Royalist0007
Aristocracy
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2006
- Messages
- 141
- City
- Wellington
- Country
- New Zealand
Here's a section that will be of interest to those who are interested in the various Royal Families of the British Commonwealth Pacific Islands countries.
Currently,the Head of State is Malietoa Tanumafili II who has been allowed to reign for the rest of his life.Once he passes away,the Head of State will be elected by the Western Samoan Parliament for a 5 year term.The Head of State will come from any of the 4 Royal Families of Western Samoa.
Although the name of the country has been 'Independent State of Samoa' since 1997,it is still commonly known as 'Western Samoa' to distinguish it from American Samoa.Western Samoa is a full member of the British Commonwealth,& has very strong ties with New Zealand,which administered it between 1914 & 1962.
The currency of Western Samoa is the Tala,which is divided into 100 Sene.
The Samoan language is the closest living related language to the Tokelauan language,but English is also an official language.
Western Samoa's chieftainship system is unique,as each family appoints a chief,who is called a Matai.Women can be Matai.Matai are the only people who can be elected to the Western Samoan Parliament,which is called the Fono,but there is pressure to institute a fully democratic political system in which non-Matais would be able to stand for the Fono.
There are some Matais who do not live in Western Samoa,but they do play an important role within the Samoan community in New Zealand (especially in Auckland).
If you have anything to contribute,please post here.
Aidan.
Currently,the Head of State is Malietoa Tanumafili II who has been allowed to reign for the rest of his life.Once he passes away,the Head of State will be elected by the Western Samoan Parliament for a 5 year term.The Head of State will come from any of the 4 Royal Families of Western Samoa.
Although the name of the country has been 'Independent State of Samoa' since 1997,it is still commonly known as 'Western Samoa' to distinguish it from American Samoa.Western Samoa is a full member of the British Commonwealth,& has very strong ties with New Zealand,which administered it between 1914 & 1962.
The currency of Western Samoa is the Tala,which is divided into 100 Sene.
The Samoan language is the closest living related language to the Tokelauan language,but English is also an official language.
Western Samoa's chieftainship system is unique,as each family appoints a chief,who is called a Matai.Women can be Matai.Matai are the only people who can be elected to the Western Samoan Parliament,which is called the Fono,but there is pressure to institute a fully democratic political system in which non-Matais would be able to stand for the Fono.
There are some Matais who do not live in Western Samoa,but they do play an important role within the Samoan community in New Zealand (especially in Auckland).
If you have anything to contribute,please post here.
Aidan.