What is "mata'afa"

Mata'afa is a high chief title in Samoa under the country's Matai system of socio-political governance where individuals are bestowed with family names. The historical seat of the Mata'afa title is in Amaile in the Atua district at the east end of Upolu island.

The title was vacant from 1977 (with the death of Mata'afa Fa'asuamaleaui Pu'ela Patu) to May 2011, when it was bestowed upon Mata'afa Tupuola Lui, "an 83 year old village chief of Amaile village".