Malietoa Tanumafili II
CBE | |
---|---|
O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa | |
In office 1 January 1962 – 11 May 2007 Serving with Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole until 5 April 1963 | |
Prime Minister | See list
|
Preceded by | Office Established ( High Commissioner) |
Succeeded by | Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi |
Malietoa | |
Tenure 7 January 1940 – 11 May 2007 | |
Preceded by | Malietoa Tanumafili I |
Succeeded by | Malietoa Faamausili Molī |
Personal details | |
Born | German Samoa | 4 January 1913
Died | 11 May 2007 Apia, Samoa | (aged 94)
Resting place | Mulinu'u |
Spouse(s) | Le Afioga i le Masiofo, Lili Tunu |
Children | 11 (including Papalii Laupepa) |
Parent(s) | Malietoa Tanumafili I and Momoe Lupeuluiva Meleisea |
Malietoa Tanumafili II
The Malietoa is one of the four tama-a-'aiga (maximal lineage) titles of Samoa, alongside
Following an extended period deliberation, the Malietoa title passed to his eldest son, Malietoa Fa’amausili Molī.
Early and personal life
His Highness was born on 4 January 1913 as the son and third child of his parents, Malietoa Tanumafili I and Momoe Lupeuluiva Meleisea.[5] He was chosen as the Mālietoa in 1940 following his father's death on 5 July 1939.
Tanumafili was educated at the government run Leififi School in Samoa. He went on to enroll at St. Stephen's School and Wesley College in Pukekohe, both of which are in New Zealand. Malietoa was an active athlete during his younger years. His favourite sports included boxing, rugby and cricket.[6] Malietoa's interest in sports continued throughout his life and he was an avid golfer well into his 90s. He could often be seen driving his golf cart around Samoa.[1]
His wife, Lili Tunu, died in 1986.[7] Tanumafili had eleven children during his life; one child died in infancy, while two of his sons, Papalii Laupepa and Papaliitele Eti, died in 1985 and 2005 respectively. His eight other children are his sons Suʻa Vainuupo, Afioga Malietoa Papaliʻitele Faamausili Molī (the current holder of the Malietoa title), Papaliʻitele Titiuatoa, Papaliʻitele Ioane, Papaliʻitele Douglas and his daughters Seiuli Tutai, Lola Tosi (mother-in-law of Tongan prince Lord Ma'atu) and Momoe. At the time of his death, he had four surviving children – two sons and two daughters.[8][9][10]
Malietoa Tanumafili II was a follower of the Baháʼí Faith. He was the first President and the first serving head of state to be a member of the religion. He announced his belief via official letterhead on Friday 30 March 1973.[11] Following his letter, on Monday 7 May 1973, the Universal House of Justice announced to the Bahá’ís of the World that a reigning monarch, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, had accepted the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.[12] On Saturday 27 January 1979 Malietoa laid the foundational cornerstone of the Baháʼí House of Worship in Tiapapata, eight kilometres from the country's capital of Apia.[13][14] The temple was subsequently dedicated by him at completion on Saturday 1 September 1984.[15]
Public life
Tanumafili officially inherited the royal title of
Chiefdom of State
Upon Samoa's independence in 1962, Malietoa Tanumafili II became
Malietoa travelled extensively during his term as O le Ao o le Malo. He travelled to the People's Republic of China for an official
Additionally, during his term he also visited Australia,
Malietoa Tanumafili II was described as the last survivor of a generation of important Pacific leaders who guided their countries and peoples from
Death
Malietoa Tanumafili II died at 18:45 on Friday 11 May 2007, at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital at Motoʻotua in Apia. He was being treated as a patient for pneumonia at the hospital for approximately a week.[22] He died from a heart attack.
