There is nothing more admirable than different groups of individuals from different backgrounds, families, denominations, and villages coming together to embrace and classically enjoy a cultural event that displays not only the sportsmanship of the both male and female but their determinations to accomplish something for the team. How often does a whole community collaborate and participate together as one to support the same cause? How often do a dozen individuals get to showcase their athletic talents and humble personalities in front of a crowd? You do not necessarily have to be in the X-Factor competition to get more than ten audiences rooting for you or for the whole world to hear about you through media and social networks.
Instead, American Samoa has a unique way of giving the opportunity for people of all ages to show their friends, families and visitors what they are capable of, and their ability to muscularly engage in a traditional sport called Cricket. It has its similarities with the American baseball tournament but both are contrasted by the structure of the game and its bylaws. However, like the Baseball Games in America, cricket games in American Samoa are perceived as one of the highlighted times of the year. The tournament occurs annually as a competition between different teams from each village. To explain cricket in words is very difficult, but to watch it in person will not only allow understanding but the spectators will feel a sense of culture and belonging, even if one is a tourist.
Cricket games happen annually but the season normally runs from January to April, in relevance to the local Flag Day. This year’s Cricket planning started from January 25, 2014 until a week prior to Flag Day, the Championship game. And like every Championship game of each sport, fans will go all out in supporting their teams and their villages. With that being said, yesterday, February 20, 2014, I was able to witness a tightening crowd game between the Tama o le Sinapati from the village of Tafuna and the Tama o le Mua’au from the village of Faleniu. Yesterday’s game was one that had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats. These two cricket teams are two of the best teams and have been rivals since the starting of the Cricket League. Tama o le Mua’au Cricket team won Championship last year and had several victories prior to last year. However, that legacy is about to change with their loss to the Tama o le Sinapati yesterday. What was even more interesting yesterday was the tension between the players, and although I was just watching the players, I felt what they felt. Being so steady and mind focused on which direction the ball will come through and how to strategize hitting it. The adrenaline rush of the desire to score extreme points for the team and village transmitted on to the spectators influencing the incline of roaring support from people all over the island.
The sight of cooperation and collaboration I witnessed yesterday led me to realize how important cricket games have become to the lives of my people, and it matters that we practice it and enjoy what it has to offer, especially the unity of my people. If the beauty of the island is what you call paradise, then try looking deeper into what creates that beauty, the people. And you can only see it when they are all together for a cricket game.
-Tammie Taylor
