SAMOAN CHIEF WITH 99 WIVES
Channel: Them Savaii Boys
Date: 2024-03-08

📍 Manono-Tai, Samoa 🇼🇸

Tamafaiga of Manono, a dominant chief in early 19th-century Samoa, proclaimed himself the “Tupu o Salafai” or King of Salafai. He ascended to power by defeating Mata’afa around 1827-1828, ruling with tyranny and even being worshipped as a deity. His oppressive rule came to a gruesome end when he tried to take a high chief’s daughter as his hundredth wife, leading the people of Fasito’o Uta to kill him. In response, Malietoa, another prominent chief, took control and punished the A’ana region.

His grave site, has 99 stones representing his 99 wives - also referred to as Pa le soo meaning an unfinished stonewall. This is due to not getting his 100th wife to complete his quest so the stonewall remains disconnected.

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