“Wherever you go, you know exactly who you are and where you come from.”

In December 2022, Matai Titles were conferred on four women in the village of Falease’ela, Lefaga Samoa. The ceremony, known as a Saofai, was a unique experience for the women and their families who travelled to the islands from New Zealand and Australia for their investitures. This is their story.

[@tillygolgowsky6771]

"E lele le Toloa ae ma'eu lava I le vai" (The Toloa bird will always return to its Home environment " Perfect Samoan Proverb, illustrated in this beautiful Saofa'i Ceremony. Congratulations 🎊 👏 Ia Manuia lefa'amoemoe.Vi'ia le Atua 💖 💓 ❤️

[@pttLA]

Love this 👏🏽

[@ednateo17]

This is so cool to see after watching RED, WHITE AND BRASS

[@Lita_52]

Some people or villages don’t accept women having Matai or chiefly titles in Samoa 🇼🇸? That’s interesting. It’s great seeing our Pacific women being leaders or voicing on behalf of their aiga or communities ❤

[@jackie6742]

Interesting

[@Lita_52]

🤎

[@TamaOLeNiu]

E au le inailau a tamaitai