Brothers ready to accept matai responsibilities

By Talaia Mika 13 February 2019, 12:00AM

Two brothers are ready to accept the cultural responsibilities that come with their matai bestowment, as a tribute to their late father.

Australia and New Zealand-based siblings, Taito Tony Ta’avale and Taito Romeo Ta’avale, told the Samoa Observer that their late father cherished Samoan culture and they are ready to take on the leadership responsibilities that came with the title in memory of their father.

They said their father embraced the responsibilities and took on the challenges associated with the title and they are where they are today due to his commitment.

A first-time visitor to Samoa, Taito Romeo said he acknowledges the added responsibilities that came with the title. 

“Our father, who passed away two years ago, loved and cherished this culture so much. And being granted a matai title is a way of appreciating the life our father raised us in, and we’re just here to honor his hard work for raising us.”

Taito Romeo is currently in discussions with his wife – who stayed back in Australia – on the possibility of spending one or two years in the country to learn more about his Samoan heritage. He has two daughters in Australia, who don’t know much about their father’s background, and he is eager to share his experiences with them. 

“There was always that one thing that I felt has been missing in my life and this is it,” he said, and added that he felt this way upon his arrival in Samoa. 

The two brothers said they were raised in a faapalagi environment in New Zealand, and now that they have undergone their matai title bestowment, a new chapter in life has opened for them and their families.

By Talaia Mika 13 February 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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