While a Samoan matai does not wield the kind of supreme authority you might expect of royalty in other cultures, our fa’amatai – our system of government, our network of chiefs – is still fundamental to the Samoan way of life.
For this reason, the bestowing of a matai title should not be taken lightly – not by the new matai, nor by his or her family. Each matai’s understanding of family and village politics, his or her diligence and personal integrity has a direct influence on how our Samoan culture will evolve. That kind of responsibility is dangerous in the hands of anyone who is not agava’a – worthy.
If you happen to find yourself on the receiving end of a matai title, first… congratulations! And second… are you sure you’re the right person for the job?
This post will help you to figure that out.
Why It Matters
So, I’ve been thinking a lot about the role of the Samoan matai, especially in today’s world where so many of us live outside of Samoa, and where – even in Samoa – our connection to the ‘Samoan way of life’ is weakening.
Years ago, I had to speak Samoan in Samoa or else I couldn’t communicate with most people there. Today, it’s hard to find anyone in Apia who doesn’t immediately switch to English (they’re brainy like that) as soon as they hear the ‘English’ in my Samoan.
Like our language skills, our traditions are evolving, too.
- Our dress and behavioural standards are a lot more western these days.
- Our family functions and ritual gift-giving ceremonies have become a lot more elaborate – and a lot more expensive.
- Where we once were known for our self-reliant, agricultural lifestyle, almost 20% of Samoa’s GDP these days relies on the money sent in from family overseas (remittances).
Of course I understand that so many factors contribute to the changes in every culture, but Samoans have a built-in, formalized system that governs the activities of extended families and thus the affairs of villages and districts. If Samoans are to hang on to the traditions that make us unique, it will be with the firm guidance of our fa’amatai.
The Right Reasons
It has taken well over a decade and dozens of blog posts for me to learn what I know now about the Samoan culture, and I still feel like this journey is just beginning. But this journey has also brought me so much pride and such a strong sense of identity.
For a long while, I’ve been toying with the idea of showing my appreciation for my culture by petitioning for a matai title of my own. This blog series on the matai is actually part of my research into that line of thinking…
But it has involved a lot of research and observation, and a lot of evaluation of my own lifestyle and attitudes towards family and village affairs. Eventually, I had to finally admit to myself that I’m not cut out to be a matai. For a number of reasons, it’s not a role that I could wholeheartedly commit to.
Not yet, anyway.
If you’re thinking about becoming a matai, please consider what it would really mean to you.
Let’s think About It
Before we get into this evaluation checklist, let me be clear: You can do what you want. Of course.
I’m not trying to be the boss of you.
It’s just that I’ve observed so many people – especially young folks – accept a matai role without understanding the responsibilities it comes with, so when they don’t perform the way the extended family expects (which is not their fault), people will say unkind things about them or treat them in a way that is not fair.
I’ve also seen people become matai mostly for what they assume will be lots of honour and prestige… and why not, right?
But then they get confused and disappointed when they realize that being a matai also involves a lot of sacrifice, and learning your place amongst other matai, and sometimes participating in a lot of conflict, too.
All I’m trying to do here is help manage your expectations and give you a realistic outline of the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a matai.
Okay… let’s do this.
Please DO NOT become a matai if…
…you’re just after land to build your house on in Samoa
Matai (especially high ranking) have more of a say over family land, but it’s still not your own personal land.
…you want it so you can get a pe’a tattoo
You don’t need to be a matai to get traditional ink. Soga’imiti are untitled men who have their pe’a.
…your side of the extended family is only trying to collect as many titles as possible so they have the political advantage over all the other sides of the family
Well, nothing I say is going to stop this happening, so whatever lol. But if you’re aware this is happening, you can make a more informed decision about your involvement in family politics.
…you don’t even know the name of the village your matai title comes from
Sadly, I’ve met a few, usually young-ish matai like this. Matai titles belong to families and families belong to villages. If you don’t know where your title (or your family) comes from, who are you going to help govern?
…you’re only doing it for the trip to Samoa and the party
Okay, I can’t really be mad at this one lol.
…you have no intention of supporting the extended family physically (by at least participating in matai meetings) and financially
Seriously though… Your title is just a name if you don’t do anything with it.
On the other hand…
Please DO become a matai if…
…you want to help make decisions that positively affect your extended family
We need smart, wise and bold leaders to speak up for us in those matai meetings.
