Key Info

- Goddess of war who was known for her weapon making and military conquests as a mortal

Brief Bio

Nafanua was a historical aliʻi (Paramount Chief/Queen) and toa (warrior) of Samoa from the Sā Tonumaipeʻa clan, who took the four pāpā (district) titles, the leading aliʻi titles of Samoa. After her death she became a goddess in Polynesian religion.

According to Samoan mythology, she was the daughter of Saveasiʻuleo, also considered a demigod, the Aliʻi of Pulotu.  Pulotu was both a historical place, and a place of the afterlife for the warriors of Samoa (comparable to the Viking concept of Valhalla). 

She made the following four weapons from the Toa (also known as Koa) wood. They are as follows: Ta Fesilafaʻi, Faʻauliʻulito, Ulimasao, Faʻamategataua. These weapons are now considered the traditional Samoan weapons, and are used today more so as decorative objects.