Chiefly titles in Samoa’s politics

Press, 14 June 1984, Page 20

Chiefly titles in Samoa’s politics

MICHAEL FIELD,

press secretary to a former Prime

Minister of Samoa, Tupuola Efi, and author of a book on Samoa’s independence movement, The Mau.

Chances are that next year Western Samoa will have a new Prime Minister by the name of Tupua Tamasese Efi. What will be puzzling for many outside Samoa is that he will bear a striking resemblance to a previous Prime Minister. Tupuola Efi.

In its absence, the major titles are the so-called tama-a-aiga titles held by those who head large and complex family groupings. There are four titles: Malietoa, Tupua Tamasese, Mata'afa, and Tuimaleleali'ifano.

As in all title matters, the bestowing of a title is complex. Considered are the rank of the father and mother of the title contenders, the order of birth, personal fitness, the ability to influence, ingratiate, or control those having a say in the title, ability in traditional fa'a Samoa skills, and the wishes of the previous holder. Minor titles can be decided quickly; tama-a-aiga titles take years.

In fact, they are the same man. It is a commentary on New Zealand’s remoteness from Polynesian life and events, that last month Tupuola became Tupua Tamasese, largely unnoticed outside Samoa. It was an event of great importance in Samoa. Its significance to the 45-year-old politican — who was educated at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, near Wellington — is now the subject of heated speculation. Samoa is a nation of chiefs, a place where the matai leads each extended family and represents its voice on village councils and exercises the vote. Although all matais have the right to vote for members of Parliament, matai titles are of varying importance. Some are important only at village level, while other titles are important at district, or even national, level. For example, the Tupuola title is comparatively minor. In Samoan history the greatest title is that of Tafa’ifa. It has seldom been held and the most notable holder was the 15th century woman, Salamasina, who united Samoa. The title was achieved when a person gained three of the four major district titles; Tuia’ana, Tuiatua, and Gatoaitele (the fourth title, Tuimanu’a came from remote Manu’a which was seldom involved in mainstream Samoa). When Germany annexed Samoa in 1900, they removed the Tafa’ifa title from Samoan control and bestowed it on the Kaiser. When New Zealand took over in 1914, the title was kept out of Samoa and has never been revived.

One can go back a long way in tracing titles, but the present Tupua Tamasese debate can usefully be started at 1929. Then the title was held by Tupua Tamasese Lealofi 111. On “Black Saturday,” December 29, 1929, he was killed by a New Zealand policeman during a Mau march in Apia. He had a son. Lealofi, who was too young to hold the title and it instead went to the dead man’s brother, who became Tupua Tamasese Me’ole.

In 1962 that same man became joint Head of State of an independent Samoa with Malietoa Tanumafili 11. A year later he died. His son, Efi, was studying at Victoria University at the time and was a leading contender for the title. His main opponent was Lealofi, by that time a doctor. Three main family groupings were involved, the Sa Fanunuivao, Sa Tuala, and Aiga-o-Mavaega. The latter two were for Efi, the former for Lealofi.

The most significant legal institution in Samoa is- the Lands and Titles Court and this matter came before the Chief Justice, Paul Molineaux (more recently known

in New Zaland as head of the 5.1.5.) in 1966. He ruled that the Sa Fanunuivao had the exclusive right to decide on who held the title, so it went to the man who became Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV. For the other two families it was a savage blow. They called on the Tumua. or orators, of the powerful village of Leulumoega to bestow the Tuia’ana title on Efi. Granting this major factor in the Tafa’ifa title, and reviving the important district title, was a grave step and could have led to serious civil disturbances. Efi appreciated the danger and relinquished his call on the title. "Without meaning to be disrespectful." he reportedly told Leulumoega. "Tuia’ana. in the final analysis, is only a name, but if you have affection, deep and abiding affection, for me, that has more meaning. I will be content, for in a real sense that will be my Tuia’ana.”

Leulumoega eventually elected Efi, running as Tupuola. as its member of Parliament.

In the meantime. Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV became Prime Minister in 1970, taking over from Mata’afa Faime Mulinu’u 11. Six years later Tupuola defeated Tupua Tamasese. It w’as a significant move and was seen as the ending of the tama-a-aiga's right to hold the premiership. From henceforth, it was believed, the tama-a-aiga would remain in the figurehead Council of Deputies. Last year Tupua Tamasese died after a long illness. Shortly before his death he declared that it was his wish that the title go to Tupuola. Tupuola initially voiced his unwillingness because he feared the title would handicap his ultimate ambition of becoming Prime Minister again, having lost the job two years ago to Tofilau Eti. His family convinced him to work for the title.

elements who disagreed with the decision.

As yet, this has not shown itself in the form of a petition to the Lands and Titles Court, asking that the title bestowal be voided. However, precedent is important; given the Molineaux decision and the fact that the Sa Fanuniuvao is reportedly "firm and irrevocable" in its decision, the chances of a petitioner overturning the title seem remote.

So what does it all mean to the man who showed the tama-a-aiga the door of the Legislative Assembly? Significantly among the most active lobbists behind the scenes against granting by the title to Tupuola have been those aligned to the Prime Minister, Tofilau Eti.

Surprisingly quickly the Sa Fanunuivao decided bn Tupuola and last Anzac Day a Royal ’Ava ceremony was held to mark the occasion. Ironically, the Sa Tuala and Aigia-o-Mavaega had leading

The Tofilau Government may feel that they lack the power to show another tama-a-aiga out of the House, and fear the additional mana the title gives to Tupuola.

As it is, Tofilau faces a difficult job holding on anyway. Tofilau has been one of Samoa’s most unpopular leaders, suffering because of his tough — but probably necessary — economic measures.

Now, to add to his woes, he has to face a prince by the full name of Tupua Tamasese Taisi Tupuola Tufuga Efi. In the hot pot that is Samoan politics this new title may make all the difference. In which direction it will tilt the scales is what everybody in Samoa is talking about these days.