His death was announced by Samoan Secretary of State Vaasatia Poloma Komiti on SBC TV1. "It is with deepest regret that we inform you of the passing of our Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II."[23]
At the time of his death, he was the longest serving incumbent non-royal state leader (succeeded by Gabon's Omar Bongo), and the world's third longest serving living head of state after Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned from 1946 until his death in 2016 and Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned from 1952 until her death in 2022.[24]
Funeral
Samoa entered a state of official mourning from the time of the Malietoa's death until his official funeral. All
Malietoa Tanumafili II's body was taken from a private funeral home (Ligaliga Funeral) to his residence at Fa'ato'ialemanu on 16 May, which marked the beginning of his funeral services. Hundreds of the Malietoa's close and extended relatives, including his children, attended a special private family service that night.
The state funeral was a rare occasion when ancient rituals and exchanges were made to the Sa Malietoa (one of national political 'families’ or clans from which the Malietoa title belongs). Traditional cultural presentations (or Si'i Fa'atupu) from other districts and clans from within Samoa were made and ancient funeral rites were performed. The delegation (or auala) from Lufilufi and Falefa, representing the
The major village of the Malietoa title, Malie, played a major role in funeral ceremonies and exchanges. The 'aumaga (untitled men) of Malie, called the Aumaga a Laauli, and the 'aumaga (untitled men) of Falealili, called the Manu Samoa, provided hundreds of traditional guards in and around the compounds where the Malietoa lay in state. They also patrolled the roads around Faatoialemanu and provided escorting duties whenever the body was moved. On the day of the funeral the grounds of Tiafau Malae where the funeral was held were guarded by 300 men of the Aumaga a Laauli. Presiding over the body was the Salelesi (the ancient herald or 'dog' of the Malietoa and Tupua Tamasese), from the village of Salelesi (District of Atua). His role is to guard the body, herald its presence and escort it into the tomb. All villages in the District of Tuamasaga and other villages connected to the Malietoa title cut palm leaves and branches of hundreds of coconut trees and laid them by the side of main roads in an ancient mark of mourning for the death of a paramount chief.[26]
The Malietoa's body was then moved to the Samoan Parliament to lie in state on 17 May. His funeral was held on 18 May in Apia.[27]
International reaction
United Kingdom – Queen Elizabeth II stated: "I have learned with great sadness of the death of His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II. I recall with pleasure my visit to Samoa, with Prince Philip, in 1977. I could see then the great affection and respect which the people of Samoa felt for him, earned by a long record of service to his nation. His Highness's passing will be mourned widely throughout the Commonwealth. Prince Philip joins me in sending our condolences to the Samoan people."
United States – President George W. Bush stated: "On behalf of the American people, I extend my deepest condolences to you and the people of Samoa on the death of His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II. For forty-five years, Malietoa promoted democracy, prosperity and peace in his country and in the Pacific — values that we in the United States also share. Malietoa fostered a close relationship between our countries and peoples, especially through his contact with American Samoa. His regular visits to American Samoa for the annual Flag Day festivities, along with his sincerity, goodwill and humility, will be greatly missed. As you and the people of Samoa mourn the loss of His Highess Malietoa Tanumafili II, please know that the people of the United States stand at your side."
China – General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Hu Jintao stated: "I was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing away of His Highness, Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa. On behalf of the Government and people of the People's Republic of China, and in my own name, I wish to convey our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to the Government and people of Samoa, and to the bereaved family of His Highness. His Highness was a statesman of noble character and high prestige who made outstanding contributions to the independence and development of Samoa. As Head of State of Samoa, he was not only friendly to China but was also committed to maintaining and promoting the cordial and cooperative relations between Samoa and China, which the Chinese people will never forget. I hope and believe that the cause of friendship initiated by His Highness will be continuously consolidated and strengthened with joint efforts by both the Samoan and Chinese Governments."
