Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who holds the high chief title of Seiuli, is returning to Samoa this year. Photo / 123rf
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who holds the high chief title of Seiuli, is returning to Samoa this year. Photo / 123rf
One of Samoa’s most famous sons, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has announced he will be making a return trip to the islands two decades after being bestowed one of the country’s highest chiefly titles.
The 52-year-old made the surprise announcement on social media this week - sending a buzz of excitement among local Samoans and fans from around the world.
Sharing a special video with fans, the clip shows a series of images; including the wrestler-actor’s Samoan family tree - through his mother Ata Maivia - and explaining the time he travelled to the motherland in 2004.
Besides having my three daughters, my Samoan High Chief Title, High Chief Seiuli is one of the greatest honor of my life. I gave my word and made a commitment 20 years ago to his Highness High Chief Maleatoa Tunamafili II and to our people of Samoa, that I would “leave my boyish ways behind” (well, I try 😅) and carry my Samoan, Polynesian, and Black culture around the world with great respect, pride, kindness, MANA, humility, and warrior spirit. Fa’a Samoa (the Samoan way) After 20yrs of proudly carrying our culture with me around the world, I can’t wait to soon return back home to Samoa. I already have chills just thinking about it 🇼🇸❤️💪🏾 Until then, I’ll come back home to @WWE tomorrow night as we make history on @Netflix and begin a new and exciting era. Tomorrow night is dedicated to my grandfather, the High Chief Peter Maivia, my grandmother, Lia Maivia and my dad, Rocky “Soulman” Johnson and my ancestors who have ALL paved the way. ~ High Chief Seiuli
“The final boss and also, in his homeland, the proud holder of one of the highest titles in all of Samoa: high chief Seiuli.”
Johnson’s voice then pops up, as the video shows footage of Samoa.
Wrestler turned Hollywood actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson has announced he is visiting Samoa this year. Photo / Supplied
“I flew to Samoa with my family at the request of his highness, head of state, the paramount high chief Malietoa Tanumafili II - where I had the great honour and privilege of participating in a beautiful ceremony.
“And quite an emotional ceremony, where his highness the head of state bestowed upon me the high chief title of high chief Seiuli,” Johnson says.
“His words were to me: ‘You are a son of the King. You are a son of Samoa.
“From this day forward, you will leave your boyish ways behind and you will take with you our Samoan culture and our Polynesian culture wherever you go around the world.”
Malietoa Tanumafili II was one of the longest serving heads of state when he died in 2007, aged 94.
Malietoa Tanumafili II served as Samoa’s head of state from the country’s independence in 1962 until his death in 2007. He was a very well-respected statesman in the South Pacific region.
Samoa’s current head of state is Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Eti Sualauvi II.
Although The Rock - who also lived in New Zealand as a young boy - did not reveal exactly when he will be travelling to Samoa this year, he wrote in the post: “I can’t wait to soon return back home to Samoa. I already have chills just thinking about it.”
He said other than being a father to his three daughters, his chiefly title is one of the greatest honours of his life.
“I gave my word and made a commitment 20 years ago to [Malietoa]...and to our people of Samoa, that I would leave my boyish ways behind (well, I try) and carry my Samoan, Polynesian and black culture around the world with great respect, pride, kindness, mana, humility and warrior spirit.”
Johnson made the announcement as he returned to his other home - WWE - which made its debut on Netflix and where it begins a new era in wrestling programming.
Johnson made a special dedication to his late grandparents, high chief Peter and Lia Maivia, his father Rocky “Soulman” Johnson and the ancestors who all paved the way, he said.
