Laupepa, Susuga Malietoa

Susuga Malietoa Laupepa (1841–1898) was the ruler (Malietoa) of Samoa in the late 19th century. Laupepa was born in 1841 in Sapapali'i, Savaii, Samoa. His father was Malietoa Moli and mother was Fa’alaituio Fuatino Su’a. He was raised in Malie, received a religious education at Malua Seminary and was well-known as a devout Christian. He was the recognized leader of the Sā Mōlī which was based primarily in northern Tuamasaga. Laupepa cemented ties with Palauli (the only significant Sā Mōlī support base on Savai‘i) through his marriage to Sisavai‘i Malupo, a daughter of Niuva‘ai of Palauli, Savaii. The children of this marriage were two sons called Tanumafili and Siliva‘ai, and a daughter named Fa‘amusami [Fa‘amuleuatoivao]. When about 20, Tanumafili became Malietoa Tanumafili I. Laupepa later married a Rarotongan woman named Tui Ariki of a chiefly Cook Islands family.

In June 1894, both Laupepa and his son Mōlī II visited with the Latter-day Saint missionaries at Lalovi, Mulifanua with an army regiment of about 1,000 men. The missionaries described Laupepa to be “a very pleasant old gentleman,” about 5’9” and 180 pounds who spoke in a “deep bass voice” (Hart, Hart & Harris 67). Laupepa underwent the rituals to receive the pe'a traditional tattoo when he was in his forties. (wikipedia, 2012-02-28)