Tupua Tamasese

Tupua (known as Tupua Tamasese) is a state dynasty and one of the four paramount chiefly titles of Samoa,[1] known as the Tama-a-Aiga ('Children of the Families'). It derives its name from the first Tupua and its status as part of the royal line of the ancient Queen Salamasina and her descendant, King Fonoti. The title's familial base is in Falefa and Salani and has its seat in Lufilufi.[2]

Leader of the Samoa's independence movement (the Mau Movement), Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III.
Mau leaders and Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III (centre, in white) in front of Mau office, Vaimoso 1929
Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III lies in state after being shot and killed during Black Saturday.

Samoa's former Prime Minister and Head of State and current holder of the title, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi

Tupua Fuiavailili, son of Fuimaono of Salani and descendant of Queen Salamasina, was adopted by King Muagututi'a and his wife, Fenunuivao of Falefa and named as the King's successor, leading to the first usage of the term "Tama-a-'aiga" in reference to his many genealogical connections to the great families of Samoa. The Aiga Sā Fenunuivao (Fenunuivao's descendants) from the villages of Falefa and Salani, are the primary political family of Tupua Tamasese, holding authority and custodianship of the title and deciding who it should be bestowed upon.[3][2]

Tama-a-Aiga titles are the maximal lineage titles of Samoa, of which there are four: Tupua Tamasese, Malietoa of the pre-emiment Sā Tupua and Sa Malietoa clans as well as Mata'afa and Tuimalealiifano, of which the Tupua and Malietoa lineages are the oldest. These titles are often associated with Pāpā titles, paramount district titles which affords the holder authority over an entire region or sovereignty over all of Samoa (if one acquires all four pāpā). These are Tui Atua, Tui A'ana, Gatoaitele and Vaetamasoalii. [2]

Both the Tama-a-Aiga Tupua Tamasese title and the pāpā Tui Atua mantle are currently held by Samoa's former Prime Minister and Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi.

Tupua Tamagāsese Titimaea. The first time the appellation -Tamasese -appears alongside the Tupua tama-a-'aiga name. Tupua Tamasese is thereafter used as the full title name.

Origins

King Muagututi'a, son of King Fonoti, married Fenunu'ivao, daughter of Leutele of Falefa. Because they had no children of their own, they adopted Fuiavailili, son of Fuimaono of Salani as their son. As the successor of King Muagututi'a, the orators questioned who this child was to assume such an important mantle and whether he possessed the necessary genealogical links to the great families of Samoa in order to be worthy.[2]

Thus it was revealed that Fuiavailili's biological father Fuimaono was a direct descendant of Queen Salamasina's second child, Tapumanaia.[4] Tupua Fuiavailili, through his ancestry and adoption, re-united the Salamasina lineages through his ancestor, Tapumanaia, and King Muagututi'a's ancestor Fofoaivao'ese, Salamasina's first child. Having satisfied the requirements of having strong linkages to Samoa's royal lineages, Tupua Fuiavailili was proclaimed as the first Tama a 'Āiga (lit.'child of the families') by the orators of Tumua and succeeded his adoptive father as the next King.[5]

Tupua's Aloali'i (Dauphins or Heirs apparent)

From his four usuga (marriages), King Tupua Fuiavailili had five children:

  • Luafalemana, of Falefā. He is an ancestor of the Matā'afa Tama-a-Aiga line. The residence of Luafalemana remains at Falefa.
  • Afoa (later named Afoafouvale, after his defeat in battle) of Palauli.
  • Galumalemana of Saleimoa (who later succeeded his brother Afoa as King by defeating him at Maauga, Leulumoega). Ancestor of the current Tupua Tamasese.
  • Tautisusua and Tufugatasi.

Appointment

When a Tupua is to be appointed, the two senior members of Aiga' Sa Fenunu'ivao (Tofua'iofoia of Salani and Moeono of Falefa) summon the descendants of Fenunu'ivao (mother of the first Tupua) to decide on who should hold the mantle.[2]

Once a new Tupua is chosen, the orators of Lufilufi are informed by Moeono and Tofua'iofoia on behalf of Aiga Sā Fenunuivao and the proceedings towards coronation begin. The title bestowment takes place at the seat and residence of the Tupua Tamasese at Mulinu'u ma Sepolata'emo at the great malae of Lalogāfu'afu'a in Lufilufi. [3]

The current holder, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, is thus a direct descendant of Fenunu'ivao, Tupua Fuiavalili and his grandson, Nofoasaefā, of Asau, Savaii. Tupuola Efi was chosen as Tupua Tamasese by Aiga Sa Fenunu'ivao after the passing of his uncle, former Prime Minister Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV.[2]

Moeono and Tofua'iofoia speak for Aiga Sa Fenunu'ivao, not only on matters pertaining to the Tupua title, but also on dealings with Samoa's other main political families, such as Sa Tuala and Sa Levalasi. Tofua'iofoia and Moeono are members of the great council of Atua which meets at Lalogafu'afu'a, the meeting place of Atua's leaders in Lufilufi.[2]