…you’re willing to pitch in time, effort and money to help the family accomplish goals
Remember, these goals will be worthwhile because YOU helped to choose them when you counselled with the other matai.
…you’re always thinking about the needs of your family members
From your aging elders to the newest babies in your family, your life is about caring for and protecting the members of your family.
…you’ve got a keen sense for politics and you know (or want to learn) how to gain power and influence people
Your increase in power and influence is a good thing for your whole family, as long as you gain it wisely and for the right reasons.
…you have a deep love for your culture, and you know the difference between true fa’asamoa and a version of it that has been corrupted
If you know exactly what I’m talking about here, you have my blessing and sincere encouragement to PLEASE go get that matai title!
What can you add to this list? Do you agree or disagree with it so far?
What would be your advice to hopeful matai?
Please tell us in a comment below.
x
This article was first posted in September 2016 on our previous website, One Samoana.
Nice read.
Sadly, the ‘Don’t’ list is the very reason(s) why some want to become a matai or give away a significant birth right.
There are Samoans who really don’t care for the historical, cultural, spiritual value of a unique and fundamental tradition. Look at how many non-Samoans hold titles now. Yeah, of course people are going to say: it’s their business who they bestow matai to. Yeah, well, it doesn’t mean they’re immune to criticism, eh. Don’t cry when the non-Samoan leases your land without proper consultation (protocol) and/or challenges and makes demands because he or she is a matai. It has happened.
I used to blame the ‘Don’t’ list on the effects of colonisation and globalisation from the Western/Metro-centric influence. You know, greed and power. The foreign way of life is superior to our own way of life.
I chose to think: that’s right, it’s the White Man’s fault.
Not my, our forebears.
Now, I begrudgingly acknowledge that some of our people are blinded by individualism (is that even a legit word? lol – I no care hah). An individualist. The me, me, me vs us (aiga) attitude is more important and relevant in this day and age. For some.
Because we’re known as a communal society, almost everything is shared equally – or rightfully, according to rank (authority), genealogy, mavaega (oral will) et al.
We take care of our own, no-one gets left behind sort of mentality, context.
Which has for some, been replaced with, I have to take care of me first; aiga comes a distant second, or even third. To some degree, I understand this choice, especially for Samoans who live abroad who don’t have the aiga support network.
#gottadowhatyagottado
Or I have to make me and the aiga look good no matter the cost, reputation or lack of bound by duty and responsibility.
Whether Samoans want to be a matai based on the ‘Do’ list is pretty much straightforward. Whether Samoans lie based on the “Don’t’ list that is the ongoing problem to the matai system.
I look forward to reading more about this subject, HGG.
‘ata leotele
I’m 3 years delayed with my response to your comment (so sorry) but I have read it over and over again so many times. You pretty much capture all my concerns about what’s happening with our faamatai. I just hope more people take the time to understand our culture and their family dynamics before (or even after) accepting a title. And I think you’d make a great matai 🙂
I love reading this rant lol. Too much truth 😀
My advice to hopeful matai, or the fia matai.. please go for it, I think everyone should become a matai. Because today, matai or not you are still obligated to contribute to family fa’alavelave, so might as well fai sau nofo and abolish the fa’ataulele’a..lol
But if you don’t want to get strip naked by the usu a le gu’u when you arrive home, then either remain as a taule’ale’a or loose your Samoan identity and go as a tourist. lol
Jay… You have a point. As usual 🙂
I think I want the Palelei title that was orginally held by my grandfather LOL oka se mea a ese hahaha
Great read. I love learning about my culture, but it’s difficult to find great resources. My uncle recently asked if I wanted a title; I haven’t talked to him in years, and in all honesty, I’m not too fond of him. When I was offered it, I was pretty skeptical about why he wanted me to have it. After reading this, I’m convinced that he only wants me to have a title for his own personal advantage lol..
Loll … if you ever end up accepting the title, I guess as long as you go in with your eyes open, it could still be a great thing for yourself and your family.
Great blog, thank you for giving me an understanding of the matai’s role within Samoan Culture.
I am a wife who know’s nothing about my husband’s culture. My husband’s dad pulled us aside one day and said he’s handing down his title to my husband and that he needs to pay 1,000 tala to the village within 10 days. We didn’t even get a chance to diasgree. I asked what his role would be as a matai, and his parents said “nothing, just send the money.” I expressed that it sounds like a burden, having to send money we don’t have in 10 days. In the end, I thought it was honorable because his dad was handing down something that seems to mean a lot to him. It’s been 8 days later and my husband has told me he doesn’t care about it. Even after reading, I don’t really want anything to do with Fa’asamoa and Samoan traditions (sorry if I have offended anyone, it is not my intention, but to be purely honest). I believe in Jesus above culture, and I believe the only thing we will get out of doing this is wanting to help feed a village every now and then.
