New Novel Celebrates Samoa Women’s Fight for Independence

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 29 July 2026 – A new novel, “Tattooing Sina: The Battle to Save Samoa’s Treasure Island” launched at the National University of Samoa tells the inspiring story of the Samoa women’s resistance movement known as the Mau.

The author, Moneka Tupua Knight explained that her story was inspired by oral histories shared by her late father-in-law, Fuimaono Na’ola Fereti Tupua.

She said the novel had been living in her heart and mind for more than 24 years before she finally finished writing it in just six months.

She described her book as a love letter to her two Samoan daughters.

“I want my daughters Maddi Fa’alemigao and Sulu Fa’asulualetoelau Tupua, to have a strong cultural identity as Samoan women.” she said

Moneka said her daughter’s ancestor, Tupua Tamasese Lealofi was a paramount chief who led the Mau Movement from early 1928, until his assassinations by New- Zealand police in 1929.

She explained that she starts her story with his assassination to draw readers into the tragedy of that moment.

The author pictured with her mother and NUS Pro Chancellor, Professor Tuimanu’asina Emma Vaai and Professor Silafau Sina Vaai with copies of her novel.

The book also highlights the important role women played in Samoa’s fight for independence.

She writes about female warriors and women of the Mau movement who helped Samoa achieve independence.

In her novel, Moneka writes from the perspectives of two women: Fanny and Sina.

Fanny Robert Louis was the wife of author Robert Louis Stevenson, a strong figure in Samoa who fought against colonial interference.

Moneka says that telling Fanny’s story challenges colonial histories of Samoa.

It also sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of women in history.

Sina, another character in the book, is fictional but based on real stories.

Moneka explains that the character of Sina connects the time of Fanny Stevenson to the women of the Mau movement.

Moneka Tupua Knight is a former journalist who helped establish and taught te media and journalism program at the National University of Samoa.

She now teaches in Tasmania.

She said that the novel serves as a reminder of how much women have contributed to Samoa’s history and independence, especially about the strength and resilience of its women.