TUMUA MA PULE, ITU'AU MA ALATAUA, AIGA-I-LE-TAI, MA LE VA'A-O-FONOTI

The Succession Line of the Royal Family of Samoa: One of the early kings was Tuia’ana
Tuiatua Faumuina Le Tupufia. He had three children. The sons were named Fonoti and
Va’afusuaga Tole’afoa, and the daughter was named Samala’ulu. They are Known commonly
in traditions of Samoa as ‘The Three of Faumuina‘. Each child was by a different
mother, but Tuia’ana Tuiatua Faumuina before he died, he did not declare a decree for a
successor to rule on the throne. And intimately, this is why his three children,
Fonoti, Samala’ulu and Va’afusuaga Tole’afoa entered into war to fight it.. the dispute
was also taken up by their maternal relations that became so intense that war was raged
to who will be King. And began the arise of famous family clans of Samoa such as
Sa-Tuala, Sa-Levalasi, Sa-Asomua, Sa-Tago, Sa-Amituana’i, Sa-Tunumafono and others.
This is also why their father, or the title Faumuina is greeted as ‘Le Tupufia‘.
Tupufia, means or referred to of his children that they all wanted to be King! in the
1600’s

Va'afusuaga Tole'afoa and sister Samala'ulu had joined up to opnose the claim of there
older brother Fonoti to the Kingship. When Fonoti found that his brother and sister had
gained many followers he went to Leulumoega where the dispute was being fought and
sought the assistance of the High Chiefs and leading orators of other districts. This
was the war that Mano’o of Samatau said before the war: if Fonoti runs into the sea, we
will dry up the sea, if he runs into heaven, we will rip it open to catch him. As a
result he was pursued with great zeal; Chief Veletaloola of Faleata, Aiono defeated
Mano’o. Fonoti then waged war against his kin "The Paegauo War" for the Papas to
proclaim the Tafa'ifa Kingship, he was successful and was ultimately proclaimed King
Fonoti Tupu Tafa'ifa of Samoa. Bestowed on him and helder of the four high titles:
Tuia’ana, Tuiatua, Vaetamasoalii, and Gatoaitele. In our traditions this war is known
as "the war between Samala'ulu and Fonoti" or "The Paegauo War" some called it "The War
of the Tupufia". King Fonoti conferred many honours upon those chiefs and Districts
that had fought for him and such honours and privileges are honoured by the "Tumua and
Pule" down to the present time. 

The Distribution In The War was about as follows: With Fonoti: Fagaloa, Faleapuna,
Falefa, Saluafata, Solosolo, Vaimauga, Faleata, Safata, Falealili, Fasitoouta,
Falelatai, Manono, half of Lufilufi and of Leulumoega. On The Side of Va’afusuaga
Tole’afoa and Samalaulu were: Aleipata, Luatuanuu, Lepa, Lotofaga, Siumu, Faleula,
Sagana, Sale’imoa, Faleasi’u and Samatau, also all of Savai'i island through
Va’afusuaga Tole’afoa’s influence.
     
