Samalaeulu and Lealatele in Gagaifomauga No. 1 formally delivered their traditional courtesy (fa'aaloaloga) to the Government in front of the Parliament on Tuesday.

The traditional ceremony was undertaken as a token of the village's appreciation for the Government's recognition of the Catholic Church's celebration of its 178th anniversary. 

Government leaders last Thursday travelled by boat to Savai'i to join the commemoration of 178 years since the arrival of the church's first clergy in Samoa at Samalaeulu ma Lealatele in Savai'i.

The village through the Catholic Church was given SAT$60,000 by the Government as a gift to celebrate the church's milestone. 

The Government, according to Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio gifts $60,000 to any denomination that celebrates their anniversaries during the year-long celebration of the country's 60th Independence anniversary.

The Congregational Christian Church Samoa, the Nazareth Church, and the Seventh Church Adventist church also received $60,000 each during their commemoration festivities over the 12 months since the 60th independence celebrations.

"The opportunity was given within the year of the 60th independence, there have been some difficulties with some churches but we have given every church the equal opportunity to commemorate, "Tuala told Samoa Observer in an interview. "Methodists wanted to put it on but they weren't able to sort of agree to put it on for the reasons within the church.

"But for the Catholics, we wanted to promote Christianity, our church and our village and the Government has given us the opportunity to show the dawn of Christianity that our village is known for."

Samalaeulu and Lealatele performed the traditional fa'aaloaloga in front of the Parliament on Tuesday with the delivery of traditional Samoan treasures such as siapo, ietoga as well as monetary gifts to the Government. It was conducted in a tent set up in front of the Government Building where all parliamentarians were seated after the morning session of parliament.

Tuala, who is the Gagaifomauga No. 1 Member of Parliament, explained that the Government were not presented the fa'aaloaloga on the day of the commemoration in Savai'i as is the normal process due to bad weather.

"We didn't get to do the fa'aaloaloga because of the rough seas so people had to leave but we had a great day in Savai'i, although I felt sorry for the Head of State because it was a long way to travel plus the rough seas," he explained. "We just went through the program and it was an hour delay but we couldn't make up the time and finish the whole program.

"Some were trying to get people back on the boat because they were saying the ferry services will close soon but it never happened so we took the 4 pm boat back to Upolu."

Samalaeulu ma Lealatele's traditional gifts were presented after the Head of State's "O'o" which was also conducted in front of the Parliament on Tuesday.