Don’t worry about it.). • Until about 1860 Samoa operated under an indigenous political system, Fa'amatai, with no centralised government. It’s embarrassingly overdue, I’m sorry. The American Samoa Government (ASG) is made up of three branches: Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. Matai titles 101. State of Samoa 3 96. So. …but in a battle against other worthy suli, you best come armed with your show-stopping lauga. I love that idea – that it’s no longer necessary for him to contribute financially because he’s paid his dues by now. c. given the responsibility of a Matai Sa’o, he or she is to be domiciled in Samoa and be present in the family and village to carry out duties expected of a Matai Sa’o. Here’s where it helps to not only know your language, but to be versed and practiced in Samoa’s higher, chiefly tongue. No More ‘Matai Sa’o’ Titles To Heirs Not Living In Samoa. The title Tuiletufuga has been revoked from Le'apai Siaosi, who was the leading matai Sa'o for the family over the past 20 years. O'meara found in the late 1980s in the region on Savai'i where he conducted fieldwork that 75 per cent of men aged 21 years and over were matai. Matai, Samoa’s complicated system of chiefs, How do you like your Samoan Chop Suey? POLITICAL FALLING OUT : Member of Parliament La’auli Fosi Schmidt making the official announcement of resignation from the governing HRPP with a file photo of PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Family heirs living outside Samoa are no longer allowed to be bestowed a ‘matai sa’o’ or head chief title unless they live in the country. He said this love for the poetry of language is in the soul of all Samoans. 1. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, in New Zealand for Waitangi Day celebrations, told Lol… Thank you for the insight on the sa’o. Finally read this thing through, and I must say It was a great read. The Office of the Attorney General clarified the new section of the law pertaining to the ‘matai sa’o’ in this statement released this week : The new requirements for the bestowal of matai titles under the Land and Titles Act 2020 (“LTA”), and more specifically Part 4 – Matai Titles are as follows : 1. 2. It’s too expensive. The role of the matais is very complex and interwoven deep into the fabric of Samoan culture and history. Sometimes, especially for titles of lower ranking, it might take a long while before they get around to finding new matai. Plus what YOU do as a chief can bring additional honor – and possibly some advancement – to your name. Required fields are marked *. power by Matai Sa’o, particularly in relation to matai titles and customary land, and recommend measures to reduce this in future. Matai titles, deeds, land leases —Territorial Registrar's fees go up. …mostly because there’s a lot of confusion these days, especially amongst us who were not raised in “fully Fa’asamoa” families, about the role of the Samoan chief. The title is then available and the family’s remaining matai – under the direction of their sa’o, or highest ranking ali’i chief – will decide when to begin searching for successors. Some people hear you’re a ‘chief’ and assume you’re the leader of your tribe somewhere. They will discuss the suitability of each of the candidates. Posted by hamogeekgirl | The Matai Handbook | 8, A while ago I wrote an introduction to the concept of Matai, Samoa’s complicated system of chiefs…. This provides a unique opportunity for women’s empowerment and leadership initiatives in Samoa to support women matai to strengthen their leadership skills. There is no suggestion that the whole family did not recognize Misa as the Laie during this time, or that there was any other legal obstacle to his registering of the title had he chosen to do so. He or she just has to have some support (it doesn’t hurt to have other matai or well respected elders arguing for you) and also, ideally, a track record of service to the family.