WORLD RUGBY CHAIRMAN BESTOW MATAI TITLE
Tootoomua chiefly title bestowed on World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont.
Photo: Lakapi Samoa
The World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont during his first visit in
Samoa in an invitation by the Chairman of Lakapi Samoa Tuilaepa Dr
Sailele Malielegaoi , he was bestowed the chiefly title of Tootootumua
in an ava ceremony at the constituency of Lepa in Upolu this week.
The ceremony was attended by all three villages of the district from
high chiefs , mothers and children and delegates who traveled
together with Mr. Bill Beaumont. Others who also were present during
the ceremony were Judge Auelua Apoiliu of the Land and Titles Court ,
Tuilaepa Eti of the Samoa Housing Corporation Chairman and Dr Toloa
Enosa of the Private Medical Practitioner Lolofietele and a manifold
of guests.
The President of the Samoa Rugby Union Namulauulu Sami Leota gave a
speech of gratitude towards the district of Lepa and on behalf of the
Lakapi Samoa and the World Rugby Chairman for composing this ceremony
with such high respect and honour. The district gifted Tootootumua a
monetary gift of $10,000.00 Samoan Tala during their gift
presentation.
Auelua Samuelu Enari spoke on behalf of the district of Lepa formally
bestowing the Tootootumua title to Sir Bill Beaumont. Lepa also
presented Tootootumua Sir Bill with traditional gifts of a siapo, a
tootoo and a fue.In Auelua speech he informed Tootootumua Bill
Beaumont that the fue presented to him will give him the power to
speak and the staff symbolises the authority to speak which has been
bestowed upon him
The new Lepa high chief was also presented with a certificate as a
gift by the village for him. The certificate was an official document
by the Ministry of Justice , properly and officially granting Bill
Beaumont the Tootootumua title.
Auelua also mentioned the grounds surrounding them at the Lepa
District School . He stated, “this is the school where Manu Samoa’s
famous 1991 Captain, the late Peter Fatialofa, attended.”