Fans Pay Tribute To Penina O Le Tiafau Legend Malia Savea
Alapati and Malia Savea.
Photo: Toma Savea/Facebook
Samoans are paying tribute to the late Malia Savea of the Penina O Le Tiafau band who passed away last weekend in Hawai’i.
Her passing was made public in a Facebook post published by her son Toma Savea.
“This morning my mom was called back home to be reunited with my dad. We miss you here physically mom but we know you are so happy and at peace now,” her son wrote.
“Thank you for all your teachings and love. Rest in peace…until we meet again.”
Her passing was announced on Sunday (Samoa Time) when the country was in full celebratory mode after the Toa Samoa’s historic 27-26 win of the over England in the Rugby League World Cup (R.L.W.C.) semi-final.
Mrs. Savea and her husband the late Alapati Savea were the Penina O Le Tiafau band, well renowned for their smooth, soothing Samoan music that celebrates love, especially Alapati’s love for his wife Malia and their love for the people and Samoa.
From the food, to their villages, to cricket games to romance and the hardships of poverty, they are all captured in the music of Penina O Le Tiafau. They even sang about government.
In one of their songs, Malia and Alapati sing: “Samoa, remember, you are the pearl of the Pacific.”
The couple was affectionately known by their listeners simply as “Malia ma Alapati.”
At one point, Malia’s younger sister Poufa Vitale Noga joined Penina O Le Tiafau.
Some of the band’s biggest hits that continue to be covered by Samoan singers of this generation include: Tele I’a o Le Sami, Nofo i Salafai, O’u Mafaufauga, Valovalo Mai Manu o le Vaveao, Sapasui, Taualaga O Solomona and Sina I’a.
In 2021, their son Toma explained the meaning behind the song Sina I’a, written by his father Alapati.
“A lot of you folks are asking about my dad’s song Sina I’a and the meaning. My dad wrote this song and it was sung by my mom’s younger sister Poufa Noga. This song was about the food back home,” he said.
“When our people prepared food, or meals especially for our parents – it is the fish that makes a meal complete or sina i’a e teuteua le mea atoa.”
Son Toma said “every song my dad wrote has a meaning.”
“The majority of the songs are about the love he has for my mom and his love for his people of Samoa. Much love… very much grateful for all the support throughout the years for my parents: Penina O Le Tiafau.”
Marion Marlena, publisher of the popular Facebook community American Samoa: Through the Years page said that “no one writes songs like” Malia and Alapati, the “legendary musical pioneers” of Samoa.
“The enchanting melodies and pounding drums infused with Alapati's velvety sultry voice, nothing soothes the mind these crazy times then a glass of wine and the sounds of Penina o le Tiafau. Over 60 years of songs... I can only imagine the many tears shed, the happy moments celebrated, the marriages made and the babies conceived from their music. Our legendary musical pioneers,” the statement reads.
Family and fans of Malia and Alapati are expressing their sympathies and love to the family on Facebook.
“Rest in love Aunty Malia. Your parents left behind a great legacy. They will never be forgotten especially for the music…they have touched many lives. I pray God’s perfect peace to comfort you and the family,” one supporter wrote in a comment for Toma.
EyeSpy was unsuccessful in gathering a comment from the Savea and Vitale families.
“I can’t believe you left,” son Toma wrote. “It’s so hard to accept! I love you Mom.”