Malietoa Tanumafili II GCMG CBE (4 January 1913 – 11 May 2007) was a Samoan paramount chief who was O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) of Samoa from its independence in 1962 until his death in 2007. He was appointed to the high title of Malietoa in 1940.
His Highness Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II | |
---|---|
![]() Tanumafili in 1962 | |
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 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi |
Malietoa | |
Tenure 7 January 1940 – 11 May 2007 | |
Preceded by | Malietoa Tanumafili I |
Succeeded by | Malietoa Faʻamausili 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 Momoe Lupeuluiva Meleisea |
When the state of Western Samoa was founded in 1962, he became joint head of state with Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole, who died on 15 April 1963, after which he remained the office's sole occupant until his own death.[1][2]
Early life
editTanumafili was born on 4 January 1913 as the son and third child of his parents, Malietoa Tanumafili I and Momoe Lupeuluiva Meleisea.[3] He inherited the royal title of Malietoa in 1940, following the 1939 death of his father, Malietoa Tanumafili I,[4] though some media reports claim that he received the title of Malietoa in 1939. The Malietoa is one of the four tama-a-ʻaiga (maximal lineage) titles, alongside the Tupua Tamasese, Mataʻafa and Tuimalealiʻifano.[5]
He 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.[6]
Public career
editSoon after becoming Malietoa, he was appointed to serve as a special adviser (Fautua) to the New Zealand administration over Samoa.[4][7]
Upon Samoa's independence in 1962, Malietoa Tanumafili II and Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole became O Ao o le Malo (heads of state), jointly appointed for a lifetime term. Tanumafili and Meaʻole would serve jointly for just sixteen months. When Meaʻole died in 1963, Tanumafili became the sole head of state. He is often credited for providing much of the stability that Samoa has enjoyed post independence.[1]
He became a follower of the Baháʼí Faith in 1973. He was the first serving head of state to be a member of the religion.[8][9] In 1976, he visited the graveside of Shoghi Effendi, first and last Guardian of the Baháʼí Administrative Order, in London.[10] In 1979 he laid the foundational cornerstone of the Baháʼí House of Worship in Tiapapata, eight kilometres from the capital of Apia.[11] The temple was subsequently dedicated by him at completion in 1984.[12]
Malietoa travelled extensively during his tenure as O le Ao o le Malo. He travelled to the People's Republic of China for an official state visit in September 1976.[13] He also visited Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Tonga, Nauru and West Germany. He was among the foreign dignitaries who attended the funeral of Japanese Emperor Shōwa in 1989.[6][14]
On 9 August 2004, he bestowed the chiefly Seiuli title upon professional wrestler and actor Dwayne Johnson, when the latter visited Samoa with his mother Ata Maivia.[15][16]
Death
editMalietoa died at the age of 94 on 11 May 2007, at the Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole National Hospital in Apia, where he was being treated as a patient for pneumonia.[17] He was the oldest incumbent state leader at the time of his death.[18] He was buried on 18 May.[19]
He was succeeded as head of state by Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi in June 2007, and as Malietoa by his eldest surviving son, Papaliʻitele Faʻamausili Molī, in 2018.[20][21]
Honours
editElizabeth II visited Samoa for a single day in 1977 as part of her visit to the South Pacific on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. While in Samoa, she presented Malietoa with the Collar Badge and Star of a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George.[22] Also bestowed on him was the title of Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire during his life.
Personal life
editMalietoa 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 nineties. He could often be seen driving his golf cart around Samoa.[1]
His wife, Lili Tunu, whom he married in 1940, died in 1986.[23][24] Tanumafili had eleven children during his life; one child died in infancy. The remaining ten were sons Papalii Laupepa (died 1985), Papaliitele Eti (died 2005), Suʻa Vainuupo, Afioga Malietoa Papaliʻitele Faamausili Molī (the current holder of the Malietoa title), Papaliʻitele Titiuatoa, Papaliʻitele Ioane, Papaliʻitele Douglas and daughters Seiuli Tutai, Lola Tosi (mother-in-law of Tongan prince Lord Ma'atu) and Papaliʻi Momoe Von Reiche. Two sons and two daughters remained surviving at the time of his death.[14][25][26]
References
edit- ^ 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
- ^ "Genealogy". Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- ^ a b "Photos: Samoans farewell their king and 'father'". The New Zealand Herald. 20 May 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
- ^ Western Samoa. Land and Titles Court. (1949–1990). Documents relating to Tamaʻaiga titles disputes, Tuimalealiʻifano title. OCLC 39644002.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ Otto, Michael (22 May 2007). "Samoa's solemn farewell". Manukau Courier. Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "THE FIRST VISIT BY A Bahá'í REIGNING MONARCH TO THE RESTING PLACE OF SHOGHI EFFENDI". The Baháʼí World. 17: 69. 1976.
- ^ "His Highness lays stone". Samoa Observer. 1 February 1979. 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.
- ^ Martin, Peter (20 May 2021). China's Civilian Army: The Inside Story of China's Quest for Global Power. New York: Oxford Academic. p. 127. doi:10.1093/oso/9780197513705.003.0008.
- ^ a b "Government of Samoa - Official Website". Archived from the original on 20 May 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2007. Profile
- ^ "Samoa gives chiefly title to actor Dwayne Johnson". RNZ. 11 August 2004. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Now it's Seiuli The Rock". Samoa Observer. 10 August 2004. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Samoa's king, one of world's longest reigning monarchs, dies". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 12 May 2007. Retrieved 13 May 2007.
- ^ "Thousands farewell Samoan leader". ABC News. 18 May 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ "Court rules in favour of Fa'amausili Moli as the next Malietoa". Samoa Observer. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Malietoa title bestowed at Malie". Samoa Observer. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "Samoa King Dies". Herald Sun. Associated Press. 13 May 2007. Retrieved 13 May 2007.
- ^ "King Malietoa Tanumafili II of Samoa dead at 94". The Honolulu Advertiser. 12 May 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "Samoans farewell their king and "father"". Reuters. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "Samoan king dies at the age of 94". The 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.