Kapeliele Faupala

Last updated
Kapeliele Faupala
51st Lavelua of Wallis (Uvea)
ReignJuly 25, 2008 - September 2, 2014. [1]
Coronation July 25, 2008
Predecessor Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
Council of Ministers
SuccessorCouncil of Ministers
Patalione Kanimoa
Born1940 (age 80–81)
House Takumasiva Dynasty

Kapeliele "Gabriel" Faupala (born 1940 [2] ) was the 51st Lavelua (King) of Wallis Island (Uvea), one of the three traditional kingdoms which comprise the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna. Faupala was officially crowned Lavelua on July 25, 2008, succeeding Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, who died in May 2007. [3] He was removed from office in September 2014. [4] [5]

Contents

Biography

Faupala is locally known as Kalae Kivalu before his coronation, by Wallisians. [6] He was chosen by the late King of 'Uvea Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, to become the holder of the "Kalae Kivalu" Title (Prime Minister). He is from the village of Ahoa, which is located in the center of Wallis Island. [7] Faupala is a retired public servant, who worked for the French administration of Wallis and Futuna as well as the local Wallisian public works department until his retirement in 1995. [7]

As Kalae Kivalu, Faupala was head of the Customary Council of Ministers for four years from approximately 2004 until his coronation in 2008. [6] The Customary Council of Ministers enjoys a certain level of official recognition from the government of France [6] under the 1961 treaty signed by Tomasi Kulimoetoke II which made Wallis and Futuna a French overseas territory ( Territoire d'Outre-Mer ). [8]

Lavelua

Faupala's predecessor as Lavelua of Wallis, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, died in May 2007. [8] Kulimoetoke had served as the King for 48 years since his coronation in 1959. [8] A six-month period of mourning was held after Kulimoetoke's death, when it was considered taboo by Wallisians to discuss a possible successor to the throne. [9] Kulimoetoke had a sometimes strained relationship with French authorities during the final years of his reign.

The period of mourning officially ended in November 2007, at which time discussions for a possible successor formally began. [9] A Council of Ministers had taken up the role of royal duties after Kuliemoetoke's death and was charged with finding his successor. Two main feuding royal families of Wallis had been engaged in a behind the scenes fight for the previous three years to secure the throne of Uvea. [6] Their struggle to succeed Kulimoetoke had begun before the previous King's death in 2007. [6] The royal Wallisian families, or clans, were from the North (Hihifo) and South (Mu'a) of Wallis Island. [6] Each offered their own candidate to succeed Kuliemoetoke. [6] Ultimately, after months of deliberations, the traditional Council of Ministers announced in mid July 2008 that Kapiliele Faupala would become the new King of Wallis (Uvea). [10] The announcement of Faupala as the new King sparked protests by the other royal families and clans across Wallis. [6] The North and South royal families also claimed that they should have been actively consulted by the Council in choosing the new monarch for the island. [6]

Coronation

Kapiliele Faupala was formally crowned the 51st Lavelua of Wallis on July 25, 2008. [3] He chose to retain the title and name of Lavelua. [3] His coronation took place in Mata-Utu, the capital of Wallis and Futuna, on the main grounds of Malae Sagato Soane and gathered more than 2,000 persons. [3] [7] where Faupala's predecessor, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, is buried. [6] The coronation ended several days of formal traditional Wallisian celebrations, which included a kava ceremony and the presentation of gifts to the new King. [7] Faupala was 68 years old at the time of his coronation.

Several of Wallis's chiefly royal families, only in the North (Hihifo), chose not to attend Faupala's coronation due to the ongoing dispute over the royal succession. [6]

The coronation took place in the presence of the French Secretary General to the Administrator Superior of Wallis and Futuna, since the current Administrator Superior, Richard Didier, was traveling outside of Wallis and Futuna at the time. [6] A large delegation from New Caledonia, which is also a French overseas possession, also attended the coronation. [3] New Caledonian dignitaries included Marie-Claude Tjibaou, the current Chair of Agency for the Development of Kanak Culture. [6] A number of pro-French New Caledonian political parties were also represented including the president of Future Together, Didier Leroux. [6] Other New Caledonian political and traditional figures, such as the Chairman of South Province Philippe Gomès and the High Chief of Lifou Island, Evanes Boula, also attended Faupala's coronation on invitation. [6]

The New Caledonian delegation was careful not to become involved with the internal Wallisian royal succession dispute, with Didier Leroux saying "We were invited to attend the ceremonies. But I'd like to point out that we come as external observers and I would not like to take sides in the current quarrel between one side or the other." [6]

Kapeliele Faupala
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
Council of Ministers		 King of Wallis (Uvea)
July 25, 2008 – September 2, 2014		Succeeded by
Council of Ministers
Patalione Kanimoa

Related Research Articles

Wallis and Futuna Overseas collectivity of France

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.

