Mata'afa Iosefo
Encyclopedia
Mata'afa Iosefo was a Paramount Chief
of Samoa
who was one of the three rival candidates for the kingship of Samoa during colonialism
. He was also referred to as Tupua Malietoa To'oa Mata'afa Iosefo.
The matai
chiefly title Mata'afa
is one of four highest titles in Samoa.
From the late 19th century, Iosefo (first name) played a pivotal role during the country's colonial era when Germany
, Great Britain
and the United States
were vying for control of the Samoa Islands. Each western power had their own chiefly candidate for the 'kingship' of Samoa.
In the late 19th century, Mata'afa Iosefo was exiled to the Marshall Islands and was permitted to return in 1898. The Germans upheld his claim for the kingship.
During the Second Samoan Civil War
, Mata'afa Iosefo and his followers won several battles
, including the Third Battle of Vailele in which the Mataafans defeated Samoan loyalists and a squadron of British and American warships.
His push for the kingship of Samoa was also supported by the early Mau movement
led by orator Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe
. In 1900, Iosefo was declared Ali'i Sili (highest chief) by the German
colonial powers. Iosefo succeeded his father, Mata'afa Tafagamanu, to the Mata'afa title.
, a holder of the Mata'afa title became the first Prime Minister of Samoa
at the country's independence. He was Samoa's best men of the village.
Paramount chief
A paramount chief is the highest-level traditional chief or political leader in a regional or local polity or country typically administered politically with a chief-based system. This definition is used occasionally in anthropological and archaeological theory to refer to the rulers of multiple...
of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
who was one of the three rival candidates for the kingship of Samoa during colonialism
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
. He was also referred to as Tupua Malietoa To'oa Mata'afa Iosefo.
The matai
Fa'amatai
Fa'amatai is the chiefly system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society.It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in the Samoa Islands, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa...
chiefly title Mata'afa
Mata'afa
Mata'afa is a high chief title in Samoa under the country's Matai system of socio-political governance where individuals are bestowed with family names...
is one of four highest titles in Samoa.
From the late 19th century, Iosefo (first name) played a pivotal role during the country's colonial era when Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
were vying for control of the Samoa Islands. Each western power had their own chiefly candidate for the 'kingship' of Samoa.
In the late 19th century, Mata'afa Iosefo was exiled to the Marshall Islands and was permitted to return in 1898. The Germans upheld his claim for the kingship.
During the Second Samoan Civil War
Second Samoan Civil War
The Second Samoan Civil War was a conflict that reached a head in 1898 when Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States were locked in dispute over who should have control over the Samoan island chain, located in the South Pacific Ocean...
, Mata'afa Iosefo and his followers won several battles
First Battle of Vailele
The First Battle of Vailele was fought during the Second Samoan Civil War in 1899. British, American and Samoan forces loyal to Prince Tanu were defeated by a superior force of Samoan rebels loyal to Mata'afa Iosefo...
, including the Third Battle of Vailele in which the Mataafans defeated Samoan loyalists and a squadron of British and American warships.
His push for the kingship of Samoa was also supported by the early Mau movement
Mau movement
The Mau was a non-violent movement for Samoan independence from colonial rule during the early 1900s. The word 'Mau' means 'opinion' or 'testimony' denoting 'firm strength' in Samoan...
led by orator Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe
Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe
Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe was a renowned orator chief and the first leader of the Mau, a resistance movement in Samoa during colonialism. Lauaki was exiled to Saipan in 1909. He died in 1915 as he was taken back to Samoa.He was from Safotulafai, the capital of Fa'asaleleaga political district on...
. In 1900, Iosefo was declared Ali'i Sili (highest chief) by the German
German Samoa
German Samoa was a German protectorate from 1900 to 1914, consisting of the islands of Upolu, Savai'i, Apolima and Manono, now wholly within the independent state Samoa, formerly Western Samoa...
colonial powers. Iosefo succeeded his father, Mata'afa Tafagamanu, to the Mata'afa title.
Family
Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu’u IIFiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu’u II
Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu’u II, C.B.E. was a paramount chief and the first Prime Minister of Samoa. He was Prime Minister from October 1, 1959 until February 1970 and again from March 1973 until his death in 1975...
, a holder of the Mata'afa title became the first Prime Minister of Samoa
Prime Minister of Samoa
This is a list of Prime Ministers of Samoa from the establishment of that office in 1875 until the present day.-List of Prime Ministers of Samoa :-See also:*Samoa**Politics of Samoa...
at the country's independence. He was Samoa's best men of the village.