Ātua | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:The_Social_and_Political_Systems_of_Central_Polynesia_-_Upolu.png) Ātua, comprising the eastern third of Upolu Island on map of 1924 | |
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Samoa-Atua.png) Map of Samoa showing Atua district | |
| Country |  Samoa |
| Government | |
| Population (2016) | |
| • Total | 22,769 |
| Time zone | +13 |
Ātua is an ancient political district of Samoa, consisting of most of the eastern section of Upolu and the island Tutuila. Within Samoa's traditional polity, Ātua is ruled by the Tui Ātua together with the group of six senior orators of Lufilufi and 13 senior matai from throughout Ātua, comprising the Fale Ātua (or parliament of Atua). The fono (meeting) of Atua's rulers takes place in Lufilufi on the great malae of Lalogafu'afu'a.[1]
The paramount pāpā title and sovereign of Ātua is the Tui Ātua. The title traces its lineage to Pili, son of Tagaloa-a-lagi. One of the first known Tui Atua was Tui Atua Leutelele'i'ite of Falefa, who according to oral tradition, is said to have been part aitu (God-like) and part tagata (human-like) and lived around 1170 CE. It is from his lifetime that the known pre-European history of Samoa associated with the Tui Ātua and its holders began.[2] The current Tui Ātua is former Prime Minister, Head of State and tama-a-aiga, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi.
The two paramount matai titles of Ātua are the two Tama-a-aiga titles of Tupua Tamasese and Matā'afa, respectively belonging to the two main noble lineages of Ātua: Sā Fenunuivao (descendants of Salamasina through Fenunu’ivao, adoptive mother of Tupua) of Falefa and Salani; and Sā Levālasi (descendants of Levalasi, adoptive mother of Salamasina) of Amaile and Lotofaga. Both titles belong to Sā Tupua one of the two maximal lineages of Samoa.