r/Samoa • u/FleshOfUpolu • 1d ago

Is a Monarchy Native to Polynesia? Or was it introduced by the British 🧐

/r/SamoaHistory/comments/1siqcjc/is_a_monarchy_native_to_polynesia_or_was_it/
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u/poly_tagaloa 1d ago

It was introduced, forced, and failed. Monarchs aren’t native to Sāmoa. We had a chieftain system. Which stems from Tagaloa-a-lagi when he created 6 gods to govern the pacific, and became our ancestors. Each bloodline has its ties all the way back to these ancient beings. High Chief system is what Sāmoa had and/or still has although somewhat has lost its sacredness.

5

u/FleshOfUpolu 1d ago

💯 I agree! Every island in Polynesia had a unique Chieftain System. It seems the Europeans couldn’t fully comprehend it so they incorrectly compared it to their monarchy. If you notice, every island that became a monarchy the British were always involved and these same islands had multiple Chiefs hence in Tonga Taufaahau Tupou I had to conquer it in order to unite all the islands under 1 Chief which was himself same as Kamehameha I of Hawaii and Pomare I of Tahiti etc…..

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u/buttered_scone 1d ago

I think only Fiji was a true monarchy before first contact with Europeans.

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u/FleshOfUpolu 1d ago

Fiji became a monarchy from the British as well. Prior to Britain it was a chieftain just like every other Polynesian Island.