Research report, Tatala le ta’ui le Atua: Rolling out the fine mat of scripture.

Abstract

This report outlines some of the research carried out by members of the project, ‘Tatala le ta’ui le Atua: Rolling out the fine mat of scripture’, funded by the New Zealand Institute for Pacific Research. The project (which took place between 2017 and 2018) asked how Samoan churches can best participate in wider efforts to tackle the country’s high rates of violence against women. This report outlines some of the goals, challenges, and outcomes of the project, using as its focus a conference presentation about the project by its lead researcher, Dr Mercy Ah Siu-Maliko. This presentation captures perfectly the aims, motivations, and challenges of ‘Tatala le ta’ui a le Atua’, as well as illuminating the crucial role that Ah Siu-Maliko has played in shaping the project’s philosophy.