CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Unbekannt
1887 - 1919
About the object
Mata’afa Iosefo (1832 – 1912)
This photograph shows Tupua Malietoa To’oa Mata'afa Iosefo of Falefā, a prominent figure in Sāmoa's history during Euro-American occupation. He was one of three contenders for the kingship title in the late 19th century. Amidst a complex political landscape, Mata’afa became ali’i sili under the German administration in 1900, though he was also an outspoken opponent of Euro-American influences on Sāmoan politics. On top of that, he played a key role in the Mau a Pule (1908), a peaceful resistance movement against colonialism. The movement was initiated by tulafale Lauaki Namulau’ulu Mamoe and later revived by Ta’isi Nelson during the New Zealand administration in the 1920s. The Mau sought to restore Sāmoan authority, safeguard autonomy, and advocate for self-determination.
Author: Charlotte Klinge, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
This photograph shows Tupua Malietoa To’oa Mata'afa Iosefo of Falefā, a prominent figure in Sāmoa's history during Euro-American occupation. He was one of three contenders for the kingship title in the late 19th century. Amidst a complex political landscape, Mata’afa became ali’i sili under the German administration in 1900, though he was also an outspoken opponent of Euro-American influences on Sāmoan politics. On top of that, he played a key role in the Mau a Pule (1908), a peaceful resistance movement against colonialism. The movement was initiated by tulafale Lauaki Namulau’ulu Mamoe and later revived by Ta’isi Nelson during the New Zealand administration in the 1920s. The Mau sought to restore Sāmoan authority, safeguard autonomy, and advocate for self-determination.
Author: Charlotte Klinge, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
When Western forces arrived in Sāmoa, they enforced a centralised government, which was to be led by one head of state - a king. Euro-American factions quickly sided with their preferred candidates, provoking a series of violent struggles for the throne among Sāmoan high chiefs. Mata’afa, who criticised the involvement of Euro-American in Sāmoan politics, gained support from many Sāmoans who rallied behind him in subsequent military confrontations. Consequently, he was exiled to the Marshall Islands. In 1898, he returned to Sāmoa and was crowned ali’i sili (paramount chief) by the Germans in 1900. Sāmoa was subsequently partitioned among Germany, Britain and the US in accordance with the Tripartite Convention, with Western Sāmoa being assigned to Germany, and the east becoming American Sāmoa.
Backed by Germany, Mata’afa continued to play a significant role during German administration until his death in 1912. Because Sāmoa was divided without the consultation of its people resentment rose among the indigenous population. The saying “Sāmoa mo Sāmoa”, Sāmoans for Sāmoa, was a resounding cry for change. The Mau a Pule, a peaceful resistance movement initiated by tulafale and Mata’afa supporter Lauaku Namulau’ulu Mamoe, gained momentum in 1908. Not only was it aimed at resisting German administration, but it also sought to preserve the cultural identity and autonomy of Sāmoa.
This photograph was likely taken by John Davis in his studio in Matafele, Apia. It captures Mata’afa wearing an ‘ulafala around his neck and an ‘ie lavalava wrapped around his waist.
Author: Charlotte Klinge, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Backed by Germany, Mata’afa continued to play a significant role during German administration until his death in 1912. Because Sāmoa was divided without the consultation of its people resentment rose among the indigenous population. The saying “Sāmoa mo Sāmoa”, Sāmoans for Sāmoa, was a resounding cry for change. The Mau a Pule, a peaceful resistance movement initiated by tulafale and Mata’afa supporter Lauaku Namulau’ulu Mamoe, gained momentum in 1908. Not only was it aimed at resisting German administration, but it also sought to preserve the cultural identity and autonomy of Sāmoa.
This photograph was likely taken by John Davis in his studio in Matafele, Apia. It captures Mata’afa wearing an ‘ulafala around his neck and an ‘ie lavalava wrapped around his waist.
Author: Charlotte Klinge, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
References
- Peter Swain: Fono: the contest of the governance of Sāmoa. 2022.
- Robert MacKenzie Watson: History of Sāmoa. 2021.
- Tobias Sperlich: Photographing Mata‘afa Iosefo: Encounters, Interactions and Engagements in Colonial Samoa. In: History of Photography. 2014, S. S. 296-314.
- Hilke Thode-Arora: From Sāmoa with love? Völkerschauen im deutschen Kaiserreich: eine Spurensuche. 2014.