 His royal house was made up of four families Matavai,Silliaumua,Tupuola and Fagafua,the last remaining dynasty in the western part of Samoa.Congregationalists while most other Samoan Christians backed the Sā Talavou-Sā Natūitasina-Matā‘afa parties.Perhaps the most adamant and well-known opponent of Tanumafili’s claim was Lauaki Namulau‘ulu Mamoe of Sāfotulafai, Savaii, a famed orator who carried the Tongan matapule title Lauaki (Gifford 149).He argued that not only was Tanumafili too young and inexperienced to rule, but that his installment as Malietoa was illegitimate and invalid according to Samoan custom.