16 Mar 2009

Village council in Samoa turns down plea for forgiveness in a traditional ceremony

11:54 am on 16 March 2009

The village council or Ali'i and Faipule of Vaimoso village in Samoa has refused to accept a formal traditional Ifoga, seeking forgiveness by the family of a former government minister, and deputy parliamentary speaker, Vaiotu Mulitalo Siafausa Vui, who is banished from the village.

The village council instead wants the former minister of Health,

Broadcasting and Telecommunications to leave the village of Vaimoso together with his wife and children.

The Ifoga is a traditional ritual in Samoa where the offender appears covered with a fine mat and this were performed by Vaiotu Mulitalo and his wife including members of the family as well as two church ministers.

The former minister has breached village protocols in bestowing one of the high ranking matai titles of the village recently.

That, along with other differences, are the main reasons behind the village's banishment.

Meanwhile the Lands and Titles court proceedings on the matter last Friday has been adjourned after the presiding deputy president has urged the parties involved to reconcile and find peace using traditional Samoan cultures