Tamafaiga

Tamafaiga or Tamafainga (died 1829)^[1] was a Samoan king.

Tamafaiga was a war-priest from Manono Island who usurped the throne after the death of Safeofafine.^[1] He came to power after defeating Mataʻafa in 1827 or 1828.^[2] He ruled as a tyrant, and was worshiped as a god.^[1] The missionary John Williams reported that "he was the man in whom the spirit of the gods dwelt... the terror of all the inhabitants".^[3] He was killed by the people of the village of Fasito'o Uta after attempting to claim a daughter of their high chief as his hundredth wife.^[4] Following his death Malietoa decimated Aʻana as punishment, and eventually claimed the kingship.^[2]