Itu Malo o le Vaa-o-fonoti with a district of its own right was one of the rewards
conferred upon Faleapuna, Safanua and Fagaloa, for the part they had played in the
dispute and for contending with Manono, Sapapali'i and Saleaumua in the fighting that
took part on the sea. Fonoti also conferred honours on Tofaeono, Aiono, Misa and the
privilege of receiving food on Faleata. Aiga-i-le-Tai district comprises the villages
on the small island of Manono and Apolima, and their associated villages along the
north western tip of A’ana district, they sided with Va’afusuaga Tole’afoa and
Samala’ulu against their brother Fonoti in the war. Probably in an effort to reconcile
old differences, King Fonoti Tupu Tafa’ifa designated these villages an independent
political district in its own right-thus the political district Aiga-i-le-Tai,
literally family on the seaward side. King Fonoti also granted Ulualofaiga complete
power over Fagaloa District and in addition he gave Ulualofaiga the village of Amanave
in Tutuila. This village is controlled in this manner right down to the present day and
the authority as recognised by the American Government. The title Vaa-o-fonoti was also
given to Ulualofaiga by Fonoti as a name for his war canoe and this title distinguishes
the District down to the present day. It was him also Fonoti sought assistance when he
defeated Samala'ulu for Kingship of Samoa. There are also many other rewards conferred
too numerous to mention. King Fonoti Tupu Tafa'ifa of Samoa was the only and the last
Tafa'ifa King since Queen Salamasina Tupu Tafa'ifa in 1570. And there was no other war
ever since or even recorded in history that anyone had raised against King Fonoti Tupu
Tafa'ifa to claim the four Papa titles, nor through his Kingly lineage the 'Sa-Fonoti'
right to this present time. The following is King Fonoti Tupu Tafa'ifa's words in his
wish: “The Four High Titles Be For Me And My Children”.

The VA’A O FONOTI district comprises the village of Faleapuna and the sub district of
Fagaloa in the region of Atua. People in these places not only sided with King Fonoti
Tupu Tafa'ifa but their fleets also contributed greatly to King Fonoti's victory. In
reward King Fonoti Tupu Tafa'ifa designated them an independent political district in
its own right. AIGA ILE TAI district comprises the villages on the small island of
Manono and Apolima, and their associated villages along the north western tip of A'ana
district, they sided with Va'afusuaga Tole'afoa and Samala'ulu against their brother
Fonoti in the war. Probably in an effort to reconcile old differences, King Fonoti Tupu
Tafa'ifa designated these villages an independent political district in its own
right-thus the political district Aiga I le Tai, literally family on the seaward side.
It is the mark of distinction of a real Kingdom that King Fonoti Tupu Tafa’ifa was able
to issue such decrees and appointments (tofigas) which were looked upon as dogmas.

The Following All Samoa Fa’alupega from Two Occasions: (1.) TUMUA MA PULE; from the
four wars by warrior Goddess Nafanua for the titles, and Tupa’i Vaililigi bestowed the
four titles to Salamasina. (2.) AIGA I LE TAI, VA’A O FONOTI, and ITU’AU MA ALATAUA;
from the war for the four titles of Tui-A’ana Faumuina’s Tupufia his three children;
Fonoti, Samala’ulu and Va’afusuaga Tole’afoa. All of Samoa involved in this war, Fonoti
won and was bestowed the four titles; by Samoan Customs. (the four titles: Tui-Atua,
Tui-A’ana, Gatoaitele, and Vaetamasoali’i; as Tupu Tafa’ifa of Samoa).

APPOINTING OF KING FONOTI TUPU TAFA’IFA O SAMOA’S GOVERNMENT:
1. THE ALL SAMOA NATIONAL GREETING OR FA'ALUPEGA: 
‘TUMUA MA PULE, ITU’AU MA ALATAUA, AIGA ILE TAI, MA LE VA’A O FONOTI.
2. TE’O; ‘O oe o le Anava o Taua, ‘Ma lou Manu Samoa.
3. FIA’AITAGATA; ‘O au Suafa ia o Fatialofa, ma Auelua. ‘O le a fai i la’ua ma Tulauniu
o Atua, ‘Punefu o Atua, ‘To’oto’o o le Tuiatua.
4. MATA’UTIA; ‘O le Va’a o Fonoti, ‘O le Malu o Ma’auga – Leulumoega, ma
Lalogafu’afu’a, Lufilufi. ‘Fea, o le Va’a o Fonoti, ‘O fea fo’i e Fa’aopea ia Atua le
Fauono.
5. MOLIO’O; ‘O oe o le Va’a o Fonoti, ‘O oe o le To’o o le Fua.
6. LEUTELE; (Falefa), ‘O oe o le A’ai o le Tupu o Fonoti. ‘Falefa (District); Sanone,
Gagaemalae, Saleapaga, Sagapolu, Falevao, Sauago, Saletele, Uafato.
7. TOFAEONO; ‘E Ono Pou o Lufilufi, Fitu ia te oe. ‘E Iva Pou o Leulumoega, Sefulu ia
te oe. ‘E Fitu Pou o le Malietoa, Valu ia te oe. ‘E Tolu Pou o Satunumafono, Fa ia te oe.
8. O LE VA’A O FONOTI; Samamea, Maasina, Lona, Taelefaga, Salimu, Maauga, Musumusu,
Falefa, Sanone, Gagaemalae, Saleapaga, Sagapolu, Falevao, Sauago, Saletele,  Uafato, 
Lalomauga, Manunu, Faleapuna, Lufilufi, Saluafata,  Fusi, Salelesi, Safanua, Fagaloa,
Solosolo, Luatuanu’u.
9. TUMUA O ASIATA; Ole a Falefa Tumua ia te oe. (Asiata looking for Govt from King Fonoti) 
Thus the traditional saying“O SAMOA UA UMA ONA TOFI”.

