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Malietoa (pronounced /mah-lee-eh-toe-ah/) is a state dynasty and chiefly title in Samoa. Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands Archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean Politics of Samoa takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic state whereby the Prime Minister of Samoa is the Head of O le Ao o le Malo is the Samoan Head of state, which is the title's rough translation Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi, also known as Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi He was officially sworn in as O le Ao o le Malo at Samoa's Parliament ( Fono The Prime Minister of Samoa is the head of government in Samoa. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi (born 14 April 1945 in Lepa Samoa) is the current Prime Minister of Samoa. The Fono or Legislative Assembly is the Parliament of Samoa. "Fono" is a Samoan and Polynesian term for councils great and small Political parties in Samoa lists political parties in Samoa. As of 2007, Samoa has one officially-recognized political party the ruling Human Rights Samoa elects on national level a Legislature. The Fono or Legislative Assembly has 49 members elected for a five year term 47 members out of the General elections were held in Samoa on 4 March 2001. They were won by the Human Rights Protection Party, which took 23 of the 49 seats General elections were held in Samoa on 31 March 2006. The result was a Landslide victory for the Human Rights Protection Party, who Political Districts Samoa is made up of eleven itūmālō (political districts The Samoan Government is generally conservative and pro-Western with a strong interest in regional political and economic issues Information on politics by country is available for every Country, including both De jure and De facto independent A state is a political association with effective Sovereignty over a geographic Area and representing a Population. A dynasty is a succession of rulers who belong to the same family for generations A title is a prefix or suffix added to a person's name to signify either veneration an official position or a professional or academic qualification Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands Archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean Literally translated as "great warrior," the title's origin is associated with the volatile political scene of western Polynesia during the 13th century. Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a Subregion of Oceania, comprising a large grouping of over
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History
Polynesian legends suggest that Tongan kings of the Tu'i Tonga dynasty had ruled, at various times in prehistory, many of the western Polynesian islands including the Lau islands of Fiji, Niue, Tokelau, parts of New Caledonia, parts of the Solomon Islands,'Uvea, Futuna, Tuvalu, Samoa ('Upolu, Tutuila, Savai'i and Rotuma. jkdlfalfjkj kiera germany dsaklfalfjkaskj The Tui Tonga is a line of Tongan kings which originated in the 10th century with the mythical {{okina}}Aho{{okina}}eitu Wallis ( Uvea) is an Island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to the French overseas collectivity ( Collectivité d'outre-mer Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian Island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands Archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean In Hawaii Upolu Point is the northern cape of the Big Island of Hawai‘i to get the next two lines --> Savai’i, the "soul of Samoa" is the larger main Island in the state of Samoa, formed by a massive Basaltic Shield volcano which rises Rotuma is a Fijian Dependency, consisting of the island of Rotuma and the nearby islets of Hatana, Hạf Liua, Solkope, Solnohu Tu'i Tonga Talakaifaiki established a permanent residence at Safotu, Savai'i, Samoa [1] and installed his brother, Lautivunia, as governor of Tutuila and Aunu'u islands. Aunu'u is a small volcanic island on the south-east of American Samoa in the South Pacific Ocean. Samoan lore suggests that Talakaifaiki's reign was one of tyranny and oppression that was highly resented by his Samoan subjects.
The seeds of rebellion were planted, according to legend, to the "sons" of Atiogie, namely Savea, Tuna, Fata and Ulumasui (who was actually a grandson of Atiogie). The three brothers and their nephew lead a wide-scale campaign of civil disobedience which ultimately escalated into the military overthrow of Talakaifaiki. Driven westward from Aleipata, 'Upolu (where the Tu'i Tonga's birthday festivities were underway) to the coast of Mulifanua, the king and his bodyguards were cornered against the sea.
