MAOTA O PULENU’U – As it once was but not anymore
Once there was a ‘Maota o Pulenu’u.’ It was a traditional meeting house where the ‘pulenu’u’ or village mayors gather to polish up on their leadership roles for national development.
The building was also a popular ‘go to’ facility for holding state and public functions with easy access in the centre of Apia.
The ground where the building was built on was once held in reverence by cultural oratory as the ‘Malae i Matagialalua’ or the ground where the blowing wind splits into two separate directions.
Modern Apia, however, caught up with the aging structure, abandoned and left in a run down state, by oversight and neglect.
The hallowed ground is now a boulevard, designed as part of a rolling beautification makeover of the town waterfront.
The beauty project runs the length of the township along the seawall.
The plan is to make Apia look pretty and inviting for leisurely strolls for all to enjoy – tourists included.
The ‘pulenu’u’ themselves should have little to complain about at not having a building to claim as their own.
They were bundled out to share a sprawling ‘palagi’ building for office work and meetings, next to the Savalalo fish and flea market.
What better company to work alongside than the village women committees!
These are the women who share complimentary roles of leadership in the villages as the ‘men.
With the men and women leadership working hand in hand, village developments and welfare should be in good, harmonious, working hands.
….and all lives happily every after.