Lest We Forget – The Mau Movement History Restored

“Ne’i mea ane ua galo le tofi o le nu’u ma le saolotoga o tagata e saili i le toto maligi, ne’i mea ane ua galo ia tatou feau ma galuega le sailiga malo a tuaa ma matua.” – Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi.

The heavy rain on Tuesday morning did not dampen the spirit of Vaimoso village and Government when they came together to launch the restored headquarters of the Mau Independence Movement.

Rich in history, and its critical connection to Samoa’s independence, Vaimoso and the iconic headquarters captured in images from the colonial era, was where the independence movement leaders made vital decisions as it fought against colonial masters. It was also where the decision was made for the movement to hold a peaceful march on Beach Road to welcome back its exiled leaders on 28 December 1929.

It was the march that led to what is now known as Black Saturday, when New Zealand police officers gunned down the movement leader Tupua Tamasese Lealofi 111. Eleven others who tried to protect the leader from bullets were also killed.

Across from the Mau Headquarters at Vaimoso, was Tupua Tamasese’s house where he later died of gunshot wounds at only 28 years old. His dying words, “Samoa remain peaceful. My blood has been shed for Samoa, do not avenge it and be it of use to this,” Samoa fifilemu, Ia aoga lou toto mo lenei mea.”

The Mau Leader Tupua Tamasese Lealogi 111 with some of the movement’s Leaders infront of the headquarters a few months before he was fatally shot in what is now known as Black Saturday.

At the Mau headquarters restoration ceremony, the former Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, nephew of the late Mau Leader wrote the keynote address presented by his niece, Taimalieutu Kiwi Tamasese and titled “Ne’i Mea Ane ua Galo – Lest We Forget”

Tui Atua reflected on the presumption that people may forget the struggle of our ancestors in fighting for freedom from colonial rule.

It is a reminder of the story behind the Black Saturday which falls on the 29 December, and this year marks 97 years since that day. An incident which led to the death of 12 people.

“Lest people forget the freedom we enjoy today came at high price, loss of blood and lives due to the sacrifice of our parents,” he said.

“Ina ne’i mea ane ua galo, e le’i maua fua le manuia  o le toafilemu o le atunu’u, ne’i galo o le  tofi o le nu’u ma le saolotoga o tagata e saili i le toto maligi i feau ma galuega ile sailiga malo a tuaa ma matua,” he said.

The restoration of the Mau Movement monument is a symbol of the sacrifice by the brave men and women who saw colonialism taking over Samoa.

He noted that if the children are asked what the monument means, you now know how to respond.

Wife of the Head of State, Afioga Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano cut the ribbon to open the headquarters while wife of Tupua Tamasese Efi, Filifilia Tamasese unveiled the plaque.

Words on the plaque “In Memory of Our Ancestors Who Fought For Our Freedom”

Filifilia Tupua Tamasese Efi unveiling the plaque for the restored Mau Headquarters.

Why the need to remember
In his address, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt echoed the same and emotional message.

“Ae pe galo faapefea le afu toto, ma le taavao o le atunuu. Pe galo faapefea le masoe o le Tama Aiga ma Tupu ma e na masoe faatasi ai i le Aso Toonai pogisa?” he said.

He also said the restoration of the Mau Movement Headquarters signifies those who paved the way and have lost their lives for a good cause.

Also remembered were the wives of the Mau leaders and women who stepped in to continue the Mau after the mens group took to the woods from the search by the New Zealand regime at the time.

Prior to New Zealand administration, the Germans, who although claimed were not colonising Samoa, Namulauulu Lauaki Mamoe knew differently and set up le Mau a Pule hence his exile to Saipan.

Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi also acknowledged the support of New Zealand Labour Party at the time of Samoa’s fight for her independence, specifically two Labour Ministers Sir Maui Pomare and Sir Apirana Ngata who supported Samoa’s move for independence.

“Lest we forget.”

The Women’s wing of the Mau who took food to the men hiding in the forest as the colonial masters tightened their efforts to quash the independence movement.

Laauli acknowledge Vaimoso & district
The Prime Minister acknowledged Vaimoso village’s contribution to the Mau Movement that hosted supporters from around the country who joined the fight for freedom and independence and with the motto: Samoa mo Samoa.

“Talofa e, i nai o tatou tuaā, e le’i gasē, aua sa lautua le momoliina o le Mau i le filemu ma le lotomaulalo. Sa o latou tapena se Samoa e soifua saoloto ai a latou fanau. Sa o latou faitaulaga ina ia aua nei vale tuulima lo tatou tofi, lo tatou atunuu,” he said.

He acknowledged the villages and Faleata 1 district who through the District Council, restored the iconic Mau Movement monument as a reminder to the future generations of Samoa.

Afioga Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano cutting the ribbon to officially open the restored Mau headquarters.

PM urges for a Museum
May this monument be a place for research on Samoa’s history, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa urged Vaimoso village.

“This is an asset that reminds us of the path taken by our ancestors and their faith in what they did,” said the Prime Minister. He suggested the establishment of the headquarters as a museum and an educational centre of its history.

“Tau ina ia tautalaaso pea, ma ia faaauau ona fuga matagofie le faamoemoe e tasi, tatou te tuli faatasi i luma le ‘ai o le tapuaiga a Samoa mo nei ma le lumanai.” he said.

Laauli said that during his time in Parliament, he had urged the districts MPs to look at restoring the Manu Movement headquarters.

Today’s ceremony to launch the restored Mau headquarters realizes that dream and the villages determination to restore a vital part of history.

The restoration project cost $200,000 and the committee behind the project acknowledged the donation from the Government of $20,000, $100,000 from the Faleata 1 Fono Faavae and donations from the Tamasese family and other donors to the work.