Fala O Futa retells the origin of the ʻIe Tōga from Tutuila’s perspective

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Students of the American Sāmoa Community College’s Students Association for Faa-Samoa (SAFF) and House of Flying Daggers produced a play this semester about the origin of the Samoan ʻie tōga, commonly referred to in English as the “fine mat.”

There are various perspectives on the origin of the Samoan ʻie tōga, including from ʻUpolu and Savaiʻi, however, the faculty of the Samoan Studies Institute (SSI) and the student groups decided to retell Tutuila’s version.

Central to the plot “Fala o Futa” is the genealogy of the ʻie tōga:

Futa is a weaver from Fitiuta, Manuʻa who moves to Tula on Tutuila. Fealoalo marries Futa and begets Maofa. Maofa marries Tuisamatatele of Onenoa and begets Logoalise. Togiola of Saʻilele marries Logoalise and they have a daughter and name her Magalita. Leponafaigā of Masefau marries Magalita and sires Tauolosiʻi, a girl, who is believed to be named Futa.

The story centers around Manuosofusi and her daughter, Tauolosiʻi, who are captured by Tongans while on a night fishing expedition. The brother of the Tui Tonga, Lautivunia takes them to Tonga, along with the fine mat of Tauolosiʻi.

Impressed by the beauty of the mat, the Tui Tonga takes Tauolosiʻi as his wife, which infuriates Lautivunia. Lautivunia distances himself from his brother, who wants him to live with him. Lautivunia, however, takes his own life out of anger and to spite his brother.

Not knowing that his brother has already died, the Tui Tonga thinks he is hiding and accuses the Samoans living in Tonga of hiding him. Tui Tonga threatens to burn the Samoans alive, however, Manuosofusi covers her Tauolosiʻi with the fine mat to beg for forgiveness.

Thus is the origin of the first “ifoga” (traditional apology/reconciliation ceremony) and the name of the fine mat, “ʻie tōga” (according to this story).

The “Fala o Futa” as a production was a riveting display of culture integrated into a modern context of storytelling. It also recounts the origin of various names associated with the most important measina (treasure) of Sāmoa, including “Pūlouoleola,” “Tasiaeafe,” and “Pipiʻimaʻeleʻele,” which are often forgotten in the minds of youth today.

The play was produced by the faculty of the Samoan Studies Institute, including its director Aiono Okenaisa Fauʻolo-Manilla, Tupaisiva Tamari Mulitalo-Cheung, and others. It has been the first production performed completely in the Samoan language and is a part of the activities to kick off the Māsina o le Gagana Sāmoa (Samoan Language Month) held annually during March.

The play opened on Thursday, February 27, 2025 as a corporate dinner in which various prominent members of the Government were in attendance, including Governor Pulaaliʻi Nikolao Pula and members of his Cabinet and several lawmakers.

Among the distinguished attendees in the crowd were Treasurer Donald Kruse, Medicaid Director Louise Kuaea, Maoputasi Faipule Trude Ledoux-Sunia, Miss American Sāmoa Pauliana Angelfromheaven Felise Vitale, Intersections CEO Tauiliili Moeliliʻa Seui  and Bluesky CEO Justin Tuiasosopo.