New Faumuinā Title Holder Eager for Family to Move Forward

Afioga ile Tupufia Faumuinā Opapo Oeti recieves his ava.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 25 MARCH 2021: After 14 years, the descendants of the Aiga Sa Faumuinā of Lepea came together to support and bless the bestowing of the title Faumuinā upon Opopa Soana’i Oeti in a prestigious traditional ceremony today.

Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Faumuinā said he is relieved that the matter has been resolved amicably and he wanted to see the Faumuinā family move forward.

The ceremony started with the church service presided by four church ministers who blessed the new title holder.
Reverend Elder Misi Palauni Fui of the CCCS Faleata district urged Opapo to serve with love, justice and kindness.

The new Faumuina title holder blessed by church ministers.

“Sea se mea e finagalo ai le Alii ia te oe, ia fai ma le amiotonu, naunau i le alofa, ma ia feoai ma lou Atua ma le loto fa’amaulalo,” said Reverend Palauni.

After the church service, then La’auli ma le aumaga a Faleata district then carried Opapo from across the road towards the malae where the traditional bestowal took place.

Afioga ile Tupufia Faumuina Opapo Oeti is carried by La’auli ma le Aumaga of Faleata.

After a long consultation between the Faleata districts’ orators, the honours went to senior orator Ulu Kini Ulu of Toamua in blessing the new holder.

Bestowment of the papa.

This was followed by the bestowing of the honours of the title – papā  upon Opapo by representatives of Alataua (Safata) Aana (Falelatai) and Tuamasaga before the ava ceremony.

In accepting his ava, the newly appointed Faumuinā acknowledged the love of God, family, village and district.

The other hierarchy title holders that partook in drinking the ava were the Tamaalefale Matai’a Lynn Netzler, Toleafoa who was represented by Palusalue Faapo 11, and Ale Vena Ale.

The ceremony ended with traditional presentations of gifts that were reciprocated by the new Faumuinā’s family.