Politics of Wallis and Futuna Political system of Wallis and Futuna

Politics of Wallis and Futuna takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic French overseas collectivity, whereby the President of the Territorial Assembly is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government.

Tomasi Kulimoetoke II 50Th Lavelua of Uvea (Wallis Island)

Tomasi Kulimoetoke II was the 50th Lavelua (King) of Wallis Island, which is known as Uvea in the Wallisian language, one of the three traditional kingdoms in the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna.

Wallis (island)

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 Matāʻutu. 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.

Mata Utu Place in Wallis and Futuna, France

Mata Utu is the capital city of Wallis and Futuna, an overseas collectivity of France. It is located on the island of Uvéa (ʻUvea), in the district of Hahake, of which it is also the capital. It is one of two ports in Wallis and Futuna, the other being at Leava on Futuna. Hihifo Airport, the main airport accessing the island and city, is 5.6 kilometres (3.5 mi) to the northwest. Its population was 1,029 in 2018, up from 815 in 1998.

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.

Xavier de Fürst, b. 1948, is a French prefect. He was the high administrator of the French government in the Wallis and Futuna islands in the South Pacific. He accepted the role and became administrator of the islands on 18 January 2005. He was succeeded by Richard Didier.

Alo (Wallis and Futuna) Chiefdom and District in Wallis and Futuna, France

Alo is one of three official chiefdoms of the French territory of Wallis and Futuna, in Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean.

Robert Laufoaulu is a former member of the Senate of France. He represented the islands of Wallis and Futuna. He is a member of the Union for a Popular Movement.

Soane Toke was a king of Uvea, ruling for one day on 11 December 1953. He was preceded by Kapeliele Tufele III, and succeeded by Aloisia Brial.

There are six monarchies in Oceania; that is: self-governing sovereign states in Oceania where supreme power resides with an individual hereditary head, who is recognised as the head of state. Each is a constitutional monarchy, wherein the sovereign inherits his or her office, usually keeps it until death or abdication, and is bound by laws and customs in the exercise of their powers. Five of these independent states share Queen Elizabeth II as their respective head of state, making them part of a global grouping known as the Commonwealth realms; in addition, all monarchies of Oceania are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. The only sovereign monarchy in Oceania that does not share a monarch with another state is Tonga. Australia and New Zealand have dependencies within the region and outside it, although five non-sovereign constituent monarchs are recognized by New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and France.

Tomasi is both a surname and a given name. Notable people with the name include:

Petelo Vikena was Tuigaifo, or Monarch, of the Kingdom of Alo, which is also known as the Kingdom of Futuna from his coronation on November 6, 2008 to his abdication on January 22, 2010. Alo is one of the three traditional kingdoms, or chiefdoms, which comprise Wallis and Futuna.

Richard Didier is a French senior civil servant. He served as the Administrator Superior of Wallis and Futuna for two years, from 2006 to 2008.

Uvea (Wallis and Futuna) Chiefdom in Wallis and Futuna, France

ʻUvea is one of the three official chiefdoms of the French territory of Wallis and Futuna in Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean.

Coronations in Oceania

Coronations in Oceania are, or were, held in the following countries:

Dance of Wallis and Futuna

In Uvea (Wallis) and Futuna culture and modernity co-exist. In particular, dance is considered to be part of everyday life. One sees dance in fakahaha'aga (festivals), to'oto'oga, or just for pure pleasure. In Uvea, the term faiva is used for dance, whereas the term mako is used. In Uvea and Futuna there is a katoaga which is only celebrated with the visit of chiefs and if lucky, with the Lavelua (King). As the years go by, dance and culture is still alive and well in Uvea and Futuna. The normal fakapale is given to the dancers for their magnificent dance. The following dances of Uvea and Futuna below are just some of the dances, or are the main dances seen in Wallisian and Futunan culture.

Culture of Wallis and Futuna

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Countries VW". Rulers.org. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
  2. ↑ Dariusssssss (5 November 2008). "Tronos de Oro: La Coronación del Rey de la Isla de Wallis" . Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kapiliele Faupala crowned new king of Wallis". RNZ. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  4. ↑ "French territory in Pacific faces uncertain future". Yahoo! News . 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
  5. ↑ "King of Wallis ousted by traditional leaders". RNZ. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "NEW KING OF WALLIS CROWNED". Pacific Islands Report. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Kapiliele Faupala crowned new King of Wallis". Island Business . 2008-07-26. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  8. 1 2 3 Duval Smith, Alex (2007-05-08). "King Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, King of Wallis obituary". The Independent . Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  9. 1 2 "Wallis awaits moves to elect new king". RNZ. 6 November 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  10. ↑ "Faupala to be made Wallis king on July 25th". RNZ. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.