The holder of the one of the Tama Aiga titles, Mata’afa, has been called home.
Tui Atua Mata’afa Tupuola Lui passed away at the Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Hospital on Sunday.
He was 84.
When the Samoa Observer visited Amaile yesterday, his family and the village were in full swing, preparing for his farewell this weekend.
Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Mata’afa’s daughter, Peta Mata’afa Lui, said her father went peacefully.
“We are still very much in a state of shock and we are very sad about him leaving us,” she said. “We will miss him very much.”
Peta said her father’s insistence for his children, grand children and great grand children to be educated will never be forgotten.
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“My father was a good man,” said Peta. “He worked extremely hard to support his children and family. “If there is one thing I will always remember about him is his encouragement and support so we can be educated.”
A builder by trade, Peta said Mata’afa Lui worked tirelessly to ensure their school fees were paid. She spoke about a man who loved his extended family, the village and everyone he came into contact with.
“My father was a carpenter and he built many churches and private homes,” she said.
“He served his family in many ways and at the same time was a father that worked to support his children.”
Mata’afa’s death comes a month short of his 85th birthday. He is survived by his wife, Amelia Mata’afa Tupuola Lui, children and grand children.
Mata’afa is one of royal family titles, referred to as the Tama Aiga, in Samoa. The holders of the other titles are the Head of State, His Highness Tui
Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Member of the Council of Deputies, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II while the Malietoa title, once occupied by the late
Malietoa Tanumafili II, remains vacant.
The title Mata’afa was bestowed upon Tupuola Lui on the 28th of May 2011 at Amaile.
The Tupuola title on the other hand was conferred on him in 1983. His family service will be held at Amaile, Aleipata before his body will be brought back to Mulinu’u where he will be laid to rest.
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