Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III

Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-ā'ana III (4 May 1901 – 29 December 1929) was a paramount chief of Samoa, who became the leader of the country's pro-independence Mau movement during the early 1900s until his death in 1929.[1] Inspired by his Christian beliefs, traditional customs and culture of Samoa, Lealofi III became one of the first leaders of the 20th century to employ nonviolent resistance against colonial rule which laid the foundations for Samoa's successful campaign and independence in 1962.

Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III

Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III in front of the octagonal Mau office in Vaimoso village, near Apia, 1929. (Photograph by Alfred John Tattersall)

He was fatally shot by New Zealand police during a peaceful Mau procession in Apia on 28 December 1929, in what became known as Black Saturday.[2]

Mau carrying the coffin of Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III. Standing to the right wearing a single white stripe on his lava-lava, the Mau uniform, is Mata'afa Faumuina Fiame Mulinu'u I, who later became the President of the Mau.

His tomb, constructed of black stones in a tier is situated in Lepea village beside the main road and 5 minutes from Apia.

His younger brother, Meaole, succeeded him as holder of Tupua Tamasese title and became Tupua Tamasese Meaole. He was instrumental in the final stages of securing Samoa's independence, chairing the national Constitutional Committee before assuming office in 1962 as co-Head of State of the newly independent State of Western Samoa.

Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III's eldest son was Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV (1922–1983), who served two terms as Samoa's prime minister and later, as Deputy Head of State.[3]