Mothers unite to clean around family tomb in Apia

By Talaia Mika 22 April 2019, 12:00AM

It was a Easter Monday well spent for the Atoamalefuaiupolu mothers as they cleaned up their Papauta family tomb in Apia. 

The women used the public holiday to spend quality family time together, they said in an interview with Samoa Observer. 

The tomb is also a tourist attraction, according to Naira Taefu Lavea Leitupo.

“There are always tourists sighted here taking photos, so it inspires us to beautify and clean it especially on such holidays like these.

“As you can see, there are a lot of us women of the family who made time because it’s a public holiday so we’re enjoying every bit of our time cleaning our tomb,” she said. 

Naira also expressed appreciation for the other members of the family joining them to clean around the tomb. 

“We barely get opportunities like these and that’s why I’m very grateful towards the 'aualuma' women for making the effort to gather as asked and it’s more exciting for us elders to see them spending quality time here as a family as well,” she added. 

Mrs. Leitupo said their family tomb’s history comprises the famous Malietoa Falefatu and his son Atoamalefuaiupolu.

“Our family members live all the way up in Vailima, Vaoala and those other villages up there that’s why this day is one of those special holidays where these family members gather not only to clean the tomb but to enjoy family time as well,” she said.

She also thanked the Church Minister of the Christian Church Congregational Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S) at Papauta, who lives next to the tomb, for looking after it.


“Him and his youth are also very helpful as they always look after our family tomb and helped clean it when we can’t and so we’re very grateful,” she added.

By Talaia Mika 22 April 2019, 12:00AM
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.

>