The Sa Fonoti family in Iva Savai'i celebrated a milestone on Saturday after bestowing over 100 chiefly titles to its growing number of descendants.

The chiefly title of Fonoti was bestowed to 117 new title holders and 48 others were conferred the orator title of Togisia and Tuiavea. 

Almost half of those who were bestowed matai titles were women. 

According to Fonoti Moeloa the family has expanded in number and the bestowment of titles was to recognise the service of the various heirs to the title. 

He congratulated the new title holders and reminded them not neglect their service to their family and village after being honoured with the titles. 

He added that the matai titles are treasures of the family and should be held with respect and not be misused to gain any financial needs. 

Fonoti Fitu Wong Soon also told the gathering that the event was crucial as it brought together many descendants of Fonoti who were not familiar to each other. 

“Most of us just met each other here for the first time,” he said. 

He said there is a need to revive the family annual service to bring together the descendants of Fonoti and get to know each other. 

The event was the light at the end of the tunnel following disputes over the title in the past that was settled by the Land and Titles Court confirming several heirs to the Fonoti title. 

The heirs of the Fonoti title not only reside in Iva with others coming from Salelologa, Aopo, Palauli, Satupaitea, Afega, Fasitoo and other villages. 

Relatives that were unable to attend the ceremony were able to witness it through online videos and live stream posted on social media. 

The last time the title Fonoti was held by a single title holder was after the passing of the late Fonoti Seve Tupufia in 1998. 

After his passing the title was later bestowed to multiple title holders in 2011 when less than 10 descendants were conferred the Fonoti title.