Fagaloa is located on the north eastern coast of Upolu island in Samoa. The area is a significant region of conservation and culture. The bay is situated within the political district of Va'a-o-Fonoti and is ruled by Alii Sili Title of the Mata'utia Family line in Lona.
The distinctive features of the Fagaloa area portrays some of the most interesting myths and legends in Samoan mythology which are considered invaluable and relevant to the peoples' cultural lifestyle.
The King of Tonga, the Tui Toga (Tu'i Tonga in Tongan), took Sinavaituu, daughter of Tuifiti and Sinasamoa, to wife. They begot Tuitoga-Faisautele. Faisautele married Painuulasi and begot Ulualofaiga and a girl named Vaetoifaga. Utufanu-nutunutu who was an adherent of the High Chief and sovereign of A'ana (Tui A'ana) Tamalelagi went to Tonga and induced Vaetoifaga to come to Samoa. He told her that Samoa, her mother's home, was a very beautiful country and different to anything that she had seen. He told her of the wonderful Vai-mata-iva (water pool with nine eyes.) and of the magnetic stone which rises in the water and scrubs the dirt off ones back when bathing. He also told her of the wonderful trees that stood on the banks of this pool and moved as if dancing. Vaitoifaga was captivated by these false stories and came to Samoe. The real reason for bringing her to Samoa was to marry her to Tui A'ana Tamalelagi. When she discovered her position she said she would not agree to marry Tui A'ana without the consent of her brother Ulualofaiga who was in Tonga. When Tui A'ana was convinced that she was determined to adhere to her decision he offered to give to her brother the villages of Vaialua and Nofoalii and down as far as Matatao if she would consent to be his wife. She agreed to these terms and was married. She gave birth to Salamasina who was proclaimed queen of Aana after her father's death.
Ulualofaiga came to Samoa in search of his sister and brought with him one hundred war canoes manned by the slaves of his father Tuitogafaisautele. He arrived at Afagaloa in Savai'i and this town was the home of Sinaletinae. He learned that his sister had become the wife of Tamalelagi and he sailed to Aana to find her. His sister went out into the lagoon at Aana to welcome him and to hand over to him the villages that had been given to him by Tui A'ana. She begged him not to start fighting on her behalf as she was about to become a mother. He agreed and landed with his men and took possession of the villages. The reunion of Ulualofaiga and Vaetoifaga was referred to as “Sootaga mai” which means reconoilliation as the result of pregnancy.
After remaining in Aana for some time, Ulualofaiga proceeded to Fagaloa the home of his ancestors. On his way there he had many fights with opposing districts and he always fought from the gatai ala which means the sea side of the road and was always successful. These victories gave rise to the phrase which is used in all districts “Tulouna a le gatai ala” (meaning “compliments to the party on the seaward side of the road). Ulualofaiga finally reached Fagaloa and there he established his domain.
During the war against Samalaulu for the Kingship of Samoa, Fonoti sought the assistance of Ulualofaiga's war fleet. Having defeated Samaluulu and made King of Samoa, King Fonoti ruled from his residence in neighbouring Falefa. In return for the services rendered, King Fonoti granted Ulualofaiga autonomous rulership over the Fagaloa District as well as giving him the village of Amanave in Tutuila. Among the many titles the King gave to those who helped him, he also gave Faleapuna and Fagaloa the title 'Vaa-o-Fonoti' (Fonoti's War Canoe) in recognition of their skilled naval fleets who bested the formidable Manono fleet at sea. These titles and salutations distinguishes the district down to the present day.
The geographic area consists of a mountain formation rising out of the sea. At the base of the bay lies the village Ta'elefaga at the mouth of the Malata river. To the east above the villages of Lona and Uafato are several waterfalls by mountain forests. On the western side is Mount Fao with spurs dissolving seaward into cliffs called Utuloa. Further east lies Uafato Bay at the eastern base of Malata river which displays spectacular landscape of lush rainforest and waterfalls.
Situated at Fagaloa Bay are the villages of Sauano, Saletele, Musumusu, Salimu, Ta'elefaga, Maasina, Lona, Samamea and Uafato. [1]
The area Fagaloa Bay - Uafato Tiavea Conservation Zone includes native forests and bird life earmarked for Unesco's world heritage protection.
Politics of Samoa takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic state whereby the Prime Minister of Samoa is the head of government. Existing alongside the country's Western-styled political system is the fa'amatai chiefly system of socio-political governance and organisation, central to understanding Samoa's political system.
Queen Salamasina was a powerful and high-ranking woman in Samoan social history. She held the four papā (district) titles which gave her the paramount status of Tafa‘ifā on the western islands of Samoa. Contrary to popular belief she was not the first Tafa'ifā, as these titles were willed to her by their previous possessor, Nafanua. She is the titular ancestor of two of the four paramount titles of Samoa, Tupua Tamasese of Falefa and Salani and the Amaile Mataafa line.
Samoa is made up of eleven itūmālō. These are the traditional eleven districts that were established well before European arrival. Each district has its own constitutional foundation (faavae) based on the traditional order of title precedence found in each district's faalupega.
Aʻana is a district of Samoa. It is on the western third of Upolu island, with a small exclave surrounded by Aiga-i-le-Tai. It has an area of 193 km2 and a population of 23,265. The main centre is Leulumoega.
