Residents of Etena-fou, an area near the Mulifanua Wharf, opposite Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort, had a lot of reasons to celebrate yesterday.

For one thing, the settlement has now been officially recognised as a village, with traditional Samoan honorifics (fa’alupega). 

The fa’alupega was revealed during a ceremony at the Etena-fou Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) Hall.

In Samoan, it reads: “Afio le aiga o Valoaga, O le paia lava lea i le toafitu o le Usoali’i, Afio lau Afioga Tofimalie, Afio Numiafa’atasi, Afio Fana’eomanu, Afio Puleafa’atasi, Afio Semailagi, Afio Puenailepapa, Afio Lupetalia, Maliu mai To’oto’o o le ituau, Mamalu lava lea ia te oe Etena Fou.”

Reverend Simona Avaia said the fa’alupega is a very important milestone for the village because it gives villagers, especially young people, a sense of identity and where they stand when it comes to Samoan oratory.

But there was more to celebrate. New matai titles were also bestowed.

 One of them was the title, Tofimalie, bestowed upon Pastor Avaia’s daughter, Etenafou Avaia.

Tofamalie Etena-fou said she was overwhelmed by the honour.

“I’m thankful,” she said. “This place was called a village of cattle and crop farms and now it’s recognized as a village with fa’alupega and I’m just so proud of it.”

Tofamalie, 22, is a Nursing student. She grew up in Etena-fou with her seven siblings.

Eleven other residents were bestowed various matai titles alongside Tofamalie. They shared the titles Numiafaatasi, Fana’eomanu, Puleafa’atasi, Semailagi, Puenailepapa, Lupetalia, Muaututasi, Manutulima, Pulefaasoa.