Alo (also known unofficially as Tu`a or the Kingdom of Futuna[1]) is one of three official chiefdoms of the French territory of Wallis and Futuna (the other two being Uvea and Sigave) in Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean.
Alo encompasses the eastern two thirds (53 square kilometres (20 sq mi) out of 83 square kilometres (32 sq mi)) of Futuna Island, and all of the mostly uninhabited Alofi Island (32 square kilometres (12 sq mi), population 2), 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to the southeast of Futuna Island. The total area of the chiefdom is 85 square kilometres (33 sq mi), and total population is 2,993 spread among nine villages, as of the July 22, 2003 census. The capital is the village of Mala'e (population 238). The largest village is Ono (population 738). The last Tuigaifo, or King, of the Kingdom of Alo was Petelo Vikena, whose coronation took place on November 6, 2008, in the small village of Alo.[2] He abdicated, amid local controversy, on January 22, 2010. The Throne will remain vacant until a new Tuigaifo is chosen by the Council of Chiefs.
Villages:
Village | Population (Census 2003-07-22) |
---|---|
Alofi Island | |
Alofi (Alofitai) (Mua) | 2 |
Futuna Island, north coast | |
Poi | 294 |
Tamana | 226 |
Tuatafa | 43 |
Futuna Island, south coast | |
Kolia | 432 |
Mala'e (Alo) | 238 |
Ono | 738 |
Taoa | 717 |
Vele | 303 |
Alo (Tu`a) | 2993 |