The fa’avae or the constitution is central to the operation of the village council. An integral
component of the village fa’avae which is called the fa’alupega establishes the status and
roles of each matai in the village council. The village constitution is unwritten: it consists
mainly of the beliefs and values of that particular village and its rules approved over time as
well as precedents. The aualuma (women’s committee) traditionally comprised girls and
women who belong to the constituent families of the village by birth. This included women
matai and female relatives of male matai, but not their wives. This practice was an attempt to
avoid conflict of interest as the aualuma is advisory to the council which is the ultimate
decision making body. The taulele’a or aumaga (young men without a chiefly title) serve the
village council and to some extent the aualuma if there is a need.