KEY POINTS:
I can't help thinking that the savages in us have reawaken since the death of our beloved Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Thousands of Samoan men are roaming the streets in black ie (traditional skirt) with their faces painted black and heads tied with red bands signifying
that the warriors, the protectors of the King, are present.
They come armed with machetes, axes, guns and knives, shouting and chanting praises and sorrow for the passing of the King.
Traditionally the men guarding the body of Malietoa can strike out whoever disrupts the cultural presentations or get in the way of a procession, and their mere presence scares whoever has such intentions.
In all my years of existence as a Samoan, I have never seen such a passionate display of cultural affection, pride and sorrow at the same time.
It is indeed a sight to behold and an experience to be had, to see the people of Samoa come together to mourn the loss of the nation's father.
But it has and will not be smooth running from here on.
Already the western idea of guarding a leader has taken precedence over the cultural warriors.
The police, instead of the traditional guards, lead the procession from the funeral home today to Malietoa's home, much to the dismay of the Chiefs.
Government workers, students and members of the public lined the streets to await the procession.
Kings, Prime Ministers, ministers and high level officials from different countries have descended upon Samoa to pay their respects to the third longest serving Head of State in the world, the ever humble and genteel Malietoa.
As the funeral slowly nears closing, I cannot help but wonder, what will happen after he is buried?
Seeing the savages in us reawaken in death, will the same passion be shown by supporters of the two remaining Paramount Chiefs, Tupua Tamasese and Tuimalealiifano, when one is chosen to be the next Head of State?
Cabinet will be mulling over the decision within the next few weeks and I suspect the decision will be made before Independence Day on the 1st of June - just two weeks away.
Speaking of Cabinet, I found out while driving through McDonalds a few hours ago that Members of Cabinet ordered 50 hamburgers with fries and drinks to go with it for their meeting up in the Government building.
A McDonalds employee told me that Cabinet orders about the same amount every time they meet up in the square office, which is weekly.
"This is a small order compared to what they usually take up there," she said.
Now here's the funny part: there are only 12 Ministers of Cabinet, now lets say they have a Secretary each joining them for the meal, that's still only 24 people, does that mean they are eating two full combo meals each?
And who's having three?
Following up from a village snippet last week, a source from the village of Safua has informed me that the cutlery cupboard which caused a stir amongst villagers has been safely returned to the house of the Chiefs.
Due to a breakdown in communication between the Chiefs and the Womens Committee, the cupboard was taken for an unnecessary ride on a pickup truck which caused a shouting match between villagers. It was then silently returned to its original position at the corner of the Chiefs house.
It seemed in this one battle, the Womens Committee won in the end.
It really goes to prove what the late Head of State, Malietoa once said: "In Samoa, no one person is King, because all Samoans are Kings and Queens."
Malietoa, the man who drove around town in a golf cart, was a great leader, a humble man with a great spirit and a lot to give to the Samoan people.
He saw Samoa through political turmoil, religious evolutions, social changes and cultural modification.
His 45 years as Head of State saw a tremendous change in Samoa, but somehow in the midst of all that, he still remained calm, collected and humble.
Although he was not visible in daily State affairs his presence was comforting and provided overall guidance to Samoa's journey.
His humility contributed to peace and stability in Samoa, not only on the international scale but in traditional Samoan circles.
Malietoa was not just our Head of State, he was 'the father of modern Samoa' in the words of Helen Clark - but he was also the father of traditional Samoa.
His death will be a significant event in the history of Samoa, but his life will remain a legacy that will linger in the hearts of all Samoans forever.
Ia manuia lau malaga Malietoa Tanumafili II.