KING FONOTI TUPU TAFA'IFA OF SAMOA HIS WISH WITH HIS BROTHER VA'AFUSUAGA 
TOLE'AFOA AT PALACE OF MULINU'U AND SEPOLATA'EMO IN LUFILUFI ATUA:
Then Toleafoa went and arrived in Lufilufi. He sat down beneath the breadfruit trees
and did not enter the house. So the king spoke: Be welcomed in the house so that we can
confer well with each other. So Toleafoa said: Your pigeon flight and gentle winds
descend upon me. I shall not enter your house except for the Tumua. So Fonoti and the
tumua said: Welcome here in the house, let us confer with the king. So Tole'afoa came
and sat down by the in-between posts at the rear. 

Again the king spoke: Come, that I may determine our affairs so that your children and
mine will fare well. THE FOLLOWING WERE THE WORDS OF FONOTI: THE FOUR HIGH TITLES BE
FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN, WHILE THE TITLE TONUMAIPE'A BE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN, 
so that you will lead the ‘aumaga. Therefore the’ aumaga shall be known to be
sanctified. And because you have the title Tonumaipe’a, you shall sit on a mat, and
only you alone shall sit outside on a mat, and the others of the ‘aumaga shall be
forbidden to sit down on a mat. When the kava chewing is over, all shall stand up with
their kava bits and put them in the kava bowl; but for your kava bit someone else shall
rise and take it there. Then let the kava bowl be brought and placed before you. If no
king is announced by the tumua, you are to be Tuiaana ave’au malaga and the words of
the aualuma are to point to you. Your aualuma is to be cared for by Leulumoega, and
Fasito’otai and Fasito’outa are to protect them.

HOWEVER, if you ever again reach for my things, you and your children shall be the prey
of the creepers (in the grave) and water shall flow below you; if on the other hand I
should reach for your things then I and my children shall be seized by the creepers and
water shall flow under me.

NOTE: King Fonoti held all four of the ancient paramount titles of Samoa; Tui-A'ana,
Tui-Atua, Vaetamasoali'i and Gatoaitele as the Tupu Tafa'ifa of Samoa since the 1600's.

O Tupu Tafa'ifa e lua o Samoa o Fonoti ma Salamasina o lo'o lagomau i le Aiga Pa'ia o
Sa-Levalasi i Mulifusi ma Tanumaleu, po'o le Malae o Papa i Lotofaga i Atua. (The Tupu
Tafa’ifa status of Samoa was only held by Salamasina and Fonoti.)

THE PETITION FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT IN SAMOA BY LEADER FONO FAIPULE HON FONOTI 
IN 1944,AND THE UNITED NATIONS APPROVAL ON THE 13th DECEMBER 1946. THE NEWLY 
SAMOAN FLAG WAS RAISED ON 1st JUNE 1948: SAMOA’S FREEDOM CONFIRMED!