Notable Holders
  • King Tupua Fuiavailili was the first of the Tupua and King of Samoa following his father King Muagututi'a, son of King Fonoti. He is the first descendant of Queen Salamasina to have brought together the royal lines of both her children - Queen Fofoaivaoese and Tapumanaia.[2]
  • Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Titimaea is the first time the Tamasese name appears alongside the tama-a-aiga Tupua title. Because of his prowess in war and popularity among the orators of Tumua, he was conferred the Tupua title. Among these qualities, he was known to be hospitable and generous (tama gāsese mea lelei), and the name Tamasese was derived from this appellation by which Titimaea and his descendants have been known ever since. [2]
  • Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III was the leader of the Mau Movement until his assassination by NZ armed forces during the Black Saturday massacre in 1929. Realizing that his death could spark a bloody war with NZ colonial forces, Tamasese called for peace and for the Mau to continue on with its passive resistance and civil disobedience. His final words were “My blood has been spilt for Samoa. I am proud to give it. Do not dream of avenging it, as it was spilt for peace."[6]
  • Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole - Samoa's co-head of state at the time of the country's independence in 1962 - served as Tupua Tamasese from 1929 until his death in 1963. Mea'ole was succeeded as Tupua Tamasese by his younger brother,
  • Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV (1922–1983). Younger brother of Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole and elected 2nd Prime Minister of Samoa. Later ascended to the Council of Deputies.
  • Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi formerly served as the 3rd Prime Minister of Samoa. He was selected by Aiga Sa Fenunu'ivao to succeed his uncle, Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV in 1984. He was sworn in as Samoa's O le Ao o le Malo (Head of State) on June 16, 2007 until 2017 when the sitting Prime Minister and long-time rival of Tupua, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, refused to endorse him for a third term. He is now patron of culture and Samoan history and a celebrated scholar.

Succession List: From Queen Salamasina to Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi

Salamasina's Daughter, Fofoaivaoese, to Tupua

Tafa'ifā Queen Salamāsina (progenitor of Samoa's four main royal bloodlines)

Tafa'ifā Queen Fofoaivaoese (first daughter of Queen Salamasina)

Tafa'ifā Queen Taufau Asiata (daughter of Queen Fofoaivaoese)

Le Tupufia (The King with only three pāpā) Faumuinā (nephew of Queen Taufau)

Tafa'ifā King Fonoti (Defeats siblings for Kingship; Falefa is rewarded and named as Fonoti's capital during this time.)

Tafa'ifā King Muagututi'a. (marries Fenunuivao, daughter of Leutele, of Falefa.)

  • King Muagututi'a and Fenunuivao bear no children. Fuiavailili is brought to Falefa and named heir to King Muagututi'a. Given the name Tupua Fuiavailili by Moeono, tulafale alii and matua of Falefa.

Tafa'ifā King Tupua Fuiavailili (the first Tupua and the first 'Tama-a-'aiga)

Salamasina's Son, Tapumanaia II (Tapusatele), to Tupua

Tafa'ifā Queen Salamāsina (progenitor of Samoa's four main royal bloodlines)

Tapumanaia (taken to Falealili and renamed Tapusatele; marries Sailau, daughter of Leutele, of Falefa.)

Tapufautua

Sifuiva

Fuimaono (marries Oilau, of Faleālili.)

Fuiavailili

  • *Fuiavailili is taken to Falefa and named, Tupua Fuiavailili.

Tafa'ifā King Tupua Fuiavailili (the first Tupua and the first 'Tama-a-'aiga)

King (Tafa'ifā) Tupua Fuiavailili to Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi

Tafa'ifā King Tupua Fuiavailili (the first Tupua and the first 'Tama-a-'aiga)

Tafa'ifā King Afoa (defeated in single combat by his brother, Galumalemana. Thereafter named Afoafouvale, "he who rebels for no good reason.")

Tafa'ifā King Galumalemana (the Aloalii as an institution of succession is established under Galumalemana)

Tui Ā'ana Tui Ātua (King of Ā'ana & Ātua) Nofoasaefā (assassinated by rebels in Savai'i)

Tui Atua I'amafana

Maeaeafe Matā'afa

Tui A'ana Tupua Leasiolagi Moegagogo

Tupua Pulepule

1830 - 1891: Tui Atua Tupua Tamagasese Titimaea (this is the first time the appellation Tamasese is added to the Tupua tama-a-'aiga title)

1891 - 1915: Tui Atua Tui A'ana Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana I

1915 - 1918: Tui Atua Tui A'ana Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana II

1918 - 1929: Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o'a'ana III (Mau leader, assassinated by NZ Soldiers during Black Saturday)

1929 - 1963: Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole (Co-Head of State with Malietoa Tanumafili II after Independence)

1963 - 1983: Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana IV (Third Prime Minister of Samoa)

1986–present: Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi  (Former Prime Minister and Head of State 2007-2017)

See also

References
  1. "Malietoa Tanumafili II (Obituary)". The Economist. The Economist print edition. 2007-05-24. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
  2. Soʻo, Asofou. (2008). Democracy and custom in Sāmoa : an uneasy alliance. IPS Publications, University of the South Pacific. ISBN 978-982-02-0390-7. OCLC 244005120.
  3. LC2440, 29 March 1965. The court ruled that the pule of the Tupua title...is vested in the family of Sā Fenunuivao of Falefā and Salani.
  4. Tamasese Efi, Tui Atua Tupua (1995). ""Tamafaigā — shaman, king or maniac?"". The Journal of Pacific History. 30: 3–21.
  5. Suaalii-Sauni, Tamasailau M. (2018). Su'esu'e Manogi: Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta'isi and the Samoan Indigenous Reference. Huia (NZ) Ltd. ISBN 978-1-77550-359-0. OCLC 1065077940.
  6. Field, Michael J. (1991). Mau : Samoa's struggle for freedom. Polynesian Press. ISBN 0-908597-07-X. OCLC 468531148.


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