User talk:Falaniko

Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe (--- to 1915)

He was a Samoan orator of Safotulafai, the first Pule. Admired for his oratory, he was referred to by Dr Solf the German Governor as a grand eloquent speaker who had considerable influence over the Samoans. His first wife was Suilolo Tofaeono of Vaiala and his second wife was Sivaotele. He was very active in the political activities in the 1890s and early 1900s. He was a great supporter of Malietoa Laupepa and a member of the native government headed by Mataafa Iosefo in 1900. He not only was a politician, orator and warrior but most importantly he was a traditionalist. He is described as a man passionate about Samoan politics and culture. When Dr Solf made a radical measure of removing any reference to Tumua (orator group of Upolu) and Pule( orator group of Savaii) in the tusi faalupega( book of salutation) Lauaki protested. Solf, an intellectual with college degrees, was a very astute scholar on Samoan affairs and was of the conviction that a peaceful Samoa could be achieved by the elimination of the powerful orator groups Tumua and Pule. Writing them out of the tusi faalupega would mean these were no longer given recognition in the political structure of Samoa. Moreover they would no longer play the role of power brokers. Tumua and Pule bestowed the highest ranking titles of Samoa. This was the core of the protest movement or Mau a Pule. Lauaki did not concede anything to the Germans. Lauaki believed that Samoans were the only ones who knew how to govern Samoans thus he coined the slogan for his Mau movement, "Samoa mo Samoa" or Samoa for Samoans. In keeping with this ideal he was unwilling to grant Solf any authority to amend the Samoan traditional power structure. This was the beginning of the Mau a Pule movement. The centre of Pule truly lived up to its role of taking the lead in the political affairs of Samoa as it took the lead in this protest movement. But this was not the first protest activity for Lauaki. He was also active in the Oloa Movement of 1903 which protested against the economic policies of the Germans. Lauaki who was not college educated quickly assessed the role economics and capitalism had in this new society. He established the Fale Oloa which was a Samoan owned business to compete with German merchants for the copra which was the commodity most sought after by foreign nations from Samoa. This was not very popular with the German merchants living in Samoa. eventually Dr. Solf forcefully closed down this operation. Lauaki before the Mau a Pule had had many encounters with the German governor. Dr Solf feared Lauaki’s oratorical cunningness and ability to persuade Samoan opinion. Dr Solf knew that Lauaki was a force to reckon with. The Mau a Pule was essentially an attempt by Pule to restore the traditional position of Tumua and Pule and to protest against German interferences with Samoan culture. Mau a Pule also petitioned reduction in taxation. Lauaki traveled around Samoa to spread his message and seek support. Lauaki was not however, very successful in this endeavour. He was abandoned by the high ranking chiefs such as Mataafa Iosefo and other tama a aiga whom he had initially counted on for support. Instead they issued a statement that they did not support Lauaki’s activities and that Samoa should ignore him. This stand was partly due to Solf’s cunningness and manipulation. He played Samoans against Samoans. Despite these setbacks it did not discourage Lauaki. He persisted, seeking support mainly in Savaii. Eventually he came to Apia to confront the German government. There was a confrontation between the two men at Vaiusu, Solf who did not want a war tried to appease Lauaki by offering him a pardon. At the intervention of Newell, the LMS missionary Lauaki accepted the pardon and agreed to return to Savaii. That was not however the end of their confrontation. Lauaki continued with his political agitation which annoyed the German government in Samoa.The situation was becoming volatile. Solf requested his government for warships four of which arrived in Samoa in March 1909. Lauaki and his men went into the bush and refused to surrender. Finally the situation was diffused when the LMS and Methodist missionaries persuaded Lauaki and his supporters to give themselves up. Lauaki was exiled to Saipan in the Marianas accompanied by Iiga Pisa, Asiata Taetoloa, Leiataua Mana, Namulauulu Pulali,Tuilagi Letasi, Tevaga Mataafa and other key men of the Mau a Pule with their wives and children in 1909. Two pastors also accompanied them. They were taken by a German warship. Sadly Lauaki never returned home. This patriotic son of Samoa died in 1915 on Tarawa Atoll of dysentery on his way home from exile. Lauaki symbolizes the true spirit of patriotism and courage. He was a man with a conscience. He would not compromise his beliefs. He was a visionary in that he believed that Samoan culture and traditions were the heart and soul of his people and in order to function competently in the new world order they must save their heritage while expanding their knowledge of the Western world. He was a true patriot with spirit and vision. ````