The Petition for Self-Government in 1944 by the Fono of Faipule leader Hon Fonoti that
was presented directly to New Zealand Governor-General Sir Cyral Newall in June, and
much more directly to the Prime Minister Rt. Hon Peter Fraser on the 20-26th of
December the same year.

HE WAS FONOTI MATA’UTIA IOANE BROWN of Lalovaea and Lotofaga Atua. Born 17 Feb 
1901 and died 9 Oct 1974. While engaged to all his successful Business Activities, Hon
J.B.Fonoti was also a Successful Politician. He was the leader of ‘The Fono a Faipule’
of Samoa from 1939 to 1947. And was also a ‘Member of the Legislative Assembly’ from
1948 to 1952 and 1955 to 1957. And from 1954 he was also a member of the ‘Working
Committee of the Constitutional Convention of the Government of Samoa. And was the
leader of the MAU for Atua also from 1935 to Vaimoso in 1942. The founder and leader of
the Samoa Democratic Party in 1953.

THERE WAS, THEN, in Western Samoa from 1942 onwards a growing and audible demand for
self-government, a demand by no means silenced by New Zealand paternalism. In 1944 that
which had long been familiar to experts was made explicit. In June of that year the
Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, paid his third visit to the territory, and Samoan
spokesman and leader Hon Fonoti, while welcoming him on behalf of the Fono of Faipule,
expressed solid criticism of New Zealand policy.

In the month that followed, political activity continued, and the Faipule leader Hon
Fonoti formed a standing committee to keep in touch with the workings of the
administration: move with sinister precedents. In the view of an experienced observer;
it was not far removed from the FORMATION OF ANOTHER MAU. By this time, however, it was
known that the Prime Minister himself was about to visit the mandated territory. He was
known to have a keen personal interest in its administration, of which since 1940 he
had been the ministerial head; but the tremendous pressure of war issues during the
ensuing years had kept his main attention elsewhere.

IN 1944, as the war situation eased and as politics in Western Samoa grew more tense,
he carried out a long-deferred intention to discuss the matter on the spot with those
most concerned. This visit of the Prime Minister Peter Fraser to Western Samoa and his
discussions with a special Fono in December “PROVED A CRUCIAL EVENT IN NEW ZEALAND’S
RELATIONS WITH THE SAMOANS AND IN THE EVOLUTION OF NEW ZEALAND’S CONCEPTION OF
TRUSTEESHIP”. In the first place, the Samoans formulated their political demands for
themselves, as well as for the New Zealand Government, with unmistakable clarity. The
Faipule leader Hon Fonoti presented to the Prime Minister a list of remits, most of
which were detailed and aimed at progressive displacement of Europeans by Samoans in
administration, but which was HEADED BY A FIRM REQUEST FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT AFTER 
THE WAR.

DEMANDS WERE MADE in direct by leader Hon J.B. Fonoti with a firm request for
Self-Government in Samoa, REMIT NO.1: Samoans to be in control of their Government.
Petition the NZ PM Hon Mr. P Fraser, that the Government of Samoa be handed over to the
Samoans after the war. included: 1. The association with the administration of Samoa
representatives to deliberate with Fonoti on ‘All Government Matters, 2. The
appointment of Samoans as head of the Native Affairs Department, 3. For a Department of
Agriculture to be established, 4. Promotions of Samoans through out the Public Service
to more senior posts, 5. For the training overseas of the Ablest Samoan Youths for
further Education, 6. For Limiting the Term of Expatriates to Three Years and No more
than Six years etc.  
SEVERAL IMPORTANTS, though uncomplicated, decisions were made by New Zealand straight
away in particular: 1. A Scholarship Scheme to inaugurated to enable some of the Ablest
Samoa Children to go to New Zealand for further Education, 2. A new appointment was
made to the Office Of Administration. “This was not an easy position for the New
Zealand Government to fill”.

