Malietoa Laupepa
| Malietoa Laupepa | |
|---|---|
| Malietoa King (Tafa'ifa) of Samoa |
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| Reign | 1875–1887, 1889–1898 |
| Predecessor | Malietoa Mōli (father) |
| Successor | Malietoa Tanumafili I (son) |
| Born | 1841 Sapapali'i, Savai'i, Samoa |
| Died | August 22, 1898 Savai'i, Samoa |
| Spouse | Sisavai’i Malupo Niuva’ai |
| Issue | Fa’amu Leuatoivao Tanumafili I Siliva’ai Fefauimalemau Fuatino |
| House | Maota o Poutoa, Sapapali’i, Savaii, Samoa |
| Father | Malietoa Moli |
| Mother | Fa’alaituio Fuatino Su’apa’ia |
Susuga Malietoa Laupepa (1841–1898) was the ruler (Malietoa) of Samoa in the late 19th century.
Laupepa was born in 1841 in Sapapali'i, Savai'i, Samoa. His father was Malietoa Mōli and mother was Fa’alaitaua Fuatino Su’apa’ia. He was raised in Malie, received a religious education at Malua Seminary and was well known as a devout Christian. He was the recognized leader of the Sā Mōlī which was based primarily in northern Tuamasaga. Laupepa cemented ties with Palauli (the only significant Sā Mōlī support base on Savai‘i) through his marriage to Sisavai‘i Malupo, a daughter of Niuva‘ai of Palauli, Savaii. The children of this marriage were two sons named Tanumafili and Siliva‘ai, and daughter Fa‘amuleuatoivao. When about 20, Tanumafili became Malietoa Tanumafili I. Malietoa Tanumafili I. Laupepa had other marriages. One he had a daughter by the name of Saitaua who married Leota Laiafi of Solosolo. And the other marriage to Fuaolemalo Faumuina Fiame Leitutua Johnson of Lepea and Lefaga whom he had two daughters; Ta‘ase and Faamusami. Faamusami married Mata‘afa Fiame Faumuina Mulinu‘u I and Ta‘ase married Ainu‘u Maualaivao Tasi Tupou of Malie and Sapapali‘i, Savai‘i. and Laupepa later married a Rarotongan woman named Tui Ariki of a chiefly Cook Islands family.
In June 1894, both Laupepa and his son Mōlī II visited with the Latter-day Saint missionaries at Lalovi, Mulifanua with an army regiment of about 1,000 men. The missionaries described Laupepa to be “a very pleasant old gentleman,” about 5’9” and 180 pounds who spoke in a “deep bass voice”. Laupepa underwent the rituals to receive the pe'a traditional tattoo when he was in his forties.
Laupepa maintained his devout profession of Christianity throughout his life, although he became increasingly aggressive as he was thrust into the power struggle against his warlike uncle Talavou. Laupepa did not enjoy universal support from his fellow Samoans and his warfare record was dismal; he did however win some battles and managed to have himself crowned and subsequently deposed as Joint-King, Deputy-King (under Talavou), and sole King of Samoa in 1881.
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