Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands, is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji to the southwest, Tonga to the southeast, Samoa to the east, and Tokelau to the northeast.
Wallis is a Polynesian atoll/island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to the French overseas collectivity of Wallis and Futuna. It lies north of Tonga, northeast of Fiji, east-northeast of the Hoorn Islands, east of Fiji's Rotuma, southeast of Tuvalu, southwest of Tokelau and west of Samoa. Its area is almost 100 km2 (39 sq mi) with 8,333 people. Its capital is Mata Utu. Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion. Its highest point is Mount Lulu Fakahega. Wallis is of volcanic origin with fertile soil and some remaining lakes. Rainfall is plentiful.
Tu'i, also spelled more simplistically Tui, is a Polynesian traditional title for tribal chiefs or princes. In translations, the highest such positions are often rendered as "king". For details, see the links below various polities. Traditionally, a Tui is an equivalent of God title. Origin of Tui is believed to be Tui Manu'a.
Wallisian, or ʻUvean, is the Polynesian language spoken on Wallis Island. The language is also known as East Uvean to distinguish it from the related West Uvean language spoken on the outlier island of Ouvéa near New Caledonia. The latter island was colonised from Wallis Island in the 18th century.
Alo is one of three official chiefdoms of the French territory of Wallis and Futuna, in Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean.
Takala was a Wallisian customary chief of the Mua District who ruled as King of Uvea from 1831 to 1832. A descendant of King Vehi'ika, he took advantage of the arrival of a Hawaiian merchant, Siaosi Manini, to overthrow king Soane-Patita Vaimua Lavelua. After Manini's defeat at the end of January 1832, he lost his title. He died a few months later after another violent altercation with British and American sailors.
Soane-Patita Vaimua Lavelua was a king of Uvea in the 19th century. He was named king in 1829 at the age of thirty) and reigned until his death in 1858. During his reign, Marist missionaries landed in Wallis in 1837 and converted the population. He then became the first Lavelua baptized Catholic and took the name Jean-Baptiste, in Wallisian "Soane Patita". He died at almost sixty years of age of pneumonia on 21 November 1858. His sister Falakika Seilala succeeded him only a few weeks later, on 5 December 1858.
Falakika Seilala, was a Queen of Uvea, ruling from 1858 until 1869. She introduced the title Lavelua for all the kings and queens of Uvea. She succeeded her brother Soane-Patita Vaimua Lavelua, and was succeeded by her paternal niece Amelia Tokagahahau Aliki.
Leone Mulikiha'amea Matekitoga or Manikitoga was a king of Uvea, ruling from 16 March 1941 until 16 March 1947. He was preceded by Mikaele Tufele II, and succeeded by Pelenato Fuluhea.
Kapeliele Tufele III was a king of Uvea, who ruled from 17 April 1950 until 17 November 1953. He was preceded by Pelenato Fuluhea, and succeeded by Aloisia Brial.
ʻUvea is one of the three official chiefdoms of the French territory of Wallis and Futuna in Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean.
Wallis and Futuna, an overseas territory of France in Oceania, has a rich Polynesian culture that is very similar to the cultures of its neighbouring nations Samoa and Tonga. The Wallisian and Futunan cultures share very similar components in language, dance, cuisine and modes of celebration.
The kātoaga is a customary festival in Wallis and Futuna, a French overseas collectivity in Oceania with a Polynesian culture. During this ceremony, goods are exchanged, such as pigs, baskets of vegetables, banigs, tapa or envelopes filled with banknotes. It takes place on the occasion of religious festivals, political events or private events. Of ancient origin and present in many Polynesian societies, the katoaga obeys a strict ritual and protocol that has changed little since the Christianization of Wallis and Futuna in the 19th century. It begins with a Catholic mass, is followed by a meal, a kava ceremony and dances performed by the villagers, before the food brought by the inhabitants is redistributed to the dignitaries and the population, each gift being allocated according to the rank of the person for whom it is intended. Speeches, poems and stories from the oral tradition are recited by the participating dignitaries. These major customary celebrations mobilize several villages or districts, and require several weeks or even months of preparation.
The Second World War in Wallis and Futuna was a period of significant upheaval for this French protectorate territory in the Pacific.
'Aliki is a term in the Wallisian and Futunan Polynesian languages that refers to a category of people related to the chieftaincy of Wallis and Futuna and its members. In English, it is often translated as "noble" or "nobility," though this is an imperfect translation.
The customary kings of Wallis and Futuna are the leaders of the three traditional kingdoms of Uvea, Alo, and Sigave, which form part of the French overseas collectivity of Wallis and Futuna, located in Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. Wallis and Futuna coexist with the Oceanian monarchies of Samoa and Tonga. The authority and powers of the customary kings are recognized by the 1961 statute of Wallis and Futuna, which thus constitutes the last three active monarchies recognized by the French state on French territory. Additionally, the customary kings receive financial compensation from the state.
The 1961 Statute of Wallis and Futuna, formally designated as Law No. 61-814 of July 29, 1961, conferred upon the islands of Wallis and Futuna the status of an overseas territory. This legislative act effectively transformed the protectorate of Wallis and Futuna into an overseas territory of the French Republic. The Pacific islands thus became an integral part of the French Republic, while retaining their distinct institutional characteristics. In addition to the French authorities, the traditional authorities, particularly the customary kings of Uvea, Alo, and Sigave, their ministers, and village chiefs, are officially recognized.
The Protectorate of Wallis and Futuna was a French protectorate from March 5, 1888, to July 29, 1961, over the islands of Wallis, Futuna, and Alofi, in the Pacific Ocean. It was established at the request of the customary kings, under the influence of Catholic Marist missionaries who had converted the population in 1840-42 and sought French protection against the advance of Protestants in the region. In April 1887, the protectorate over Wallis was signed. It was extended to Futuna the following year, although these islands were administratively attached to New Caledonia until 1909. Given the islands' low strategic interest and remoteness, there was no real colonization.
The Royal Palace of Uvea is the seat of the Lavelua, the customary king of Uvea, on the island of Wallis. It is located in Mata-Utu, the capital of the overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna.