NOTE: The Trusteeship Agreement for Western Samoa was submitted and APPROVED by the
General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation on the 13 December 1946!” Its
details belong to the history of self-government in Samoa. “SAMOA’S FREEDOM FROM THE
BRITISH EMPEROR & NZ GOVERNMENT APPROVED AND CONFIRMED!”.

At the beginning of June TWO MAJOR EVENTS gave further evidence of the growing reality
of the new political era. ON 1ST OF JUNE 1948 THE NEWLY AUTHORIZED FLAGS OF SAMOA
-THE SAMOAN FLAG (which had just been adopted) and the New Zealand flag, flown
conjointly, were raised ceremonially for the first time. An official anthem, ‘The
Banner of Freedom’, had been composed for the occasion. In the wave of sympathetic
emotion which the occasion generated the country gained a national flag, a national
anthem and a national day. THE NEXT DAY 2ND JUNE THE HIGH COMMISSIONER opened the 
first session of the Legislative Assembly.

IMMEDIATELY after the general election of 1951, Hon Fonoti had taken the novel step of
calling a public meeting of Samoans to consider the formation of a political party. Out
of this action THE SAMOAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY EMERGED. Men as varied in their outlook as
Hon Fonoti himself, the practical businessman, in Hon Fonoti’s case, to retain
Political Office. During its first year the party claimed a membership of about three
hundred and the support of a substantial proportion of the untitled people; after that
it gradually declined. But the election of Hon Fonoti to the Fono of Faipule late in
1951 and his return to the Legislative Assembly in 1954 GAVE IT A PLACE IN THE FORMAL
POLITICAL LIFE OF THE COUNTRY; and others who were associated with it have since served
in Public Office. Though it was never able to function effectively as a pressure group,
it’s more important policy proposals were brought clearly before the public; even thou
the Party died, ITS IDEALS HAVE LIVED ON in the ‘Form of demand for Universal Surfrage
with Matai Candidacy, ‘The replacement of The Fono a Faipule and The Legislative
Assembly by One Body, ‘And personal tax services.

HON FONOTI MATA’UTIA JOHN BROWN GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS OF HIS WISH FOR THE 
OFFICIAL CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA IN 1954-57:

HON FONOTI: Hon Acting Chairmen and the dignity of the Convention.

Samoa, I would say that even though this Convention has been somewhat long, it is now
seven weeks since it started, but it is not a thing that we should be downhearted
about, and from what I have heard of the expression of options I am convinced that the
majority of us here are very keen indeed to secure Self Government – SAMOA INDEPENDENCE!

I AGREE that this Constitutional Convention is something like religious conference
because we have very often mentioned the Name of God, whereas this Convention is the
Constitutional Convention of the Government of Samoa. I feel that the reason why
perhaps we are mentioning the name of God so very often is because we are anxious that
a Government of Samoa be founded in God, and I WISH TO SAY THEREFORE TO YOU SAMOA 
WELL DONE INDEED.

Now I will express my opinion on this question of HEAD OF STATE. Before I actually
state what I have in mind I should first like to remind this Convention that I am one
of the members of the Working Committee, and our recommendation of course is before you
now; but since listening to the expressions which have been made in this Convention
since the time we started I have come to some conclusions and formed my own opinion
which I now wish to express before you.

FIRST, I would say that the present Council of State be retained and that its name be
changed to Fono of Ta’imua – Council of Leaders.
SECOND, that the four royal sons of Samoa be in that Council.
THIRD, that the Hon Tupua Tamasese and Hon Malietoa, as they are at present, the Head
of State, but for the future that there be ONLY ONE Head of State and that the Head of
the State be selected from within that fono of Ta’imua, and that THE FOUR nominates the
Head of the State. If they are unable to do that then the matter should be referred to
the Legislature for final action.

