Aiono chiefly titles bestowed

By Deidre Tautua – Fanene 20 October 2018, 12:00AM

The village of Fasito’o-uta welcomed nine new holders of the Aiono chiefly title yesterday morning.

The titleholders from the heirs of Aiono Aipovi and Aiono Sapeki were blessed during an elaborate and traditional ceremony attended by families and villagers.

Prior to the traditional formalities, the titleholders were blessed by Reverend Uta Muaulu of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Fasitoo uta. 

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and the Speaker of the House Leaupepe Toleafoa Fa’afisi were present during the bestowment.

The family’s spokesperson, Tuilavasi’i Tom Aiono, said the most important message to the new holders of the Aiono title is to live in peace and harmony.

“They were chosen by our family to be peacekeepers of our family,” he said, adding that yesterday’s event was an exciting time as it was the culmination of years of planning. 

He also said it has been 10 years since the Aiono title has been bestowed.

“The whole purpose of this bestowment is to have enough matai to look after our Sa Aionō family,” he said. “The reason it has taken that long is because our family was still trying to make decisions on who will be suitable to be bestowed the Aiono title to look after the family. 

“So it has taken our family 10 years and now our family has finally come up with a decision and sort out some differences and now we celebrate this milestone.”

Among the nine new holders was one female from the family of Aiono Aipovi. Tuilaepa reminded the title holders that they’ve been chosen to lead and guide their family. 

Toleafoa Faafisi told them that families are forever.

“The most important thing is to live in peace and harmony and that’s what family is all about.”

Aiono Tile Gafa reminded the new holders to put God in the center of everything they do.

“Trust in God and He will guide you all the way, trust in Him and He will lead you to the right path and especially in decision making.”

The celebration was held at the Maota o Taupouga ma Matailiili o le Uluai Pou o Malo.

By Deidre Tautua – Fanene 20 October 2018, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>