APIA, Samoa — Bare-chested warriors joined foreign dignitaries yesterday in bidding a final farewell to Samoa's head of state, Malietoa Tanumafili II, one of the world's longest reigning leaders, who was buried amid traditional ceremonies in the South Pacific nation.

Malietoa, fondly referred to as "the father of Samoa" by speakers at his funeral service in the capital, Apia, died May 11 in Tupua Tamasese National Hospital, aged 94.

He had led his South Pacific island nation ever since it gained independence from New Zealand in 1962 and had headed his chiefly clan since 1940.

Initially the joint head of state with another powerful chief, Tupua Tamasese Meaole, when Samoa became independent, Malietoa succeeded to sole head of state a year later when Tupua Tamasese died.

He held the post for life. His successor, however, will be elected by the legislature to a five-year term as stipulated in Samoa's Constitution.

Among foreign dignitaries at Malietoa's funeral and burial were the King of Tonga, George Tupou V, New Zealand Maori King Tuhetia, the heads of state of Australia and New Zealand, and officials from Fiji, Tuvalu, American Samoa, Niue, Japan, China and French Polynesia.

Warriors wearing traditional woven mourning mats and orange lei surrounded the open-sided funeral fale (house) sheltering Malietoa's red-and-blue flag-draped coffin during the service attended by thousands.

"While this means the passing of our dearly beloved father ... he is a hero who has put the sword in the sea and God calls him forward forever," Rev. Oka Feolo, chairman of the Samoan Council of Churches told mourners.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said "Samoa's deep grief is shared ... by all these people" gathered to farewell Malietoa and acclaim "his long and valuable services" to the nation.

He praised the late head of state as "the personification of Samoan peace and unity."

Following the service a contingent of official pallbearers carried the flag-draped coffin for burial in the Malietoa area of the chiefly cemetery at Mulinnu, near the nation's Parliament.

Malietoa was the last survivor of a generation of South Pacific leaders that included Fiji's late president, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, New Zealand's late Maori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, and the late King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

He was laid to rest beside his late father in a family vault.

He is survived by two sons and two daughters. His wife, Lili Tunu, died in 1986.