Noted Healer Pela Lilo Dies
Samoan healer Pela Lilo, who is the central figure in Paul Cox's book Nafanua: Saving the Samoan Rain Forest, died on Sept. 7, 2000 in Falealupo, Savaii. Although her age was unknown, she was believed to be ninety years old. Pela Lilo was regarded as one of Samoa's top healers, and was know throughout Savaii for her gentleness and caring.
"It is a great loss," reports Dr. Paul Cox, who visited with Pela on her deathbed. "All that remains of her encyclopedic knowledge of healing plants are my notes and a few tape recordings. Pela was a wonderful person, and we shall miss her greatly."
