Seiuli family members bestowed titles

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 18 November 2018, 12:00AM

Vaea Vaiaoga was among the 29 men and women from the Seiuli family who were bestowed chiefly titles recently in Falelima Savai’i. 

Vaiaoga, who works as an airline cabin crew member, was bestowed the Seiuli title and could not be more proud of the occasion.

“In my line of work, I have travelled the world but there is no place like home and in saying that this title brings me back to my roots and what I was taught as a young man and that is service to my family, my village and my church,” he said. 

A total of 29 men and women were bestowed chiefly titles: 19 Seiuli titles; eight Tanuvasamanaia; and a Tevaui and Ifopo. 

The intricate ceremony was held at the Maota-o-Seiuli/Tanuvasamanaia in Falelima, Savai’i. It was blessed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bishop, Tuimaseve. Methodist Reverend, Fa’apea Elia gave words of encouragement at the ceremony and quoted passages from the Bible for the new chiefs. 

Seiuli Vaea, in an email to the Samoa Observer, dedicated the milestone to his late mother, Aofialefagailaua Sosaia Vaiaoga. 

“All our lives we work towards making our family and parents proud; hence this is a bittersweet event for me, as my mother is not here to witness this milestone in my life. 

“My siblings and I were taught the principle of life in mum’s book was serving (tautua) the family, the village and the church. “This is paramount to her and that is why I am honored to take on this title and continue to make my mother proud,” he said.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 18 November 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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