Malua is a small village on the
Samoa
Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono Island, Manono an ...
n island of
Upolu
Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long and in area, making it the second largest of the Samoan Islands by area. With approximatel ...
. The name originates from the Samoan word "Maluapapa" which is translated 'shelter under the rock'. It is located on the northwestern coast of the island in the electoral constituency (''faipule district'') of Sagaga Le Falefa which forms part of the larger political district
Tuamasaga
Tuamāsaga is a district of Samoa, with a population (2016 Census) of 95,907. The geographic area of Tuamasaga covers the central part of Upolu island.
History & Politics
Malie & the Malietoa
The paramount ''matai'' title of Tuamasaga is the M ...
.
The population of Malua is 365.
Malua is the centre for the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa and also the site of the famous Malua Theological College which was the second theological college to be established in the South Pacific in 1844, the first being
Takamoa Theological College Takamoa Theological College is a Bible school located in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. It was founded by the noted Congregationalist missionary Aaron Buzacott (1800-1864). It offers a Diploma of Theology and a Certificate of Bible Studies. The college ...
in Cook Islands. Founded by the
London Missionary Society
The London Missionary Society was an interdenominational evangelical missionary society formed in England in 1795 at the instigation of Welsh Congregationalist minister Edward Williams. It was largely Reformed in outlook, with Congregational miss ...
, Malua quickly became the centre for training pastors and missionaries in the Pacific. Today Malua is where all activities for the
Congregational Christian Church
The Congregational Christian Churches were a Protestant Christian denomination that operated in the U.S. from 1931 through 1957. On the latter date, most of its churches joined the Evangelical and Reformed Church in a merger to become the United C ...
in Samoa are centred, especially its General Assembly held annually in May.
A prominent Samoan who attended Malua Theological College was historian
Teo Tuvale
Teo Tuvale (26 August 1855 – December 1919) was a notable Samoan historian who served terms as Chief Justice and Secretary to Government in Samoa during the era of colonialism.
Tuvale is the author of ''An account of Samoan History up to 1918' ...
whose father, a pastor at
Faleasi'u
Faleasi'u is one of the largest village settlements on the island of Upolu in Samoa. It is located on the northwestern coast of the island and has a population of 4177.
Faleasi'u is part of A'ana Alofi 1 Electoral Constituency (''Faipule District' ...
village, had been one of the first students to study at the seminary during the 19th century.
References
Populated places in Tuamasaga
{{Samoa-geo-stub