references

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