Samoa
Samoa Farewells Malietoa
A View From The Funeral
If ever there was a day in Samoa when little or nothing needs to be said, it is today, said Samoa’s Prime Minister at the state funeral of
That phrase captured the mood of the day as people made their way to the state funeral by foot or car hours before the service began.
It captured the atmosphere in Tiafau on Parliament Grounds, when thousands of Samoan families and schoolchildren waited alongside international government dignitaries—mostly in contemplative silence—many arriving hours before the service began.
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| Mourners make their way to the grounds of Parliament for the state funeral. PHOTO: Vienna Richards |
It captured the mood of the police guards, chiefs, the orators and the young men standing silently lining the streets around Parliament, the perimeters of Parliament Grounds and the road leading all the way to His Highness’ final resting place.
Delivering the eulogy on behalf of the government of Samoa, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the people of
“God knows, our hearts are full to capacity with heavy emotion”, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said.
“You have borne our grief in quiet dignity.”
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| His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II's final journey. PHOTO: VIENNA RICHARDS |
In death, the Head of State, perhaps one of the most humble and gracious among men, was accorded every ancient chiefly ritual and honor reserved only for its paramount chiefs in the week leading up to the state funeral.
Dignitaries representing governments and people from the region – including
Royal families included The King of Tonga George Tupou IV and the Princess Regent and the Maori King Tuheitia.
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| Tonga's Monarch, King George Tupou IV. PHOTO: VIENNA RICHARDS |
At 9.30am, Malietoa’s coffin was carried silently out of Parliament by police guards who had kept a 24 hour vigil. Leading was Sailele, the personal aide to Malietoa. Behind the police guards walked the Prime Minister of Samoa and the Deputy Speaker of the House, their heads hung in mourning.
His Highness’ coffin was housed in a ceremonial Samoan fale with thatched palm leaves and tapa covering the roof. The fale’s posts were decorated with teuila, the national flower of Samoa, and ti leaves, a medicinal healing plant. Staff from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community and Social Development had worked into the early morning to finish it on time.
On the grounds around the dias, chiefs and orators stood motionless in their traditional attire against the backdrop of Parliament and a 300 strong choir of Samoan teachers.
Malietoa’s son, Faamausili Moli Malietoa, delivered a eulogy on behalf of the family. Of his father’s depth of love for
"By example, he lived his life firmly believing in the integrity and the creativity of the Samoan people.”
"Malietoa had a great deal of natural charm and grace, and in his own humble way, he instilled harmony, security and joy in those that he knew.”
In a land where there are many chiefs and families of royal blood, and whom countries such as New Zealand, Britain, Germany had fought over in colonial times and under whom the people had suffered, Malietoa was a man who put the knife back into the sheath.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa said Malietoa was the inspiration and personification of Samoan unity and stability.
“It is difficult to imagine
At the end of the service, his coffin, draped in the flag of
