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Overview
This is a very precious 'ie tōga (cloth for tōga) from Samoa. It has the title 'Le lau ta'amu tafea a le Malietoa'.
The 'ie tōga are the highest-ranking item in the Samoan exchange system and greatly valued. For example, in Samoan marriage ceremonies, 'ie tōga are presented to the husband's family by the bride's family, and are viewed in much the same way as dowry property. They are also sometimes presented by the offending party in a ceremonial apology known as an ifoga.
Some 'ie tōga are exchanged many times and pass through several generations, gaining value as their age and associations accumulate. They can be named, and the most important 'ie tōga can have a series of names. The presence of a particularly old and fine 'ie tōga brings great dignity to a ceremony or an event. Some 'ie tōga can have such significance that they can symbolise the state or nation.
Significance
The origins of the title 'Le lau ta'amu tafea a le Malietoa' are as follows: "Tui Manu'a journeyed to Upolu and was recieved by Malietoa with much generousity and hospitality. Tui Manua in reciprocity invited Malietoa to Manu'a. On their arrival to Manu'a a kava ceremony was arranged to welcome Malietoa. Rather than hosting a kava ceremony on land, the Tui Manu'a decided that the ceremony would take place on the ocean.
All the elements for conducting the kava ceremony were prepared by the hosts and taken to the ocean location. The hosts suddenly discovered that the vessel that holds the sacred kava had been left on land. The Tui Manua was concerned to carry out the kava ceremony. A giant leaf from the Ta'amu plant (largest taro species) was brought to him by the sea and the kava ceremony was able to continue. Hence the title 'Lau Ta'amu Tafea' one of the measina of the Malietoa."(1)
According to Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese, "In Samoan culture, an ie toga is a messenger and a message. It is supposed to have a life. Thus in culture and custom, when a girl is born, the principal imperative in that situation is to weave an ie faatupu which is supposed to be the fine mat for her wedding. After the wedding, the fine mat begins a history where it travels to several high occasions, funerals, installations, the opening of fale tele (maota) or churches. And the family keeps a record of the fine mat's movements.
In an earlier time, I can remember how people kept tabs on where the Tasi ae Afe was or where the Ageagea o Tumua was. In the current environment, sadly I have to admit that keeping tabs on the historical fine mats is no longer viable. The fine mat by its origin and travels reflects genealogy, history and culture. I cannot comment on the history of this fine mat beyond what happened when the British High Commissioner to New Zealand and Samoa,
His Excellency George Ferguson, passed on the mat to me in 2009, saying that the mat was presented by HH Malietoa Tanumafili II to his father Sir Bernard Ferguson when he visited Samoa as Governor General of New Zealand in 1962. In Samoan culture in this instance, the history of this mat represents and reflects the personal and historical rapport between Samoa, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
For me, when I accepted the fine mat from the British High Commissioner, the fine mat was a messenger with a message. The message was: we pass on this fine mat on the assumption that you will do justice to the history and genealogy of the fine mat. Additionally in Samoan custom and usage, when Sa Malietoa and Sa Tupua meet, they recite to each other the mantra, e le mala 'ese Sa Malietoa, mala 'ese Sa Tupua; meaning that the history, custom and usage of the two families are so intertwined by genealogy that their welfare and interest are one and inseparable. I believe that I give substance and meaning to the mantra cited above by presenting this fine mat for display by Te Papa Museum."
Acquisition History
This 'ie toga was offered to Te Papa in 2019 by Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi.
Reference
Tamasese Efi, Tui Atua Tupua (2020) The origins of the title Le lau ta'amu tafea a le Malietoa.(digital brochure)