Ifoga
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Ifoga is a Samoan ceremony of apology, in which one party ritually and publicly humiliates themselves and offers a gift of ʻIe tōga (fine mats) in exchange for forgiveness by another. It is a part of traditional dispute resolution between families in Faʻa Sāmoa where mediation has failed. The term comes from the word ifo, "to bow down".[1]: 109
In an ifoga, the party seeking forgiveness sits before the house of the wronged party and is then covered up by fine mats.[2] Traditionally this is done under cover of darkness, with the party seeking forgiveness bringing firewood, stones, and banana leaves (required for an earth oven).[1]: 115 Forgiveness is given when the wronged party removes the mats, and this is followed by exchanges of speeches and gifts.[3]: 19 While traditionally an ifoga could result in prolonged waiting, or even be rejected,[4] in contemporary Samoa it is almost always accepted quickly.[3]: 23