The Fonofale Model: A Basic Conceptualisation

Created by Pulotu-Endemann (2001), the Fonofale model of health represents a traditional Samoan meeting house called Fonofale. It comprises of the roof, the foundation, and its four pillars. Surrounding the Fonofale is the social context of culture, the environment, and the element of time. 

The foundation/floor - the family [aiga]

The family is at the base of the model because it is the foundation for Pasifika cultures. This might be a nuclear family, made up of parents and their children, or an extended family bound by marriage, kinship, titles etc. Ancestry and connection to the land and sea are also represented by this part of the model.

The roof - culture

The roof is seen as the culturally-defined values and belief-systems that provide shelter for the family. Systems of culture are dynamic and thus constantly evolve and adapt to their context and environment. For example, in the case of New Zealand's Pasifika population, we can see marked cultural differences between Pacific island people raised in New Zealand and those raised in their home countries.

The four posts [pou]

The four pou connect rise up from the foundation to support the roof of the fale. These pou provide a source of connection between culture and family, whilst also being in constant interaction with each other. 

• Spiritual: this pou represents well-being connected to institutional religious beliefs such as Christianity, or pre-European modes of spirituality rooted in nature, ancestor-worship, spirits, language and history. For some Pacific island people, spirituality might consist of a combination of the two.
  
  
• Physical: this pou represents well-being as it relates to the body in a physical and biological sense. Here, we must consider the relationship between the body and the substances which can impact it both positively and negatively, such as water, food, air, medication etc.
  
  
• Mental: represents well-being as it relates to the mind. Here, we must consider the interrelationship between cognition [thoughts], emotions, and behaviour. 
  
  
• Other: represents variables and individual differences that can have direct or indirect effects on well-being - for example, gender, sexuality/sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status.

Environment

This dimension relates to the interrelationship between Pasifika people and the physical environment around them. This setting might be rural or urban, natural or manmade.

Time

This dimension represents historical time and the way time-bound events impact Pacific island people. 

Context

This dimension represents the contextual 'where', 'how' or 'what' circumstances, and the meaning that a person or people make from these situational factors. For example, context might be a factor when considering Pasifika people raised in their country of origin or those raised in New Zealand. Context might also include legal, political and socioeconomic circumstances.