Matai titles bestowed at Vaitele
Vaitele welcomed 42 new matai titleholders yesterday during a colorful and elaborate ceremony at the residence of Toī.
The titles conferred included Galumalemana, Tupuola, Tagaloa, Siliga, Lealailepule, Lepou, Suemalo and others.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who holds the Galumalemana title at Vaitele was present. He was joined by the village’s Member of Parliament, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Nafoitoa Misa Talaimanu.
Galumalemana Sa’ilele blessed the new titleholders and reminded that matai titles are all about serving others.
Family member and new titleholder, Lealailepule Pona Tau’auve’a, said yesterday was an exciting event and the beginning of a new chapter for the family.
“A matai is not just a leader but serving your family and those around you,” he said. “It’s not an easy task but with God, everything is possible.
Rev. Isaako Faagai of the Methodist Church at Saina conducted the service.
The ceremony ended with traditional formalities. The titles bestowed:
Galumalemana
Galumalemana Tasi Feite, Galumalemana David, Galumalemana Itagia, Galumalemana Pola, Galumalemana Eterei Pula, Galumalemana Anuilagi Veletalola, Galumalemana Maria, Galumalemana Siutaulalovasa.
Tupuola
Tupuola Semu Matautia, Tupuola Levi, Tupuola Malaetele, Tupuola Lisi, Tupuola Peati, Tupuola Tutai
Tagaloa
Tagaloa Jordyn Wynne, Tagaloa Naomi, Tagaloa Richard Martin, Tagaloa Pierina Malielegaoi, Tagaloa Timuia, Tagaloa Amy Parker, Tagaloa Maulalo, Tagaloa Umuesi Leiataua.
Siliga
Siliga Maryann Feite, Siliga Esther Siliga Uilaefa Maiava
Other Titles
Agaimalo Tautalaaso Mata’ia, Aualiitia Laufiso Tusigaigoa, Aualiitia Eteuati Tauiliili, Auali’itia Molesi, Aualiitia Faleafa Umuesi, Lealailepule Pona Tau’auve’a, Lealailepule Simona, Lealailepule Tafa’i Mataia, Lealailepule Fuafiva, Lealailepule Samuelu Ne’emia, Lealailepule Seepa Latafale Mataia, Malagamali’i Li’a Mataia, Suemalo Sefulu, Suemalo Faleoatua Fili, Vaea Tafa’igata, Lepou Siuta and Lepou John Ng Lam.