The "sons" of Atiogie and their allies spared Talakaifaiki's life and permitted him and his entourage to board canoes destined for Tongatapu. Upon his departure, the aged monarch delivered a short speech which praised the chivalry of Samoan warriors and conceded victory to his once-subjects. The Malietoa title is taken from the opening phrase of that speech: "Malie toa, malie tau," meaning "great warriors, well fought. " [2]
It is said that the brothers Tuna and Fata both took a fancy to the honor spoken by the deposed Tu'i Tonga and a quarrel between the two ensued. Legend tells that one brother was struck dead by the other and chaos was averted by their eldest brother, Savea, who resuscitated and placated both contenders.
The political vacuum left by the ousting of Talakaifaiki was immediately filled by Savea, who was unanimously nominated as paramount ruler of 'Upolu, Savai'i, Manono and Tutuila. Savea was bestowed the title Malietoa which his brothers had fought over and was hence honored in Samoan oratory as Malietoa Savea-ali'i (Lord Savea), Na-fa'alogo-iai-Samoa (He Who Samoa Listened To), Savea Tu-vae-lua (Savea Who Stands on Both Feet), and Savea-matua (Savea the Elder).
Succession List
The following is one of the common lists of the Malietoa paramounts. A handful of other versions are also recorded, however the overall consistency of chronology and nomenclature is impressive given the oral nature of Samoan genealogy transmission. Genealogy (from Greek: el γενεά el-Latn genea, "descent" and el λόγος el-Latn logos, "knowledge" is the study of
1. Malietoa Savea - the first Malietoa and first central monarch of Samoa following the alleged Tongan occupation of 'Upolu, Savai'i and Tutuila.
2. Malietoa Uilamatutu - also known as Malietoa Faiga or Malietoa Faisautele. Well-known in Samoan mythology as a tyrant cannibal who exacted human tribute from his subjects. Cannibalism (from Spanish es ''caníbal'' in connection with cannibalism among the Antillean Caribs, also called anthropophagy (from Greek ἄνθρωπος [3] He married Lealainuanua, a daughter of the Tu'i Tonga, and resided at Malie on 'Upolu island. His brothers Leupolusavea and Ganasavea may have also ruled as Malietoa either in succession or simultaneously (as rivals).
3. Malietoa Galoa'itofo
4. Malietoa Sona'ilepule
5. Malietoa Seali'itele
6. Malietoa Uilematutu
7. Malietoa Fetoloa'i
8. Malietoa 'Ula - also known as Malietoa Vaetui or Malietoa Valaletimu. Said to have been a cruel cannibal king who lived at Leoneuta, near the village of Amoa on 'Upolu island.
9. Malietoa Lepalealai - a "scholar chief" known for his wit and love of complicated riddles
10. Malietoa Uitualagi - his position in the genealogy is debatable; some believe he was the biological son of Uilamatutu, others call him an adopted son, and yet others assert that his position is seven generations removed from Uilamatutu (as he is listed here).
11. Malietoa La'auli - also known as Malietoa La'ailepouliuli. An adopted son of Uitualagi; thus, the bloodline of Malietoa Savea does not continue along the patrilineal succession of the Malietoa title from this point on. Patrilineality (aka agnatic kinship) is a system in which one belongs to one's father's lineage it generally involves the Inheritance of property names or titles
12. Malietoa Fuaoleto'elau - the biological son of Uitualagi who opposed his adoptive brother La'auli by setting up a rival government at Si'umu, 'Upolu. Tohu'ia Limapo, the Samoan ancestress of the Tu'i Kanokupolu dynasty of Tonga was a member of the 'Ama family of Safata which descends from Fuaoleto'elau. In Tonga, the Tui Kanokupolu is a Title held by the chief of the House of Tupou, currently the Royal House of Tonga [4]
13. Malietoa Falefatu - son of Malietoa La'auli (may have been adopted).
14. Malietoa Sagagaimuli - son of Falefatu. Also known as Malietoa Fe'ai (The Wild). Portrayed in oral tradition as a cannibal and bloodthirsty warrior who preferred the battlefield to the royal court.
