Head of State and His Village Reconcile

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Samoa’s Head of State, who is the holder of the Tui Atua paramount title, has reconciled with his village of Lufilufi who banished him six years ago.

His removal from the village was over the construction of a shelter which was built on the traditional grounds of the Tui Atua title holder that village council members said they had not been informed about.

A Commission of Inquiry was established following the dispute but later withdrawn following a request from the Head of State.

Last month the village council of Lufilufi unanimously accepted that Tui Atua would be welcomed back.

At a royal traditional ceremony at Lufilufi this week, an orator of the village, Selelimalelei Malala, apologised to Tui Atua for any mistakes or wrongdoing by the village.

Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and his wife were present at the ceremony for his and his family’s return.

Our correspondent says this is the first time a Tui Atua paramount title holder has been banished and then welcomed back by the village.

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