By Staff Reporters
Apia, Samoa – 24 October 2024 – It may have been warmer than a cold London drizzle but with a bustling island atmosphere, King Charles and Queen Camilla in satin white, were more drawn by the warm Samoan smiling faces than the mid-October rain.
It’s the first day of their three day State Visit; arriving last evening and after the welcome at the airport, retired to their beach resort on the southwestern side of the main Island Upolu in the Siumu district that flaunts huge banners welcoming King Charles to the Land of Kings.
King Charles and Queen Camilla, with Samoa’s Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa 11 and Faamausili Leinafo during the Royal Ava Ceremony.
The first stop this morning was the traditional welcome Royal Ava Ceremony performed by the village of Samoa’s Head of State, Falelatai in the National University of Samoa Fale. Although customized given the tight time schedule, it did not lose the significance of the subdued and pomp ceremony only performed for guests of this status.
The Ava Ceremony underlies the highest honour of welcome to a visiting guest as well as well of acceptance, recognition and prayers for reciprocal health and wellbeing.
King Charles was accorded the first Ava Cup and followed by the Head of State with the final cup given to the Prime Minister.
King Charles receiving the first Ava Cup.
Both the Head of State and the Prime Minister acknowledged their Majesties for affording Samoa the honour by making the visit and wished them well for their stay in Samoa and when they return on Saturday.
After lunch, the Royals visited the Samoa Tourism Village and met a wide array of Samoan people and a showcase of their work in daily life.
Organized by the Women in Business Incorporated, the group ranged from weavers of fine mat, sinnet makers, tapa cloth makers, wood carvers and handicraft makers, tattooists, primary school children, people with disabilities, and rugby players who performed the War Dance for the royals.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio who welcomed the Royals said the wide selection of the group was representative of inclusiveness that is part and parcel of the Samoan way of life.
The Royals took time to meet and talk to the people, shook hands and took an interest in tapa cloth making, handicrafts, how the sleeping mats are made and used on a stone or concrete floor “that may contribute to the Samoans physicality.”
King Charles inspects a traditionally made and handwoven Samoan fine mat while the Queen looks at a straw hat.
The King and Queen also took interest in the significance of the Samoan fine, not only its cultural value but as an artifact of reconciliation that is used in the age old custom of ifoga which is now used as mitigation factor in modern law in Samoa and certain jurisdictions such as New Zealand.
Despite the rain, the Royals took to umbrellas to continue their tour of the events outside the fale and braved several group shots with the people there under the rain.
Images that will be for posterity for the locals who were captured in the shots with the King and Queen.
Also today, the Royals visited the major mangrove reserve at Moata’a village, signed a Commonwealth education agreement with the National University of Samoa and also visited the Le Pupū Pu’ē National Park.
Tomorrow, His Majesty will officially open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit, 0930 at the Multipurpose Gymnasium at Tuana’imato.
