Administration and Institutions
ʻUvea (Wallis) is one of the three traditional kingdoms of Wallis and Futuna, the other two being Alo and Sigave in the Hoorn Islands (Futuna Islands). Its capital, Matāʻutu, located on the east coast, is also the capital of the whole territory, Wallis and Futuna. The kingdom is divided into three districts, which are listed from north to south:
The King of Uvea is called the "Lavelua". As Lavelua, he lives in the royal palace called "SagatoSoane". (Official Residence of the King of ʻUvea). In front of the Palace is the SagatoSoane's Square. (Mala'e SagatoSoane)
The King appoints the ministers, who are among 6. Each Ministers hold a noble title (established under the reign of the Queen Amelia) who correspond to ancient great reigning lineage families. The King has to choose in one of each families and this choice is often contested by other family members. But they are obliged to respect. By odre of precedence :
- Kalae Kivalu (District of Hahake)
- Mahe Fotu'aika (District of Mua)
- Ulu'imonua (District of Hihifo)
- Kulitea (District of Hihifo)
- Muko'ifenua (District of Mua)
- Fotu'atamai (District of Hahake)
The Kalae Kivalu is the Chief of the Customary Council of Ministers and Prime Minister.
The King also appoints, on proposition of the populations three chief for each district. They are called Faipule, and are responsible of Chief of villages (Pule Kolo or Aliki Kaifenua or Matapule "Tongan style"). They can raise the duties of general interest, and are established or discharged during general assemblies of village (Fono Fakakolo) with usually take place on Sunday after the morning mass in the "Falefono".
Read more about this topic: Wallis (island)
Famous quotes containing the word institutions:
“The way in which men cling to old institutions after the life has departed out of them, and out of themselves, reminds me of those monkeys which cling by their tails—aye, whose tails contract about the limbs, even the dead limbs, of the forest, and they hang suspended beyond the hunter’s reach long after they are dead. It is of no use to argue with such men. They have not an apprehensive intellect, but merely, as it were a prehensile tail.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)