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Tamafaigā — shaman, king or maniac? The Emergence of Manono ∗

1995; Routledge; Volume: 30; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/00223349508572780

1469-9605

Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese,

Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies

Abstract Tamafaigā was the dominant political figure in 19th century Samoa. He and his régime represented change. The Manono/Tonumaipe'a Mālō was wrested from the Tumua centres. The paper attempts to identify the traditional and cultural reference points of Manono political motivation: firstly, by examining its inheritance; secondly by showing how Manono exploited this and its strategic position in the sea lanes between Upolu and Savai'i to forge a role that was important and sometimes conclusive in Samoan history. The Salamasina reign defines the parameters of politics and power in modem Samoa; therefore the analysis of Manono's power begins with the Salamasina reign. The Manono régime tried to retain the Tamafaigā legacy through regular reassertion of arms; the Malietoa party and the missionary lobby tried to wean away the Mālō on the grounds that they were more worthy inheritors of the Tamafaigā mantle; the ancien regime represented by Leulumoega and Lufīlufī stubbornly claimed custody of the Salamasina inheritance. The paper attempts to analyse critically political propaganda and posturing while retaining a focus on the human dimension.