The ceremony originally began with 19 soon-to-be sworn matai, but a few hours before the ceremony, Saletaulua Savea was chosen by the high chiefs of the family to be bestowed with the Leuea title.

Manumalupe Asafo, who was also given the title Faifaimea, was one of the family leaders who chose 62-year-old Saletaulua to receive the title title.

“He [Leuea] has been married into this family for a while now, and we just looked at him doing all the chores in the back and we see how old he is, and it just reminded us of the tautua he has done for the family over the years,” Faifaimea said. “The principle of tautua is not restricted to only the true heirs.

"But it also goes to anybody you know, not like the paramount chief, but like for the oratory chiefs and other matai, it’s the tautua that counts."

He told the Samoa Observer that this was the first time in 20 years that Manunu has had a matai title ceremony bestowal. 

When asked about how he felt about his own new title, he said it was "an honour" and then recalled how long he has held a title. 

“I have been a Manu title holder for over 30 years and a reverend elder. It is just a continuation of the work that I have been doing over the years," said Faifaimea. "It won’t make any difference, the tautua will still be there and I will still take care of my family.

“Some people aspire to these titles, but if you put the hard work in, it comes naturally and I think that’s why the family chose me. I never went looking for a title."

In an interview with Leuea, he said that he is honoured to be bestowed the title, especially as a man who is married into the family.

He told the Samoa Observer that he was in the kitchen cooking when they called out his name to join the ceremony.

“I didn’t think I would become a matai, but I thank my wife’s family for this honour, especially as an outsider, this is rare. I am honoured and I will give my best to this family,” said Leuea.

Leuea hails from Vailoa, Palauli Savai’i villages and has served his wife’s family in Manunu for ten years.

His daughter Filiamata said she was very proud of her father and excited about his new journey as a matai title holder in the family.

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