|396x396px]] Tupua (known as Tupua Tamasese) is a state dynasty and one of the four paramount chiefly titles of Samoa, known as the Tama-a-Aiga or 'Sons of the Great Families'). It is the titular head of one of Samoa's two great royal families - Sā Tupua, the lineage of Queen Salamasina. The 'Tupua' refers to Salamasina's descendant, King Tupua Fuiavailili, who was the first to unite both of Salamasina's descent lines in his personage and ascended to the Kingship of Samoa in c.1550, upon the death of his adoptive father, King Muagututi'a. Tupua Fuiavailili was adopted by his aunt, Fenunu'ivao (daughter of Leutele and wife of King Muagututi'a) and named as the King's successor. Tupua's rise also led to the first usage of the term "Tama-a-'aiga" by the orator polity of Leulumoega and Lufilufi, in reference to his many genealogical connections to the great families of Ātua. The 'Tamasese' part refers to his descendant Tupua Tamasese Titimaea, whose prowess in battle and generosity won favour with many of his followers and whose actions restored the Salamasina line's prestige. All subsequent Tupua title holders have thus carried the two names together since then. The seat of the Tupua Tamasese title is at Mulinu'u ma Sepolata'emo in Lufilufi. Three political families make up Sa Tupua: Aiga o Mavaega, Aiga Sā Tuala and Aiga Sā Fenunuivao. The Aiga Sā Fenunuivao of Falefa and Salani holds authority and custodianship of the title, deciding who from among the heirs it is bestowed upon. The current holder is His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the former Prime Minister and former Head of State of Samoa. Royalty: The Tama-a-'aiga & Pāpā Titles Tama-a-Aiga titles are the maximal lineage titles of Samoa. These titles are often associated with Pāpā titles, paramount district titles which affords the holder authority over an entire region or sovereignty over all of Samoa (if one acquires all four pāpā). The field of contention for the papa titles and tafa'ifa was confined to the leading members of two families, Sa Tupua and Sa Malietoa, under whom all Samoa is united. The leading tides of these two family lineages were called tama'aiga (sons of families). By mid-19th century, the tama-a-aiga Tupua Tamasese of Sa Tupua and Malietoa of Sa Malietoa were joined by two more titles Mata'afa and Tuimaleali'ifano as the four highest titleholders of Samoa. All (except Sa Malietoa) are descended from Queen