Mataʻafa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matāʻafa is one of the four paramount tama-a-ʻaiga (maximal lineage) titles of Samoa.[1][2] It is one of two such titles originating from the Atua district at the east end of Upolu island (the other being Tupua Tamasese of Falefa & Salani) and has its historical seat in the village of Amaile.[3] Prominent holders of the title include Matā'afa Iosefo of Falefa, one of the three rival candidates for the kingship of Samoa during the early colonial period,[4] Matāʻafa Faumuina Fiame Mulinuʻu I (died 1948) of Lepea and Lotofaga, who became leader of Samoa's pro-independence Mau movement after Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III's assassination; and his son Fiame Matāʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II (1921–1975), the first Prime Minister of Samoa.
The title was then passed on to Matāʻafa Faʻasuamaleaui Puʻela Patu. After his death in 1997, the title fell vacant until 2011, when it was granted to Matāʻafa Tupuola Lui Iosefo.[5] Following his death in 2014, the title again became vacant and remains so to this day.