Malietoa Talavou Tonumaipe'a
| Malietoa "King" Talavou | |
|---|---|
| Malietoa of Samoa, Tonumaipe'a, Tuia'ana, Tupu o Salafai | |
| Reign | 1869-1880 jointly held the Malietoa title with his nephew Laupepa, officially made "King" August 28, 1879 - November 9, 1880 |
| Predecessor | Malietoa Moli (older half brother) |
| Successor | Malietoa Laupepa (nephew-M. Moli's son) |
| Born | circa 1810 Sapapali'i, Savai'i, Samoa |
| Died | November 9, 1880 Apia, Samoa |
| Burial | Sapapali'i |
| Spouse | Fa'amelea Lei'ataualesa Malulaufa'i |
| Issue | Ta'imua Malietoa Fa'alataitaua |
| House | Maota o Pouesi- Sapapali'i, Savai'i, Samoa |
| Father | Malietoa Vai'inupo Tavita |
| Mother | Fuataiotuimaleali'ifano Malietoa Muagutiti'a (also known as Malietoa Ti'a) |
Le Susuga Malietoa Talavou Tonumaipe’a (ca. 1810 - November 9 1880) was installed as "King" of Samoa to the western world on August 28, 1879 until his death on November 9, 1880. Since Malietoa Talavou's half brother's (same father M. Vai'inupo) death, Malietoa Moli in 1860, ongoing wars due to power and authority struggle between Talavou and Laupepa (M. Talavou's nephew-his half brother M. Moli's eldest son) over the next Malietoa title holder and the gaining of support by the districts of Samoa. Family rivalry existed as did a 30-year age difference drew a wedge between Malietoa Laupepa and Malietoa Talavou. They were known to be longtime rivals over the Malietoa title.
Since the death of M. Moli in 1860, the people of Samoa were undecided in their allegiance to one Malietoa title holder. In 1869, Talavou was conferred the Malietoa title by the majority of the districts (Faasalelega, Manono, parts of Tuamasaga to Mulinu'u. This included people from Leulumoega and Lufilufi) all of whom were against Laupepa's claim to the Malietoa title. Also in 1869, Laupepa was strongly supported by the majority in the Tuamasaga district. Both Talavou and Laupepa jointly held the Malietoa title until their deaths.
At the end of Malietoa Gatuitasina's (M Moli and M Talavou's uncle) reign and death in 1858, the Malietoa title did not transition downward in its normal traditional order of succession by generation, age and seniority. M. Talavou should have succeeded M. Moli because they were in the same generation and M. Laupepa was in the next generation. M. Moli and M. Talavou are also half brothers (same father M. Vai'inupo). M. Moli reigned for two years 1858-1860 and died in 2 years after M. Gatuitasina's death on October 1, 1858.
Malietoa Laupepa was installed as "King" in 1875 then four years later Malietoa Talavou was finally proclaimed and appointed as "King" in his latter years on August 28, 1879 officially recognized on record by the German, British and American governments. Malietoa Talavou was born circa 1810 to Malietoa Vai'inupo Tavita, by his second wife Fuataiotuimaleali'ifano Malietoa Muagututi'a (also known as Malietoa Ti'a). It was reported, in a local newsletter, that Malietoa Talavou died on November 9, 1880 (at the age of 70). No official record of Malietoa Talavou's cause of death.
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Wikipedia