Malietoa - Succession List

Succession List

The following is one of the common lists of the Malietoa paramounts. A handful of other versions are also recorded, however the overall consistency of chronology and nomenclature is impressive given the oral nature of Samoan genealogy transmission.

1. Malietoa Savea - the first Malietoa and first central monarch of Samoa following the Tongan occupation of 'Upolu, Savai'i and Tutuila.

2. Malietoa Uilamatutu - also known as Malietoa Faiga or Malietoa Faisautele. Well known in Samoan mythology as a tyrant cannibal who exacted human tribute from his subjects. He married Lealainuanua, a daughter of the Tu'i Tonga, and resided at Malie on 'Upolu island. His brothers Leupolusavea and Ganasavea may have also ruled as Malietoa either in succession or simultaneously (as rivals). Simeona

3. Malietoa Galoa'itofo

4. Malietoa Sona'ilepule

5. Malietoa Seali'itele

6. Malietoa Uilematutu

7. Malietoa Fetoloa'i

8. Malietoa 'Ula - also known as Malietoa Vaetui or Malietoa Valaletimu. Said to have been a cruel cannibal king who lived at Leoneuta, near the village of Amoa on 'Upolu island.

9. Malietoa Lepalealai - a "scholar chief" known for his wit and love of complicated riddles

10. Malietoa Uitualagi - his position in the genealogy is debatable; some believe he was the biological son of Uilamatutu, others call him an adopted son, and yet others assert that his position is seven generations removed from Uilamatutu (as he is listed here).

11. Malietoa La'auli - also known as Malietoa La'ailepouliuli. An adopted son of Uitualagi; thus, the bloodline of Malietoa Savea does not continue along the patrilineal succession of the Malietoa title from this point on.

12. Malietoa Fuaoleto'elau - the biological son of Uitualagi who opposed his adoptive brother La'auli by setting up a rival government at Si'umu, 'Upolu. Tohu'ia Limapo, the Samoan ancestress of the Tu'i Kanokupolu dynasty of Tonga was a member of the 'Ama family of Safata which descends from Fuaoleto'elau.

13. Malietoa Falefatu - son of Malietoa La'auli (may have been adopted).

14. Malietoa Sagagaimuli - son of Falefatu. Also known as Malietoa Fe'ai (The Wild). Portrayed in oral tradition as a cannibal and bloodthirsty warrior who preferred the battlefield to the royal court.

15. Malietoa Taulapapa - confusion exists regarding this figure because at least two men with the same name laid claim to the title during this period. One Malietoa Taulapapa was a descendant of Malietoa Falefatu while another was a matrilineal descendant of Malietoa La'auli.

16. Malietoa Taia'opo - the only female Malietoa known to history. Her husband was a ranking Tongan chief named Anava'o who carried the Fale Fisi title of Tu'i Lakepa. Legend mentions her reign as one of benevolence and peace. Her brother Seiuli was probably also a Malietoa at one time, although an alternate explanation asserts that Malietoa Seiuli was a descendant of Malietoa Sagagaimuli who claimed the title during this time. A Malietoa Leafuitevaga is also mentioned at this point in some genealogies.

17. Malietoa Tuila'epa - apparently held the Fijian-derived Tongan title of Tu'i Lakepa (Tuila'epa) which his father held, as well as the Malietoa.

18. Malietoa To'oa Tuila'epa - may be the same person as Tuila'epa.

19. Malietoa 'Ae'o'ainu'u - son of either Tuila'epa or To'oa Tuila'epa. Named after 'Ae, the fierce war chief of Tutuila.

20. Malietoa Laulauafolasa

21. Malietoa Muagututi'a - also known as Malietoa Ti'a. Relocated the Malietoa political headquarters and royal household from Malie, 'Upolu to Sapapali'i, Savai'i.

22. Malietoa Fitisemanu I.

23. Malietoa Vaiinupo

24. Malietoa Natuitasina - Half Brother (Same father, Malietoa Fitisemanu I) to Malietoa Vaiinupo

25. Malietoa Moli SEUPULE.......................

26. Malietoa Talavou Tonumaipe'a

27. Malietoa Laupepa

28. Malietoa Tanumafili I

29. Malietoa Tanumafili II (1913–2007), holder of the title from 1939 until 2007. Awarded the title through court decision of 1939. When Samoa become independent in 1962, he also becomes O le Ao o le Malo (Head of State), jointly with Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole.

LANDS AND TITLE COURT DECISION 18 JUNE 2008

The Lands and Title Court ruled on the 18 June 2008 that the title bestowal conducted in 2007 on Fa'amausili Papali'i Moli was legally and traditionally invalid and his title was therefore quashed. This means that he is no longer a suitable candidate for the Malietoa title as he has been proven to have broken the law of Samoa. The Court is now of the view that the next Malietoa should be a person that can best unite an obviously divided family and continue the tradition of leadership and service established by previous Malietoas.

LEADING CONTENDER TO THE MALIETOA TITLE MARRIES IN SAMOA

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, July 19, 2010) - The eldest grandson of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II and likely successor to the Malietoa paramount title was married on Saturday.

Laauli Papali΄i Malietau Sapatu-motu-pa Laupepa Titimaea Malietoa said “I do” to his sweetheart, Soonaalofa ‘Sina’ Ah Poe in a ceremony at Papauta Girls' College church complex. He is the only son of Malietoa Tanumafili II’s eldest Papalii Molio΄o Laupepa Malietoa who was a member of parliament and Minister of Justice in the 1980s and Aiono Sia.

The wedding, conducted by the EFKS Deputy Chair, Lale Ieremia was attended by the Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and his masiofo (queen), Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai

Naioti Sailele Malielegaoi, cabinet ministers, guests, family and friends.

Known to his friends as ‘Tau,’ the full extension of that name - Malietau - is significant as he’s the first to be named as such since the Tui Toga were vanquished all those years ago. His late aunt, Tooa Salamasina bequeathed him the name and yesterday he paid homage with his wife’s first duty before meeting guests to place her bouquet of flowers on Tooa’s tomb at Papauta.

The wedding service was conducted by Rev. Lale Ieremia in a beautifully decorated church. Laced with simple flowers, the mahogany furniture for the Head of State and his masiofo were contrasted by the orange and white colours tracing the church interior contours which Sina described to signify ‘earth and purity.’

The curator for Samoa’s National Museum, Soonaalofa has a masters degree in Fine Arts from England’s Newcastle University. Marrying Malietau, "Is a sign from above. Being career minded I had resigned myself to staying single but not long ago I dedicated myself to our Father in Heaven and told him, do with me what you will. And that’s when Tau entered my life – and I’m just so happy that he did."

http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2010/July/07-21-16.htm