Uvea (Wallis and Futuna)

For the island in Wallis & Futuna, see Wallis (island). For the island and municipality in New Caledonia, see Ouvéa Island and Ouvéa. For the languages, see East Uvean and West Uvean.

ʻUvea (Wallisian: ʻUvea, French: Royaume coutumier de Uvea) is one of the three official chiefdoms (Royaume coutumier, lit. 'customary kingdom') of the French territory of Wallis and Futuna (the other two being Sigave and Alo) in Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean.

Kingdom of Uvea ʻPuleʻaga Hau ʻo ʻUvea
Chiefdom
Flag Seal
Wallis island (Kingdom of Uvea) showing the 3 districts
Coordinates: 13°17′S 176°12′W
Country	France
Territory	Wallis and Futuna
Island	Wallis
Capital	Mata Utu
Government
• Type	Constitutional monarchy within an overseas collectivity
• King	Patalione Kanimoa
• Prime Minister	Setefano Hanisi
Area
• Total	159 km2 (61 sq mi)
Population  (2018 census)
• Total	8,333
• Density	52/km2 (140/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+12
No. of districts	3
No. of municipalities	21

Map of Wallis island

Geography

Overview

ʻUvea encompasses the whole of Wallis and the surrounding islets. The total area of the kingdom is 96 square kilometres (37 sq mi) with a population of 8,333 spread over three districts. The capital and largest village is Mata Utu, situated on the east coast with a population of 1,029.

Administrative division

The chiefdom counts 3 districts and 21 municipalities:^[1]

Districts

District	Population (Census 2018)
Hihifo	1,942
Hahake	3,415
Mu'a	2,976

Municipal villages

Village	Population	District
Alele	524	Hihifo
Vaitupu	406	Hihifo
Mala'e	504	Hihifo
Vailala	341	Hihifo
Tufu'one	167	Hihifo
Mata Utu	1,029	Hahake
Liku	605	Hahake
Falaleu	572	Hahake
Aka'aka	474	Hahake
Ahoa	436	Hahake
Ha'afuasia	299	Hahake
Utufua	602	Mua
Halalo	471	Mua
Vaimalau	371	Mua
Lavegahau	330	Mua
Te'esi	216	Mua
Mala'efo'ou	171	Mua
Gahi	249	Mua
Tepa	270	Mua
Ha'atofo	197	Mua
Kolopopo	99	Mua

Other villages^[2]

Village	Population	District
Alofivai	437	Hahake
Fineveke	?	Mua

History

Talietumu archaeological site

Uvean flag between 1860 and 1896

ʻUvea has probably been inhabited by Polynesians since the 15th century CE and was then part of the Tuʻi Tonga Empire. The two archaeological sites of Talietumu and Tonga Toto are remains from that period.

The kingdom of ʻUvea was founded sometimes in the 15th century and the monarch was titled Tuʻi ʻUvea (king).^[3]

April 5, 1887 the island became a French protectorate after queen Amelia Tokagahahau Aliki signed a treaty with France but keeping her royal powers.

In 1888 Sigave and Alo also signed the treaty with France thus creating the "Wallis and Futuna Islands Protectorate".

In 1961 the status was upgraded to being a French overseas territory (territoire d'outre-mer) and in 2003 Wallis and Futuna became a French overseas collectivity (collectivité d'outre-mer), but the local royal powers continue.

See also

• Wallis Island
• List of kings of Uvea
• Dance of Wallis and Futuna
• Customary kingdoms of Wallis and Futuna
• Royal Palace of Uvea