Safotulafai

Safotulafai
Village District
Land	Samoa
District	Fa'asaleleaga
Time zone	-11

Safotulafai is a village sub-district at the east end of Savai'i island with historical and political significance in Samoa's history. It is the main centre of Fa'asaleleaga district.

Safotulafai is one of the traditional 'Pule' (customary authority) ruling districts of Savai'i. Chief council meetings are held at Fuifatu malae. The sub-district includes the villages of Tuasivi, Fusi and Fogapoa.

In the early 1900s, this is also the place which saw the beginnings of the Mau, Samoa's independence movement during colonialism This initial resistance movement against German colonial rule was called the 'Mau a Pule'. It was led by well known orator Lauaki Namulauulu Mamoe from Satotulafai.In 1909, Lauaki and other Mau a Pule supporters, including his older brother who was the holder of the 'Namulauulu' familly chief title, were trialed and exiled to Saipan by German Governor Wilhelm Solf. Some of the Mau a Pule died in exile.

By the late 1920s, the Mau movement had gathered widespread national support and Samoa became the first Pacific nation to gain political independence in 1962.

Safotulafai has strong traditional connections with Saleaula on the central north coast, through the paramount chiefly title of Letufuga. Safotulafai is always consulted by the village of Malie (Tuamasaga district) in conjunction with Manono (Aiga-i-le-Tai district), in the election of Malietoa title-holders.