Talofa e ia Ti’afau: Respected Senior Orator wails for loss of respect at Tiafau

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 30 May 2026 – Gagaifomauga was the last district to make its traditional presentations in a Ta’alolo, for the opening of the Legislative Assembly Office Complex.

In a yearning and haunting tone, the respected Orator Lavea Natoe repeated the words “Talofa e ia Tiafau,” – Pity the revered grounds of Tiafau.

The Malae and traditional grounds of Tiafau is where the Samoan Parliament is located and was chosen as the very grounds Samoan forefathers deliberated for years and founded the Independent State of Samoa and its Constitution as the guiding document.

“It was a place as where tears were shed and words broke through the ground,” said Lavea Natoe, as a weary audience of dignitaries including the Head of State, Prime Minister and Cabinet, and a delegation from American Samoa had been in attendance since 0800 in the morning.

“Talofa e ia Ti’afau,” as he reminisced about “the perseverance of the ancestors who fought for Samoa’s independence in order to established a good government.”

Huge finemats – ietoga that needed ten strong men to carry were typical of the mats presented during the ceremony.

He reminisced about the forefathers taking to the forest, could not sleep or eat properly as they lived in darkness as they tried to evade the colonial masters, as they sought for a free and independent country.

Then he wailed for the eroding standards of respect and language used by parliament.

“While education degrees and master’s qualifications are important, the most vital thing is respecting the sacred human relationship and traditions that bind us,” Lavea stated.

And he referred to what he called the eroding respect in the language of Parliament and quoted the Samoan proverbs of elegance swept by the tide of time: “Ua tafea pulu i vai,” and “Ua solo le falute.”

Then challenged Parliamentarians – “Is this what we voted you for?” and asked, “When is it you are going to put this to a stop?”

The Sagaga-le-Usoga orators deliberating over who to speak on their behalf and present their Taalolo.

Referring to defamatory posts on social media, he said such had hurt the church leaders, government leaders and he does not care if people will criticize him but he wanted to make his point that this needs to stop.

He referred to what he said are very poor examples set by parliamentarians for future and aspiring leaders who want to become Members of Parliament.

Representing the Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt’s district of Gagifomauga, Lavea said.

“When the Prime Minister sheds a tear, the district cries. When what people say inflicted wounds on the Prime Minister, our bodies and spirits are wounded too,” he said.

Lavea emphasized the historical significance of the occasion where the traditional leaders and orators of Samoa have come together at Tiafau, symbolizing unity among Samoa’s people, including a delegation from American Samoa.

Gagaifomauga concluded their presentation of huge fine mats and money with their Taualuga performed by the Prime Minister’s daughter, Fuimaono Dora.

The Ta’alolo ceremony was a vibrant display of cultural representation and pride, performed by the eleven traditional constituencies of Samoa, with a Taalolo from Tutuila and Manu’a. The ceremony continued a living culture of sharing and respect as Samoa celebrates 64 years of independence on the theme: Samoa in Unity for a New Beginning.

Two Parliament office complexes will be officially opened on Monday by the Governor General of Australia that funded the complex at a cost of $27m tala.

The complex includes a Members Lounge named after the first Speaker of Samoa’s first Parliament, Luafatasaga Kalapu when the country became independent in 1962.

Twelve constituencies that made Taalolo presentations:

1. Sagaga le Usoga
2. Amerika Samoa
3. Tuisamau
4. Lufilufi
5. Saleaula
6. Safotulafai
7. Palauli
8. Mati’amātiaituau
9. Satupaitea
10. Leulumoega
11. Va’a o Fonoti,
12. Aiga i le Tai
13. Gagaifomauga