15. Malietoa Taulapapa - confusion exists regarding this figure because at least two men with the same name laid claim to the title during this period. One Malietoa Taulapapa was a descendant of Malietoa Falefatu while another was a matrilineal descendant of Malietoa La'auli. Matrilineality is a system in which lineage is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors
16. Malietoa Taia'opo - the only female Malietoa known to history. Her husband was a ranking Tongan chief named Anava'o who carried the Fale Fisi title of Tu'i Lakepa. [5]Legend mentions her reign as one of benevolence and peace. Her brother Seiuli was probably also a Malietoa at one time, although an alternate explanation asserts that Malietoa Seiuli was a descendant of Malietoa Sagagaimuli who claimed the title during this time. A Malietoa Leafuitevaga is also mentioned at this point in some genealogies.
17. Malietoa Tuila'epa - apparently held the Fijian-derived Tongan title of Tu'i Lakepa (Tuila'epa) which his father held, as well as the Malietoa.
18. Malietoa To'oa Tuila'epa - may be the same person as Tuila'epa.
19. Malietoa 'Ae'o'ainu'u - son of either Tuila'epa or To'oa Tuila'epa. Named after 'Ae, the fierce war chief of Tutuila.
20. Malietoa Laulauafolasa
21. Malietoa Muagututi'a - also known as Malietoa Ti'a. Relocated the Malietoa political headquarters and royal household from Malie, 'Upolu to Sapapali'i, Savai'i. Founded the official Malietoa residence compound called Feagaimaleata.
22. Malietoa Fitisemanu I - was challenged by his uncle, Tauasa, and another man named Mano'o for the Malietoa title. Was heavily involved in national politics/warfare though Malietoa power at this point had waned to regional dominance in eastern Savai'i, Tuamasaga district, and parts of Atua and A'ana districts.
23. Malietoa Vainuupo - born about 1765. United the paramount titles of western Samoa (Tuia'ana, Tuiatua, Gato'aitele, Tamasoali'i) and emerged as sole de facto monarch (tupu) and titular ruler (tafa'ifa) after decades of war, alliance formation and strategic chiefly marriage. Known as Samoa's first Christian king, he greeted Reverend John Williams (missionary) of the London Missionary Society in 1830 and authorized the evangelization of his people. The London Missionary Society was a non-denominational Missionary society formed in England in 1795 by evangelical Anglicans and Signed the first treaties between Samoa and the United States, [6] formalized relations with the Kingdom of Manu'a, and accepted Christianity before his death in 1841. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Manua or the Manua Islands Group (Samoan Manua tele) consists of three main islands Ta{{okina}}u, Ofu and Olosega. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings
Modern Branches of the Sa Malietoa
The descendants of the Malietoa lineage, both titular and biological, are referred to collectively as the Sa Malietoa. The Sa Malietoa of today is expansive and transcends geographical boundaries, religious persuasions, socio-economic class and even ethnicity (considering various chiefly families in Tonga, Fiji and other Pacific societies are genealogically linked to the Malietoa family).
The subject of descendants of the Malietoa title is a thorny one riddled with claim and counter claim present from the first Malietoa to the present day. According to one line - Sa Tautaioleua (Poutoa), they are the the oldest branch of the Sa Malietoa.
The next branch - Perhaps the most well-known of the three modern branches, the Sa Moli has been highlighted as Samoa's royal family for over a century. The families of the Sa Moli trace their genealogies to Malietoa Moli, (his half-brother was styled as Talavou). [7]. From the 1860s to the turn of the century, there was significant unrest and outbreaks of fighting between opposing royal families, Malietoa, Tamasese and Mataafa. The source of unrest stems from the death of Malietoa Moli in 1860. Malietoa Laupepa was succeeded to the title Malietoa by Malietoa Tanumafili I whose son Malietoa Tanumafili II was Samoa's last constitutional monarch, ruling both as Malietoa and Head of State of Western Samoa until his death (Western Samoa was officially shortened to Samoa in the 1990s). Well-known members of the Sa Moli include Papali'i Fa'amausili Moli, the only surviving son of Tanumafili II who was installed as Malietoa in 2007; and To'oa Salamasina, the sister of Tanumafili II, who is the highest ranking member of the Sa Moli by traditional Samoan feagaiga and ilamutu customs. [8] Malietoa Tanumafili II was one of the world's longest-reigning monarchs when he died in 2007. King Malietoa Tanumafili II, GCMG, CBE, ( January 4, 1913 &ndash May 11, 2007) (also called Susuga) was He was installed as Western Samoa's Head of State (O le Ao o le Malo) in 1962 and ruled as constitutional monarch and Malietoa until his death. Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a Monarchic or Republican Nation-state Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Sa Tautaioleua, eldest son of Malietoa Vainuupo Tavita (Poutoa) maintains a family council house in Sapapali'i called Poutoa.
