A'ana

Overview

The Aana District comprises approximately 18 villages from Faleasiu in the North to Matautu in the South. The district encompasses the western portion of Upolu except for the extreme Western promontory, belonging to Aiga i le Tai district. Traditionally the northern part of the district was known as 'Itu Alofi', (Gathering side or Assembly side), as the Northern villages held a lot of the political power in historical times, whilst the Southern side was known as 'Itu Tufanua', (the backward side or the uncivilised side). It is a common occurrence in Samoa that the northern areas of both Upolu and Savaii usually held a lot of the political power especially as many of the principal villages being located in the Northern areas. Traditionally the principal village is Leulumoega, in ancient times the gathering place for the entire district. The villages are located at the coast with the exception of small inland enclaves. The coastal plain provides a lot of good land for settlement, being located near the coast for food as well as having the main Government road passing through the district. Also located within the district is Faleolo International Airport, the main airport within Samoa. The district although having no industrial business or enterprises, contains the usual family operated stores as well as one petrol station in Fasitoouta. The mountain inland is Mt Tafua Upolu, with a number of foothills at its base. The lagoon s around the entire Aana district is encompassed by the great reef that surrounds the entire island of Upolu. The soil is mostly volcanic as the past testifies, many of the old German plantation lands are located within Aana, as the soil is fertile.

Historically, A'ana was one of the predominant powers in Samoa. The paramount chiefly title is Tuiaana, whose residence is Nuuausala in Leulumoega. Being one of the main centres of Tumua, Aana was one of the most premier orator groups in Samoa. Ever since the end of the Tongan period of dominance, Aana held a lot of the political power. This began with the kidnap of the aristocratic linked infant Tamalelagi, by the orators Tutuila and Ape, (Fasitootai and Fasitoouta respectively). Tamalelagi was bestowed with the Tuiaana with assistance of the warrior goddess Nafanua and from him are descended many of the high ranking chiefs of Samoa, especially the four tama an aiga titles. His daughter, Salamasina is recognised as one of Samoa's most celebrated rulers, having been the first person ever to unite the papa titles, Tuiaana, Tuiatua, Gatoaitele, Vaetamasoalii. This made her Tafaifa being the most paramount chief in Samoa especially in Upolu. Through her many of the ancient and royal lineages trace descent from her. Her residence was at Nuuausala in Leulumoega and with her royal linkage, she made Aana powerful. The prestige and power of Aana however vanished having not paying heed to Nafanua's instructions to be prepared for the day when she came to install the government at Leulumoega. Having been badly received by Leulumoega, she returned to Savaii via Manono and instead gave the government to Leiataua of Manono who therefore passed his government to his son, the famous Tamafaiga. Tamafaiga's assassination by the men of Fasitoouta initiated the Great Aana War of 1828 - 1830. This involved Aiga i le tai, the northern districts of Savaii as well as Tuamasaga as Malietoa was akin with Tamafaiga and was obliged to seek vengeance. This meant devastation for Aana, especially the Itu Alofi. This coincided with the arrival of John Williams in Sapapalii in Savaii and was a fitting end to the great ancient wars of Samoa. The many prisoners caught of Aana were burned in a great bonfire lit at Maota in Fasitootai and ended the supremacy of Aana in Samoa.

At a national level, the district is home to one of the four Tama-a-Aiga titles in the Tuimalealiifano title based at Falelatai. Aana is divided into 5 electoral constituencies.