Atua (district)

Atua
District
Atua district comprising the eastern third of Upolu Island on map of 1924
Map of Samoa showing Atua district
Country	Samoa
Time zone	-11

Atua is the most ancient district of Samoa, now consisting of most of the eastern section of Upolu but also traditionally incorporates Tutuila and once all of Upolu and Savaii. Lufilufi is the traditional center of the Atua district and is the residence of the royal Tui Atua (King of Atua) title. Governed by the 'Faleono' (House of six) orator group, it is the capital of Atua and is vested with the authority to appoint the Tui Atua. This authority is mirrored by the honorific title of 'Matua o Atua', (the Head, or Elder of Atua) which it holds.

The district has a population (2001 Census) of 21,168.

The paramount lineage is the Tui Atua line. Traditionally, and from the formation of Atua, all honours came from Leifi Ao o Atua (supreme head) who left his younger cousin Tui Atua Polailevao c. 1300 to care for Leifi's malae of Lalogafuafua, Lufilufi. Lalogafuafua being the main central meeting malae of all of Atua district and where all Tui Atua Titles are correctly bestowed.

The Tui Atua is one of the most ancient lineages in Samoa only predated by Tui Manu'a. Tui Atua alone are direct lineage heirs of the Tagaloalagi line of kings. The other ancient lines are the Tui Manu'a and the Tui A'ana.

The current Tui Atua is Tama Aiga, former Prime Minister and former Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Taisi Efi.

Coordinates: 13°57′S 171°38′W / 13.950°S 171.633°W / -13.950; -171.633