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An Account of Samoan History up to 1918

[section]

I will relate the history of Faleapuna District without reference to time as the dates of the various happenings are not known. The Alplenent stories too as related by the Samoans often vary because they have been handed down by word of mouth and consequently suffer as the yearn pass on. However, many of the accounts, with slight variations, agree in the essential featuren.

In the early days of the District there were a few high chiefs who controlled the people such as Taito, Maeataanoa, Maimata aridTialavea.

The title Maimata has for many years been without a holder.

Generations ago there was a high chief of Manono named Tolufale and he took for his wife a chieftainness of the village of Apai in Manono. They had two sons named Puga and Manawa and a daughter named Ulaalemamae. When the father fell ill he was cared for by other members of the family whose names are not known. These other members were more of Tolufale's children. (Try and find out names.) They were born of different mothers. At this time the two sons had journeyed to the Atua District in search of food. They went to Atua because their true sister who had married Leutele-le-iite was living there. Puga and Manava returned with a supply of food but to their anger and disappointment they discovered that during their absence their father had distributed the titles and other privileges that he had to other of his children and left them with nothing. They left their family seat in disgust and returned to their sister in Atua. She was living at Faleapuna. Note: The Leutele-le-iite mentioned above was king of Atua (Tuiatua) at the time the first canoe with the King of Tonga arrived in Samoa. The King of Tonga was searching for his brother who had run away from Tonga to escape the vengeance of the King for having committed adultery with his wife. It was in this manner that the discovery of Samoa by the Tongans came about and the King of Tonga was so impressed by the Islands that on his return to Tonga he planned an invasion of Samoa. E.R.) Puga and Manava were held in high esteem by the people of Faleapuna because of their being the sons of a high chief and the brothers of the wife of their King Leutele-le-iite.

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(Try and ascertain the issues of Ulaalemamae and Leutele.)

After a lengthy residence in Faleapuna, Manava returned for a. short time and then went to the western side of Savai'i known as Itu Fogalele or Itu Salega where he finally settled. (What were his issues.)

Puga remained at Faleapuna where he continued to be highly respected by the people. He endeavoured to gain the good graces of Fonoti and Taua'a and in this he was successful and he finally became the leading orator in the District which entitled him to take an active part in the politics of Lufilufi which is the political centre of Atua. (What is the origin of the title Taua'a and how did Taua'a and Fonot come to be living at Faleapuna and be the political chiefs of the place?)

Fonoti and Taua'a were also reckoned amongst the chiefs who came under the special protection of Lufilufi as a result of their connection with Lalogafuafua. (Leifi at the first political meeting held at Lufilufi spoke from under a Fuafua tree and the assembly therefore called the “Malae” “Lalogafuafua” which means under the Fuafua tree.).

Puga changed his name and called himslef by the title Molio'o which has passed down to the present time. Fonoti and Taua'a are called his “Gafa” (connection) with Lufilufi. The complimentary title of the District is offered in this manner:-

1.

Afifio mai le Gafa, Fonoti ma Taua'a.) At the present time the titles Taito, Maeataanoa and Tialavea who were the first titles in Falea-punaare are included in the Faalupega.)

2.

Tulouna a lau Tofa Molio'o ma lo outou aiga Sa Molio'o.

3.

Tulouna a oe le Ailaoa ma le fofoga o Malepeai.

(Ailaoa includes all the Tuaafale (orators) but Malepeai was honoured for his good work for the Districy. (What did he do?) (Why is Molio'o called the “Pule” of Faleapuna? E pule Molio'o ia page 3 Faleapuna.) Molio'o is also greeted as the “To'o o le Fua” - a pole with which to propel the war fleet of Fagaloa.)