WEEKLY REVIEW 311: SAMOAN INDEPENDENCE…UNITED NATIONS MISSION

Photograph taken on location in Samoa during filming by the National Film Unit (NFU) of the United Nations (UN) Mission visit in 1947. Related to ref. F768 ‘Weekly Review 311’ (1947). A delegation from the UN meet with the Paramount Chiefs of Samoa and the Fono a Faipule, among others, to determine the wishes of the people regarding independence from the New Zealand Trusteeship.

Exterior wide-shot showing two dignitaries, from Samoa and the UN, standing on the malae at Mulinu'u, Apia. In the foreground, part of the audience can be seen with their backs to the camera. To the right of frame, a cameraman [possibly the NFU's Ivo Tisch] films the two men. In the background large crowds are seen sitting inside and at the front of two large open-sided fale. The Palagi dignitary [possibly UN Mission Chairman Francis B. Sayre] is delivering a speech and holds the to'oto'o (staff), which is traditionally used along with the fue (whisk), when delivering oratory and responding to another Tulafale (orator). In situations where a person holds a high status that is not known or acknowledged in the fa'amatai (chiefly system), they may be given permission by the Samoan people to use the to'oto'o out of respect, to acknowledge the Samoan culture.

Description kindly provided by Va'aomanū Pasifika (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington) intern, To'aga Alefosio.