The Ministry of Justice, Courts and Administration garnered more than SAT$120,000 in one week just from the registrations of new matai titles from the numerous matai bestowments across the country during the festive season, the Samoa Observer can reveal. 

Sources close to this newspaper confirmed that the ministry collected a total of $14,000 on Friday from registrations of new matai titles and $50,000 on Monday. 

This newspaper understands that there are families having matai bestowments this week and next week as well. 

There are still more of them who have yet to officially register their new titles with M.J.C.A.

Earlier this week, the M.J.C.A.'s office was crowded by new title holders from abroad and locally wanting to register their new titles before flying back home, on the first day back to work for government ministries after their two-week break. 

Getting a matai title is a new and exciting experience for first-time title holders that comes with great responsibility to the immediate family and especially the extended family. 

Most of those who lined up at Mulinuu were mainly Samoans residing overseas who were in the country for the festive season and were part of the matai title bestowment ceremony. 

The Samoa Observer spoke to some of the new matai title holders who were thankful for the honour conferred on them by their family and village. 

The new matai holders had their title bestowed in Savaii, Upolu and others on the island of Manono. There has been an influx of people traveling back to Samoa in the festive season to get their title bestowment. 

The M.J.C.A. staff had to keep check and control of the long line in the early hours. 

Most of the people who went to register their title got the okay while others were told they did not have all the details required in the matai bestowal confirmation form and had to fill it in. 

A person can have their matai publication after the title bestowal by providing a confirmation form or pepa saofai with complete detail and identification to confirm the age and person. 

A fee of $100 has to be paid upfront at the M.J.C.A. registration division and an extra $20 for matai certificate.