Faʻamatai

Faʻamatai is the indigenous political ('chiefly') system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society. It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in both Samoas, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa. The term comprises the prefix faʻa (Samoan for "in the way of") and the word matai (family name or title).

Of central importance in the system are the matai, the holders of family chief titles, and their role in looking after their family. Faʻamatai is the key socio-political system of governance and way of life (faʻa Samoa) in Samoan culture. Inherent in the faʻamatai system is the welfare and well-being of the extended family (ʻaiga) and the protection of family property, consisting most importantly of customary land. About 81% (567,000 acres), is under customary ownership, with the rest under the national government (malo) as public lands with another 4% freehold.

In the Independent State of Samoa, the apex of this system are the four major title holders – Tupua Tamasese, Malietoa, Mataʻafa and Tuimalealiʻifano - known as the tamaʻāiga ("sons of the families") that afford them leadership over the royal families of the Independent State of Samoa. All heads of state of the Independent State of Samoa to date have been drawn from the tamaʻāiga. However, there is no constitutional requirement that heads of state must be a tama'aiga. In addition, these four paramount chiefs are often accorded pāpā titles - titles that indicate sovereignty or leadership over a designated territory or kinship network. These titles are Tui Ātua, Tui Aʻana, Gatoaitele and Vaetamasoalii. The Tui Ātua is currently held by Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi, former prime minister and head of state of the Independent State of Samoa. The Gatoaitele title is currently held by Savea Sano Malifa, a respected journalist and owner of the Samoa Observer newspaper. There are no official holders of the other two pāpā titles.

American Samoa have its own paramount titles known as Fa'asuaga, who are the titular heads of their families and districts -- Le'iato, Faumuina, Mauga, Tuitele, Fuimaono, Satele, Letuli, and Tui Manu'a.

Tama'aiga of Upolu have the same rank as Fa'asuaga of Tutuila and Manu'a in traditional protocols.

The bicameral legislature of American Samoa, also known as the American Samoa Fono, consists of the 21-member House of Representatives and the 18-member Senate. Senators are selected according to Samoan customs by district councils and must be a matai. In the 49-seat of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, all 47 Samoan members are also matai, performing dual roles as chiefs and modern politicians, with the exception of the two seats reserved for non-Samoans.

The 2006 census of Samoa identified 15,783 matai out of a total population of 180,741 (8.7%); 12,589 (79.8%) were male and 3,194 (20.2%) were female.