A memory game that teaches Samoan
Fai Mai Simona is Talofa Talk’s take on Simon Says. Fai mai Simona means “Simon says,” and the game uses that classic watch-and-repeat idea to teach the Samoan words for colors. Instead of memorizing a list, you see a color, hear it, and tap it back, round after round, until the word sticks.
It works for kids and adults alike. It follows the same idea behind everything in Talofa Talk: you learn Samoan by using it, not by memorizing lists.
How to play
Press Taʻalo (Play) and watch the board. One color lights up with a drum beat, and you tap the same color back. Each round adds one more color to the chain, and you repeat the whole sequence from the start. Miss one and the round ends.
The board uses six Samoan colors:
- Mūmū: red
- Meamata: green
- Samasama: yellow
- Moana: blue
- Moli: orange
- Viole: purple
Each pad shows the Samoan word, its English meaning and a pronunciation guide, so you learn the word while you play. Below the board, a color key lets you tap any color to hear its tone.
Four levels and ways to practice
- Faigofie (Easy): 4 colors at a gentle pace
- Feoloolo (Medium): 5 colors at a brisker pace
- Faigata (Hard): all 6 colors, faster
- Toa (Warrior): all 6 colors at top speed
Practice Mode takes away the game-over pressure and lets you replay the sequence as often as you need. Once you’re confident, the 1.5x setting speeds everything up. You can switch the sound between a Pātē log drum and island chimes, and add soft ocean waves in the background.
Every day brings Luʻitau o le Aso, the Daily Challenge. Everyone gets the same six-color sequence that day, so you can challenge a friend and compare scores. Nine badges reward your streaks and milestones along the way.
Start free, unlock the rest
Faigofie is free for everyone. The harder levels and the Daily Challenge come with Talofa Talk Plus ($3.99 a month or $27 a year), which also unlocks every Plus lesson, puzzle and flash card set in Talofa Talk.
Play at pasifikapages.net/fai-mai-simona, or open it from Games in the Talofa Talk lessons menu. Faʻafetai, and have fun!