THOSE ARE MY WISHES TO THIS QUESTION OF HEAD OF THE STATE and I would say if 
we should do that and carry hope, faith and charity in our hearts, and trust in our
Lord, and trust in our own people, I am sure we will succeed and be bound together in
Unity and Friendship. And I would say not only for the present, but also for the
future, so that the very words written in our flag which is flying above us now “GOD IS
THE FOUNDATION OF SAMOA” may be always in our hearts. I have many other points which I
would have liked to speak about but time is short.

Sir, I move that THE STEERING COMMITTEE comprising 5 Samoans and 2 Europeans namely:
Hon Leutele Te’o, Hon Tualaulelei, Hon Gatoloai Peseta, Hon To’omata and Hon Va’ai Kolone,
Hon H.W. Moors and Hon A.M. Gurau, BE CONFIRMED.
Hon Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinuu (ii) as per the first Prime Minister of the
Government of Samoa - (Hon Fonoti called a meeting and confirmed this offer with his
district and family of Sa-Levalasi at Lotofaga Atua).

Fonoti Mata'utia Ioane Brown of Lotofaga Atua is a descendant of King Fonoti Tupu
Tafa’ifa of Samoa. Sa-Fonoti ma le Aiga Pa'ia o Sa-Levalasi Lotofaga Atua.

HON FONOTI (J.B. FONOTI) MAJOR GLOBAL RECOGNITION FOR WORLD PEACE AND 
FREEDOM 1945, BY REGENTS PROFESSOR PAUL GORDON LAUREN:

Paul Gordon Lauren, Ph.D. Biography: Paul Gordon Lauren is the first person to be named
as a Regents Professor at The University of Montana. He is an
internationally-recognized teacher and scholar on diplomacy, international relations,
and human rights.

Leader Hon Fonoti of Western Samoa rated at the same level as Gandhi of India and three
others for World Peace and Freedom:

FROM BOOK: The Evolution of International Human Rights; visions seen; by Paul Gordon
Lauren. Edition 2. (Page 176: Chapter 6)

Peace and a Charter with Human Rights: on Page 176
Peace, in their mind, thus required that “all human beings, irrespective of race,
creed, or sex, have the right to persue both their material well-being and their
spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security, and
equal opportunity.

Thus, the Atlantic Charter, the Declaration of the United Nations, the many speeches by
Allied leaders, and even the Declaration on Liberated Europe emerging as late as
February 1945 from the Yalta Conference between the United States, Britain, and the
Soviet Union all fostered this belief. But there was something more as well. The war
produced millions of new European victims of aggression at the hands of the Axis
powers. As a result, their own first-hand experience made them much more sympathetic
than ever to the sufferings of others forced to live under conquest and subjugation,
including those indigenous people within their colonial empires, who vowed that there
could never be lasting peace as long as they were denied their freedom. THUS, many
victims in the west began to join with many others like GANDHI IN INDIA, Ho Chi Minh of
Indochina, Nkrumah and Kenyatta of Africa, Carlos Romulo of the Philippines, and FONOTI
OF WESTERN SAMOA in regarding the right of self-determination as absolutely necessary
FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE.

KING FONOTI TUPU TAFA’IFA OF SAMOA Genealogy line after his death revived from the
Palace of Mulinu’u Lalogafu’afu’a and Sepolata’emo in Lufilufi the Tumua – One of the
two the principal place, the land of the Tui-Atua, to its final place and settled to
date at the Sacred family or Le Aiga Pa’ia of Sa-Levalasi at Lotofaga Atua, also known
as the Malae o Papa in Lotofaga. THE SA-FONOTI OF LOTOFAGA ATUA.

A SPECIAL NOTE: A’e malamalama i lou gafa ma tagata na e tupuna mai ai, o le a fa’apena
fo’i ona ofi atu ia te oe lagona o ia tagata. O TOA O SAMOA. Knowing your genealogy,
po’o lou malamalama i le gafa a oe ma lou aiga, e atili fafaga ai le agaga ia te oe o
le loto nu’u, ma lou loto aiga.