Malietoa, Williams and Samoa’s Embrace of Christianity.

Abstract

IN 1830, JOHN WILLIAMS OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY (LMS) ARRIVED IN Samoa IN his schooner, the missionary vessel Messenger of Peace, also known as the Olive Branch, the building of which he had undertaken and supervised at his station in Rarotonga. His Samoan guide, Fauea, who was hitching a ride home with his wife and family after 11 years in Tonga, guided Williams and the ship to Sapapali‘i, on the eastern side of Savai‘i. This was the home of Malietoa Vainu‘upo,1 who was just one battle away from securing for himself the last of four titles2 that together would confer on him the mantle of Tafa‘ifa, an honorific commanding great respect in Samoa.3 Malietoa and his younger brother Taimalelagi showed hospitality to Williams and his missionary companion Charles Barff, and when these two departed after a few days, the eight Polynesian teachers4 and their families who had accompanied them on the Messenger of Peace were left under Malietoa’s protection. Williams returned in 1832 and twice in 1838–39. It was from Samoa that Williams sailed to his death in the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), and it was to Samoa that his purported remains were returned.