Nafanua was a historical ali'i (chief/queen) and toa (warrior) of Samoa from the Sā Tonumaipe'ā clan, who took four pāpā (district) titles, the leading ali'i titles of Samoa. After her death she became a goddess in Polynesian religion.
There are historical and mythological traditions about Nafanua's family and life. She reportedly played a crucial role in the civil wars between the districts of eastern and western Savai’i.
Life
Family
According to Samoan mythology, she was the daughter of Saveasi'uleo, also considered a demigod, the Ali'i of Pulotu. Pulotu was both a historical place, and a place of the afterlife for the warriors of Samoa (comparable to the Viking concept of Valhalla). In one tradition, Nafanua's mother was Tilafaiga the sister of Taema, the legendary conjoined twins, whom brought the malu tattoo here in Samoa.
Adulthood
Nafanua was bestowed the title of Toa/Toa Tama'ita'i (or Warrior Princess) for avenging her uncle and bringing peace to Savai'i through military victories. Her village was located on the western side of the island of Savai’i.
During Nafanua's time, the eastern and western sides of Savai’i were engaged in a war for the land and title of the entire island. In Samoan culture, a family is more prestigious if they own a lot of land; and family members (especially males) receive greater titles and a bigger share of the land. According to oral tradition, when High Chief Lilomaiava caught anyone from the east side on the west side of the island, he would force them to climb a coconut tree upside-down as a public punishment
One of the villagers that Lilomaiava caught was Ta'i'i, the uncle of Nafanua and the older brother of Saveasi’uleo. Ta’i'i was punished and was forced to climb the coconut tree feet first. As he was climbing the coconut tree, the pain and humiliation caused him to sigh loudly. Ta'i'i's sighs were overheard by Saveasi'uleo and Nafanua. This made Savesi’uleo angry; consequently he told Nafanua to prepare for war and to cut down the Toa tree. The wood from the tree was to be used to make weapons to drive away Lilomaiava and his army.
She made the following four weapons from the Toa (also known as Koa) wood. They are as follows:
1. Ta Fesilafa'i - This was her first and primary weapon and she used it most of the time during the battle. It's shaped like a wide hook facing side out and has three to four pointed sharp teeth facing side ways. During wartime, this weapon is plain and not painted or decorated.
2. Fa'auli'ulito - This is the weapon that Nafanua had made and given to Matuna and Matuna to use while fighting. She asked them to attack the enemy from the side, so that she could meet the enemy in the middle and try to reach a compromise of peace and harmony. She waned Matuna and Matuna to be careful as it was difficult for her to spot the enemy. As for the shape of the weapon, it looks like a plain stick but has a rounded, thick, heavy and wide edge.
3. Ulimasao - This is a weapon is considered a stand-by weapon to be used to end war and bring peace. The word "Ulimasao" also means driving safely. It is shaped like a canoe paddle with round, smooth sides and one pointed edge.
4. Fa'amategataua - This weapon is a second reserve weapon and is considered to be the most dangerous weapon of them all. In fact, according to the late Silivelio Suafo'a (orator of this legend), this war club was never meant to be used. It was fortunate that Nafanua did not need to use the fourth weapon called “Weapon of Death”. Legend has it that tt is so powerful that if used it would kill everyone including her family. This weapon is shaped like a spear but has teeth on both sides. The number of teeth varies from five to seven.
These weapons are now considered the traditional Samoan weapons, and are used today more so as decorative objects, in remembrance of our history.
The war ended because Nafanua’s apana (shirt) was blown upward by the wind revealing her breasts. Up to this time the men did not know she was a woman. When they discovered that she was a woman, they decided to end the war. They felt humiliated because there was only one woman among several men fighting the war. This concludes the story about the Goddess of War, Nafanua, who was famous throughout Samoa, especially on the island of Savai'i.