The Social and Political Systems of Central Polynesia - Upolu

Tuamāsaga is a

district A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions o ...

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 ...

, with a population (2016 Census) of 95,907. The geographic area of Tuamasaga covers the central part 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 ...

island.

History & Politics

Malie & the Malietoa

The paramount ''matai'' title of Tuamasaga is the

Malietoa Mālietoa ( ''Mālietoa'') is a state dynasty and one of the four paramount chiefly titles of Samoa. It is the titular head of one of the two great royal families of Samoa: Sā Malietoa. Literally translated as "great warrior", the title's orig ...

title. Led by Auimatagi, Sa Malietoa and the nine senior orators of Malie are responsible for the election of the Malietoa title-holder at Niu'ula in Malie. Given that the district of

Aiga-i-le-Tai Aiga-i-le-Tai is a district of Samoa which includes the small islands of Manono, Apolima and tiny uninhabited Nu'ulopa lying in the Apolima Strait between the country's two main islands of Upolu and Savai'i. The district includes part of the ma ...

( Manono and

Apolima Apolima is the smallest of the four inhabited islands of Samoa. It lies in the Apolima Strait, between the country's two largest islands: Upolu to the east, and Savai'i to the west. The island has one village settlement, Apolima Tai, with a ...

) and the district of Fa'asaleleaga on Savai'i are two key footholds of the Aiga Sa Malietoa (Malietoa clan), Malie often consults with Manono (capital of Aiga-i-le-Tai) and

Safotulafai Safotulafai is a traditional village at the east end of Savai'i island with historical and political significance in Samoa's history. It is the traditional center of the island of Savaii, now became the center of Fa'asaleleaga political distr ...

(capital of Fa’asaleleaga) in the election of the Malietoa. The village of Malie is the seat of the Malietoa. At a national level, the Malietoa title is one of the four ''Tama-a-Aiga'' (noble families) titles.

Apia Apia () is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Samoa, as well as the nation's only city. It is located on the central north coast of Upolu, Samoa's second-largest island. Apia falls within the political district (''itūmālō ...

, the nation's capital, is situated in the north of the district. The national parliament also sits at Mulinu’u to the west of Apia, and the main seaport is situated at

Matautu Matautu is the name of different villages in Samoa. Places named Matautu are found on the two largest islands, Upolu and Savaiʻi. Matautu, Upolu Island On Upolu island; *Matautu, a village located on the central north coast of the island to th ...

to the north of Apia around the shores of Apia harbour. Afega, Safata and the ''pāpā'' titles The paramount ''pāpā'' titles of Tuamasaga are Gatoaitele and Vaetamasoalii. Afega is the seat of Gatoaitele. Once a decision is made, the village of Afega, through the chiefs Fata and Maulolo, must lead the bestowal process on behalf of the Fale Tuamasaga (the parliament of Tuamasaga). Safata is the seat of the Vaetamasoalii ''pāpā'' . These pāpā titles are usually bestowed upon the highest ''matai'' of Tuamasaga and one of the four ''Tama-a-Aiga'' (noble families) of Samoa. Historically, the Fale Tuamasaga meets at Afega (''malae a Vaitoelau'') in times of war and at Malie (''malae a filemu'') in times of peace.

Tumua

Together with the ''faleiva'' of

Leulumoega Leulumoega Tuai is a village situated on the northwest coast Upolu island in 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 mai ...

and the ''faleono'' of

Lufilufi Lufilufi is a historical village situated on the north coast of Upolu island in Samoa. The village is part of the electoral constituency (''Faipule District'') Anoamaa East which is within the larger political district of Atua. The village's popula ...

, the lead orators of Malie & Afega (collectively called '''Tuisamau ma Auimatagi')'' comprise the group of ''tulafale alii'' (orator chiefs) who speak on behalf of Upolu on matters of state - the Tumua.

Archaeology

Archaeology in Samoa Archaeology of Samoa began with the first systematic survey of archaeological remains on Savai'i island by Jack Golson in 1957.Vailele Vailele is a village situated on the central north coast of Upolu island in Samoa. Vailele is in the electoral constituency (''faipule district'') of Vaimauga East in the larger political district of Tuamasaga. The village is less than ten minu ...

in the sub-district of Vaimauga, on the central north coast to the east of Apia. Districts of Samoa {{Samoa-geo-stub