Ātua is an ancient political district of Samoa, consisting of most of the eastern section of Upolu and the island Tutuila. Within Samoa's traditional polity, Ātua is ruled by the Tui Ātua together with the group of six senior orators of Lufilufi and 13 senior matai from throughout Ātua, comprising the Fale Ātua. The fono (meeting) of Atua's rulers takes place in Lufilufi on the great malae of Lalogafu'afu'a.
Vaʻa-o-Fonoti is a district on the north east coast of Upolu Island in Samoa, with a population of 1,621, making it the least populated district in the country and the Second smallest one by area after Aiga-i-le-Tai.
Nafanua was a historical ali'i (chief/queen) and toa (warrior) of Samoa from the Sā Tonumaipe'ā clan, who took four pāpā (district) titles, the leading ali'i titles of Samoa. After her death she became a goddess in Polynesian religion.
Susuga Malietoa Laupepa was the ruler (Malietoa) of Samoa in the late 19th century. He was first crowned in 1875.
Tupua (known as Tupua Tamasese) is a state dynasty and one of the four paramount chiefly titles of Samoa, known as the Tama-a-Aiga or 'Sons of the Great Families'). It is the titular head of one of Samoa's two great royal families - Sā Tupua, the lineage of Queen Salamasina. The 'Tupua' refers to Salamasina's descendant, King Tupua Fuiavailili, who was the first to unite both of Salamasina's descent lines in his personage and ascended to the Kingship of Samoa in c.1550, upon the death of his adoptive father, King Muagututi'a. Tupua Fuiavailili was adopted by his aunt, Fenunu'ivao (daughter of Leutele and wife of King Muagututi'a) and named as the King's successor. Tupua's rise also led to the first usage of the term "Tama-a-'aiga" by the orator polity of Leulumoega and Lufilufi, in reference to his many genealogical connections to the great families of Ātua. The 'Tamasese' part refers to his descendant Tupua Tamasese Titimaea, whose prowess in battle and generosity won favour with many of his followers and whose actions restored the Salamasina line's prestige. All subsequent Tupua title holders have thus carried the two names together since then.
Aunuʻu is a small volcanic island off the southeastern shore of Tutuila in Saʻole County, American Samoa. It has a land area of 374.83 acres, and a 2010 census population of 436 persons. Politically, it is a part of the Eastern District, one of the two primary political divisions of American Samoa.
The Tuʻipelehake is the second highest ranking chiefly title in Tonga. In the absence of the ancient Tuʻi Faleua title, the Tuʻipelehake title is second in rank after the King's title, Tuʻi Kanokupolu. There have been several holders of the title mainly from the ruling royal family, from princes to prime ministers. It is Tongan custom to refer to the holder by his customary title, only adding his given name if confusion may arise. For example, Tuʻi Pelehake (ʻUluvalu).
Tuʻi-tā-tui(translation: The king who strikes the knee) was the 11th king of the Tuʻi Tonga, a dynasty in Tonga, who lived during the 12th century AD.
Le Susuga Malietoa Talavou Tonumaipeʻa was installed as "King" of Samoa to the western world on August 28, 1879, until his death on November 9, 1880. Since Malietoa Talavou's half brother's death, Malietoa Moli in 1860, ongoing wars due to power and authority struggle between Talavou and Laupepa over the next Malietoa title holder and the gaining of support by the districts of Samoa. Family rivalry existed as did a 30-year age difference drew a wedge between Malietoa Laupepa and Malietoa Talavou. They were known to be longtime rivals over the Malietoa title.
Falefā is located on the north eastern coast of Upolu island in Samoa. It was the ancient capital during the ‘Malo’ (‘government’) of Tupu Tafa'ifa (King) Fonoti. After having defeated his siblings Va'afusuaga and Samalaulu for control of Samoa, King Fonoti chose to rule from his new seat in Falefa, an honour remembered in its faalupega to this day.
Fa'amatai is the indigenous political ('chiefly') system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society. It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in both Samoas, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa. The term comprises the prefix fa'a and the word matai.
Sina and the Eel is a myth of origins in Samoan mythology, which explains the origins of the first coconut tree.
Samamea is a village on the north east coast of Upolu island in Samoa. It is the main village or 'capital' of the political district Va'a-o-Fonoti. The village's population is 45.
Ama is a title originating c. 1400 AD, and bestowed upon the paramount chief and commander in war of the district of Safata, situated south of the island of Upolu, within the country of Samoa. It is a hereditary title. The title originated from Lotofaga, a village within the Safata district. Lotofaga is a village that sits in the middle of the Safata Bay. The village has been described as the following: 'Here the surf is sometimes so wild that one cannot sleep because of the roar; therefore it is called Galutatu'. It is also known as Le-Faga-o-Alii, translated in Samoan as 'The Bay of Chiefs'. This is in reference to the Ama that resides there. Lotofaga is traditionally known to be a village of refuge for those in need as well as a place to observe and learn of Samoan chief customs and etiquette.
Coronations in Oceania are, or were, held in the following countries:
AfiogaTuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Eti Sualauvi II is a Samoan politician who is the current O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa, in office since 2017.
13°55′44″S171°32′35″W / 13.929°S 171.543°W
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