The "home" of the Sa Malietoa in Sapapalii, Savaii is called "Poutoa". The "home" of the Sa Tautaioleua branch in Sapapali'i, Savaii. The Talavou maota is "Pouesi",[9] the restored former residence of Talavou. The Sa Natuitasina considers the Maota Pouvi (Taimalelagi's former residential grounds) to be their familial "headquarters" and their council house is also located in Sapapali'i, Savai'i. Jimmy Thunder (born February 3, 1966 in Apia, Western Samoa as James Peau) is a former Samoan boxer who [10]
Ongoing Titular Dispute
Fa'amausili Papali'i Moli Malietoa, the only surviving son of Malietoa Tanumafili II, was bestowed the Malietoa title in 2007 during a ceremony conducted in the village of Malie in the early morning hours according to the traditions of the bestowal of the Malietoa title. Widespread discontent emanating from the Sa Talavou and Sa Natuitasina clans with the title bestowal has led to public denunciations by leading protagonists Le Tagaloa Pita Pola and others, and the issuance of an interim injunction by the Lands and Title Court which legally prevents Papali'i Fa'amausili Moli from claiming and using the title Malietoa in any setting [11]. The opposing clans (including Sa Natuitasina and Sa Talavou) claim they did not nominate Fa'amausili unanimously; additionally a grandson of Malietoa Tanumafili II (and nephew of Papalii Faamausili) has also asserted a claim to the title (Papali'i Malietau Sapatumotupa Malietoa is the son of the late Papalii Laupepa Malietoa). A claimant from New Zealand named Ronald Pomare Papali'i Lafo has named himself the rightful heir to the Malietoa title [12]. The succession is currently being reviewed in court with no imminent consensus or leading candidate at this time.
In 2008, it was announced that the Land and Titles Court would hear the case in May, to determine the right to the title. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common International holidays May 1 - Labour Day ( Pakistan) May 1 - Labour Day ( Singapore) [13] Radio New Zealand International reported that the case was "likely to take years to sort out". Radio New Zealand International (RNZI is the official International broadcasting station of New Zealand. [14]
External links
- New Zealand Herald: Two men make history in Samoa
- News article on the history of the Malietoa Title: "Uncertain times ahead as Samoa deals with new order"
References
- ^ Journal of the Polynesian Society[1]
- ^ Tuvale, Te'o. An Account of Samoan History up to 1918. [2]
- ^ Flood & Strong. Pacific Island Legends. [3]
- ^ Gifford, Edward. 1929. Tongan Society. Bishop Museum Press. pp. 87, 100, 102
- ^ Gunson, Neil. 1987. Sacred Women Chiefs and Female "Headmen. " Journal of Pacific History.
- ^ Bevans, Charles (1968). Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America. Dept. of State.
- ^ Sapapali'i Community Website [4]
- ^ Gunson, Neil. Sacred Women Chiefs and Female "Headmen. " Journal of Pacific History
- ^ Sapapali'i Community Website[5]
- ^ Sapapali'i Community Website [6]
- ^ Radio New Zealand International. . . [7]. . .
- ^ Media Release. . . [8]. . .
- ^ "Right to Malietoa title to be heard in Samoa’s Land and Titles Court next month", Radio New Zealand International, April 13, 2008
- ^ "Dispute over title in Samoa could take years", Radio New Zealand International, April 14, 2008
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