Va'a-o-Fonoti
Encyclopedia
Va'a-o-Fonoti is a district
on the north east coast of Upolu
Island in Samoa
, with a population (2001 Census) of 1,666, making it the least populated district in the country.
The district is 38 km² and consists of a main area around Fagaloa Bay
with nine villages and a small coastal exclave about 10 km further northwest, with the village of Faleāpuna (pop. 582). The district includes areas with significant conservation and cultural values. Va'a-o-Fonoti geographical boundaries are surrounded by the larger district of Atua
. The capital of Va'a-o-Fonoti is Samamea
.
The small settlement of Uafato
is part of the Uafato Conservation Area, a project started by the villagers in the early 1990s, to protect their environment from logging. The area has gained a reputation in the last decade for woodcarving and traditional arts and crafts in Samoa.
The paramount title of the district is Talamaivao.
Districts of Samoa
Samoa is made up of eleven itūmālō . These are the traditional eleven districts that were established well before European arrival...
on the north east coast of Upolu
Upolu
Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long, in area, and is the second largest in geographic area as well as the most populated of the Samoan Islands. Upolu is situated to the east of...
Island in 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...
, with a population (2001 Census) of 1,666, making it the least populated district in the country.
The district is 38 km² and consists of a main area around Fagaloa Bay
Fagaloa Bay
Fagaloa Bay is located on the north eastern coast of Upolu island in Samoa. The area is a significant region of conservation and culture. The bay is situated within the political district of Va'a-o-Fonoti....
with nine villages and a small coastal exclave about 10 km further northwest, with the village of Faleāpuna (pop. 582). The district includes areas with significant conservation and cultural values. Va'a-o-Fonoti geographical boundaries are surrounded by the larger district of Atua
Atua (district)
Atua is the most ancient district of Samoa, now consisting of most of the eastern half of Upolu but also traditionally incorporates Tutuila and once all of Upolu and Savaii. The head of the district is the village of Lufilufi, in the western most part of Atua...
. The capital of Va'a-o-Fonoti is Samamea
Samamea
Samamea is a village on the north east coast of Upolu island in Samoa. It is the main village or 'capital' of the political district Va'a-o-Fonoti....
.
The small settlement of Uafato
Uafato
Uafato is a village on the north east coast of Upolu island in Samoa with national and global significance as a unique cultural and conservation area....
is part of the Uafato Conservation Area, a project started by the villagers in the early 1990s, to protect their environment from logging. The area has gained a reputation in the last decade for woodcarving and traditional arts and crafts in Samoa.
Historical
Va'a-o-Fonoti was named within the district of Atua and established in the 16th century when, Fonoti - the victorious claimant to the Junior TuiAtua title - Tui Atua Faasavali rewarded the people of this part of Atua for their bravery in that war. The district name literally means "The longboat of Fonoti", denoting the bravery of the naval crews from this area during this war. Later Tui Atua Faasavali lived in different parts of the back and tail of Atua.The paramount title of the district is Talamaivao.