Malietoa Tanumafili II Founding Role Highlighted In New Documentary
Joint Heads of State of Western Samoa His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II and His Highness Tupua Tamasese Meaole, 1 January, 1962, Malae o Tiafau in Mulinuu. Photo: Wikimedia
The historic role played by the late, beloved Head of State of Samoa His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II in founding an independent Samoa is re-visited in a new documentary produced by the Government of Samoa.
The documentary was compiled by the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet (M.P.M.C.) and the government-owned Savali Newspaper.
The Samoan language video takes viewers back to 1 January, 1962 when His Highness the late Tupua Tamasese Meaole held the Head of State of Western Samoa role jointly with His Highness Malietoa.
Together, the Heads of State hoisted the National Flag of Samoa during its inaugural flag-raising ceremony held at Malae o Tiafau in Mulinuu.
The educational video, released at the start of the New Year on Monday, 2 January, 2023, two days before His Highness Malietoa’s 110th birthday, commemorates the 60th anniversary of Samoan sovereignty.
His Highness Malietoa was born on 4 January, 2013. He died from a heart attack on 11 May, 2007 at the age of 94 at the national hospital.
His Highness Malietoa was the eldest son and third child of Malietoa Tanumafili I and Momoe Lupeuluiva Meleisea and a devoted member of the Bahá’í faith.
He was co-head of state in 1962 and became the sole head of state on 15 April 1963 upon the death of his co-regent, according to Wikipedia.
At the time of Malietoa’s death, he was the oldest national leader in the world, and was also the last incumbent president-for-life in the world.
His Highness Malietoa was also the first head of state to be a follower of the Bahá’í Faith.
World leaders including Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II, former President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jingtao and former U.S. President the late George W. Bush sent messages of condolences to the people of Samoa on the passing of Head of State Malietoa, according to the Bahá’í Chronicles.
In the past, the birthday of His Highness Malietoa was observed as a national public holiday.
It is no longer a public holiday.
As for the video documentary released ahead of His Highness Malietoa’s 110th birthday, the narrator states: “When we look to the past, we can see the difficulty faced by our founding fathers who fought to free Samoa from colonial control.”
The video is titled “O le Uluai Taeao o Sa’olotoga.”
It is available for viewing on YouTube.