New Zealand – Prime Minister Helen Clark reacted to the news of Tanumafili's death: "Through his long reign as Head of State, Malietoa represented Samoa with wisdom, humour and insight.... Malietoa was educated at St. Stephens School near Auckland. He was a great friend of New Zealand as Head of State, and was well known to successive New Zealand governments and diplomats.... It is significant that New Zealand has a Treaty of Friendship with only one country — Samoa — and our shared unique relationship was due in no small part to Malietoa's influence as a father of modern Samoa. New Zealanders of Samoan descent, together with their palagi counterparts, will be thinking of Samoa, at this sad time."[23]
Baháʼí International Community – The governing body of the Baháʼís, the Universal House of Justice wrote: "His service to the people of Samoa as Head of State was distinguished by the high principles, genuine compassion and personal humility that characterized the constancy of his concern for the welfare of all. As the first reigning sovereign to accept the Message of Baháʼu'lláh, he set a record that will forever illumine the annals of our Faith, one that future generations will increasingly extol. His great interest for well-nigh four decades in the Faith's progress was reflected in the enthusiastic affirmation of his belief whenever the opportunity presented itself and in the abiding joy with which he regarded the construction in 1984 of the Mother Temple of the Pacific Islands in Samoa...."[30]
Honours
Also bestowed on Malietoa was the title of Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire during his life.
Constitution |
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References
- ^ a b c "Malietoa Tanumafili II (Obituary)". The Economist. The Economist print edition. 24 May 2007. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2007.
- ^ Western Samoa Products and English, Samoan Languages Archived 23 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Funeral and memorial service planned for Samoan head of state | BWNS". Bahá’í World News Service. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
- OCLC 39644002.
- ^ "Genealogy". Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- ^ a b "Samoa's King Malietoa Tanumafili II, 94". The Honolulu Advertiser. Associated Press. 13 May 2007. Archived from the original on 19 May 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
- ^ King Malietoa Tanumafili II of Samoa dead at 94 – The Honolulu Advertiser – Hawaii's Newspaper
- ^ "Government of Samoa - Official Website". Archived from the original on 20 May 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2007. Profile
- Sydney Morning Herald. 13 May 2007. Retrieved 13 May 2007.
- ^ Tautua-Fanene, Deidre (17 August 2018). "Malietoa title bestowed at Malie". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
- ^ Tanumafili II, Malietoa (30 March 1973). "Office of the Head of State". The Baháʼí World. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ^ Universal House of Justice (7 May 1973). "To the Bahá'ís of the World". Bahá’í Reference Library. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ^ "His Highness lays stone". Samoa Observer. 1 February 1979. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ^ "The Institution of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár". The Baháʼí World. 30 March 1973. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ^ Tanumafili II, Malietoa (1 September 1984). "Text of the address of His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II". The Baháʼí World. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Photos: Samoans farewell their king and 'father'". The New Zealand Herald. 20 May 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
- Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the originalon 30 September 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
- .
- ^ "THE FIRST VISIT BY A Bahá'í REIGNING MONARCH TO THE RESTING PLACE OF SHOGHI EFFENDI". The Baháʼí World. 17: 69. 1976.
- ^ "Dignitaries bid farewell to 'father of Samoa' Malietoa". Taipei Times. Associated Press. 20 May 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
- ^ McCammon, Belinda (20 May 2007). "NZ will work with whoever Samoa elects – Clark". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
- ^ Sagapolutele, Fili (12 May 2007). "Samoan Head of State Passes Away". Pacific Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
- ^ a b Jackson, Cherelle (13 May 2007). "Samoa's Head of State Malietoa dies aged 95". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
- ^ a b "Samoa's king, one of world's longest reigning monarchs, dies". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 12 May 2007. Retrieved 13 May 2007.
- Radio New Zealand International. Radio New Zealand International. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
- Radio New Zealand International. Radio New Zealand International. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
- NZPA. 19 May 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
- ^ "South Africa's condolences on Samoa king's death". SABC News. SABC News. 14 May 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
- Government of the Federated States of Micronesia. 22 May 2007. Archived from the originalon 25 September 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
- ^ Baháʼí International Community (14 May 2007). "Funeral and memorial service planned for Samoan head of state". Baháʼí World News Service. Retrieved 14 May 2007.
- ^ "Samoa King Dies". Herald Sun. Associated Press. 13 May 2007. Retrieved 13 May 2007.