The Editor-in-Chief of the Samoa Observer, Savea Sano Malifa, was bestowed the Gatoaitele title in a traditional ceremony held at the Malae o Tanumafili in Afega.
The event marked a milestone beginning in the history of the Gatoaitele title; this is the first time it has been bestowed and with it comes important responsibilities.
The bestowal ceremony started with a church service officiated by Revered Luapene Nepo, of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Afega, with the parish ministers of the Methodist Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Catholic Church, taking active roles in it.
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They gave their blessing and wished Savea well in his new role as the holder of the Gatoaitele title.
Reverend Tupu Selu of the Methodist Church said. “You have been chosen by God to lead the village.”
“May God bless you with the qualities to enable the growth of the village and for the good of the village.”
Reminding that the division in Afega is no longer a secret, he said: “The country is watching.”
“When the one side is questioned, they say the other side is bad since they’ve made harsh decisions.”
“That is the same with the other side.
“I want to just remind you that you are not, I am not, and we are not the judge; God is the judge who has chosen you today. You are chosen to lead the village.”
Reverend Selu spoke about how Moses came to believe in God’s miracles; they were wondrous and unbelievable even when he gave us his son Jesus Christ.
Reminding that when Jesus ascended to heaven he his final words were “be harmonious,” he said his hope was that Savea, now that he is being bestowed the Gatoaitele title, would ensure there is peace and harmony in the village.
When Rev. Luapene spoke about when Savea came to inform him about his family’s
agreement to confer on him the Gatoitele title, he asked if this was something that should be done at a time when the village was divided.
Savea’s response, Rev. Reupene said, was that he felt this was the right time.
In his address at the bestowal ceremony, Rev. Luapene said: “We do not have a complete understanding of God’s plans.”
“But our general belief is that the difficult challenges that our minds cannot understand sometimes, God can, and He can overcome them.”
Following the prayer ceremony the village started the official title bestowment.
Before taking a sip of his ava, Gatoaitele prayed to God for his blessings to unite his village.
He prayed for a reconciliation to take place and for harmony and love for Samoa so that peace will continue to reign and its people to be in peace.
Fata Simone, who spoke on behalf of Afega, gave his blessings to Gatoaitele. He told him not to give up and to pray to the Lord for a long life.
“May God bless Samoa,” he said.
The family of the Samoa Observer publisher, Muliagatele Jean Malifa, provided the traditional attire worn by Gatotaitele on this speacial day.
The tradditional ceremony was well attended and merry.
There was laughter, peace and happiness as though all was well in the village.
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