Unbekannt

1898

About the object

This photograph was taken during the outbreak of Sāmoa’s second civil war between 1898 and 1899. It shows high chief Malietoa Tanumafili’s armed supporters marching through a street in Apia prior to confronting Mata'afa’s troops.
Author: Charlotte Klinge, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Britain, German and America’s involvement in the struggle for titleship worsened matters between Sāmoan title contenders. After Malietoa Laupepa’s death, Mata’afa Iosefo was returned from exile to step in as paramount chief. He was backed by the Germans, to the dismay of the British and American factions, who supported Malietoa Laupepa’s son, Malietoa Tanumafili. In January 1899 a second civil war broke out. To put an end to the violence, all three Western parties partook in the Tripartite Convention. The result saw the Sāmoan archipelago divided between Germany and the United States.

Author: Charlotte Klinge, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa