The village of Manunu welcomed 20 new matai title holders on Monday with two siblings among the recipients and vowing to be of service to their families.

The titles that were bestowed were Faifaimea, Sulamanaia, Seutoaalii, Tuimaugaoalii, Manutufatufa, Seiuli, Fausia, Lemoavinimua, Tauanuuiti, Faualii and Leuea.

New Zealand-born Samoan siblings Asafo and Lisa Maugatai, who now live in Australia, were bestowed with the titles of Sulamanaia and Seutoaalii.

Sulamanaia Asafo, 34, told the Samoa Observer in an interview that the title he received was once held by his father before he passed on in March this year. 

“It was his title, we did a ceremony after his funeral in March, where the title was transferred to me,” said the son, who has now risen to the occasion. 

He added that his matai sitting had been planned since March this year and he officially commenced with the formalities on Monday following the ceremony.

“It didn’t feel real, it is something I’ve always wanted [I guess], my grandmother always wanted this for me and her wishes have finally come true," he added.

According to Sulamanaia, his hope with his new title is to do the best he can for his family, “whatever it may be" while also following in the footsteps of his uncle and aunties who already show service in the family. 

He also added that it was great to have his sister's bestowal alongside him in this journey. 

"She was only meant to come support but ended up being bestowed too."

Seutoaalii Lisa said that she learned the day before the ceremony that she would also receive a title with her brother. 

“My uncle just said that I’ll be getting a title and I’ll still be a regular girl and I said okay that sounds easy," she said.

However, Seutoaalii said that when she found out she needed to do a speech and put on the traditional Samoan attire she became nervous. 

“It was very scary, I wasn’t really prepared,” she said. 

She said she never thought she would receive one, especially at the age of 24, but was confident that she and her older brother have made their families proud with their bestowal.