Once again, thank you for this blog.
Thank you for your very honest comment, Cherish. If a matai title was offered to me the way it was offered to your husband, I would not want it either.
I hope you can appreciate, though, that different families practice the Fa’asamoa in different ways… and different matai have their own approach to their cultural and family responsibilities. Historically, the fa’amatai was actually built on Christian values (our matai system – as it is practiced today – came well after we stopped worshipping animals and our ancestors). It is my opinion, based on a lot of observation, that too many of us have forgotten those values in the way we live our culture today.
As for putting Jesus before culture, this is the dilemma – and the decision – of so many Samoan Christians, myself included :).
Thank you for stopping by.
I am a student learning anthropology. Some of my friends are Samoans. I want to talk with them fa’a samoa.So I start to learn Samoan. What a pity, the only book which I found is Coming of Age in Samoa,thus making me have no idea about more details.One of them is a Matai and I want to know more about the title. Do you have some recommendations or suggestions?
This is one of my favourite Samoan language learning resources right now: Say it In Samoan (.pdf file)
Here’s another one: Samoan Peace Corp Language (.pdf)
They’re a lot better than that Margaret Mead book lol. And they’re free!
🙂
Hi Fetu. You are trying to learn about Samoan culture? The best books I know of that talk about matai and fa’asamoa are written in Samoan. You can find some of them here: PEC Bookstore.
You might also try searching the National Library in New Zealand.
I find it crazy how this post was 7 years ago and yet I just came from Samoa a couple of weeks ago and this is still growing and relevant to this day. I have cousins in Samoa, who were born and raised there responding and speaking in English to everyone except for some elderly people but even then their Samoan was limited and almost felt like they came from outside. I’ve had friends get a Matai title because they got it offered it to them and just wanted to do it for the experience and then once they leave Samoa their title is just another name to them. I’ve even met a couple of people who brag about going to Samoa almost every year or couple of years to get different titles yet don’t know the meaning, origin or villages they received it from but rather ‘did it for the family’. I’ve had Aunties and Uncles basically take advantage of the family and village because of their Matai as they have higher titles than others. So many Matai’s (that I’ve come across) don’t even like the fa’asamoa way of life anymore or more so no longer want to keep it up unless it suits them, especially the ones who have been overseas far too long. When there’s a faalavelave they will always opt to save themselves money (which I totally get, its not cheap) but they don’t think about whether it brings any good to the family and in the end e ka’u valea ai le aiga because of their choices. There’s been many arguments and disagreements between families because Matai’s can never see eye to eye, one wants to uphold the fa’asamoa and fa’aaloalo side of things and yet the other one wants to go the ‘palagi’ way. I’ve never been one to ever want to hold a title because I was raised with understanding the responsibility and challenges that comes with being a Matai especially one that the family relies on, but at this point people much younger than me(25) are getting titles left and right. There’s been a lost in respect when it comes to holding a title especially when people argue with elderly people or just those much older than them about family or village related issues but the way their words are full vulgarity is absolutely horrendous. I’m not saying this is every young Matai known to man but I speak of the ones I have seen and heard do all these things I never saw growing up and yes, not every elder or older Matai is more wiser or knowledge, some of them are kuluku too but with what I’ve witnessed so far ua leai ma se fa’aaloalo ae ua ova le fa’amaualuga and it breaks my heart to see it.
I’m a lot older than you and it makes me sad that you’re witnessing and experiencing the same things (it sounds even worse, actually) that drove me to write this post. These are the reasons I also don’t want a title (not that anyone’s offered me one lol).
But sometimes I do.
Only because I feel like…if I’m going to complain so loudly about something, what am I actually doing to fix it? My dilemma is whether having a title – in the environment you’ve described so perfectly – would put me in the right position to make a difference, or just…corrupt me.
E.. ka le iloa lol.
We have the advantage, though, of understanding enough about our culture so that we can recognize when things aren’t right. I think that so many newer matai, especially those who are just trying to keep the family happy, have no idea. A lot of times, it’s not their fault.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. Let’s hope more of us continue to have these discussions, if only to spread a little awareness.