Tupua Tamasese
State dynasty and one of four paramount chiefly titles of Samoa / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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 or 'Sons of the Great Families'). It is the titular head of one of Samoa's two great royal families - Sā Tupua, the lineage of Queen Salamasina. The 'Tupua' refers to Salamasina's descendant, King Tupua Fuiavailili, who was the first to unite both of Salamasina's descent lines in his personage and ascended to the Kingship of Samoa in c.1550, upon the death of his adoptive father, King Muagututi'a.[2] Tupua Fuiavailili was adopted by his aunt, Fenunu'ivao (daughter of Leutele and wife of King Muagututi'a) and named as the King's successor. Tupua's rise also led to the first usage of the term "Tama-a-'aiga" by the orator polity of Leulumoega and Lufilufi, in reference to his many genealogical connections to the great families of Ātua. The 'Tamasese' part refers to his descendant Tupua Tamasese Titimaea, whose prowess in battle and generosity won favour with many of his followers and whose actions restored the Salamasina line's prestige. All subsequent Tupua title holders have thus carried the two names together since then.[2]
The seat of the Tupua Tamasese title is at Mulinu'u ma Sepolata'emo in Lufilufi. Three political families make up Sa Tupua: Aiga o Mavaega, Aiga Sā Tuala and Aiga Sā Fenunuivao. The Aiga Sā Fenunuivao of Falefa and Salani holds authority and custodianship of the title, deciding who from among the heirs it is bestowed upon.[2]
The current holder is His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the former Prime Minister and former Head of State of Samoa.