A successor to the title of Malietoa in Samoa is to be decided by the three clans of the Malietoa family on Christmas Day.
A spokesman for one of the clans, Papalii Siliva Taomua, has told the Samoa Observer they hope to name someone to become the next Malietoa using tofa loloto or wisdom.
There has been long running controversy including legal action over the issue.
The most recent meeting, late last month, drew more than a hundred heirs of the three clans, Malietoa Moli, Malietoa Gatuitasina and Malietoa Talavou.
Despite the numbers, no agreement was reached on the next title holder but a decision was reached to meet again in December.
The title has been vacant since the death of Samoa's former Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II.
