Safotulafai
| Safotulafai | |
|---|---|
| Village District | |
  Safotulafai | |
| Coordinates: 13°40′54″S 172°11′5.8″W / 13.68167°S 172.184944°W | |
| Country |
 Samoa |
| District | Fa'asaleleaga |
| Time zone | -11 |
_and_two_chiefs_aboard_German_warship_taking_them_to_exile_in_Saipan_1909.jpg)
Safotulafai is a traditional sub-district at the east end of Savai'i island with historical and political significance in Samoa's history. It is the traditional centre of Fa'asaleleaga political district.
Safotulafai is the original 'Pule', which is why Savaii is called 'Pule' of Samoa. Years later, Safotulafai chose to divide the 'Pule' into six while reserving the right to be the 'Matua' of 'Pule'. Today, Safotulafai remains to be one of the traditional 'Pule' (customary authority) ruling districts of Savai'i. Chief (matai) council meetings are held at Fuifatu malae. The sub-district includes the villages of Fatausi, Tuasivi, Fusi and Fogapoa.
History
In the early 1900s, during the time when the country was called German Samoa (1900 - 1914), this is also the place which saw the beginnings of the Mau, Samoa's independence movement.[1] This initial resistance movement against German colonial rule was called the Mau a Pule. It was led by well known orator Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe from Satotulafai.[1] In 1909, Lauaki and other Mau a Pule supporters, including his older brother who was the holder of the 'Namulauulu' family chief title, were trialed and exiled to Saipan by German Governor Wilhelm Solf. Some of the Mau a Pule died in exile.[1]
By the late 1920s, the Mau movement had gathered widespread national support under the New Zealand administration which followed from colonial rule by Germany.
In 1962, the country became the first Pacific nation to gain political independence, under its former name Western Samoa which formally changed to Samoa in 1997.
Matai chief titles
Safotulafai has strong traditional connections with Saleaula on the central north coast, through the paramount chiefly title (matai) of Letufuga. Safotulafai is always consulted by the village of Malie (Tuamasaga district) in conjunction with Manono Island (Aiga-i-le-Tai district), in the election of Malietoa title-holders.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 , Lagaga: a short history of Western Samoa by Malama Meleisea and Penelope Schoeffel Meleisea,p.117
Coordinates: 13°40′S 172°07′W / 13.667°S 172.117°W
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