|
Vuanirewa
The Vuanirewa is the ruling tribe (yavusa) of the Lau Islands, a scattered group of more than a hundred islands (16 inhabited) and reefs along the eastern edge of Fiji. Origins The members of this clan all hail from the village of Tubou on the island of Lakeba and from their original roots in Nayau. The Lakeba faction are the descendants of Kalouyalewa Kalouyalewa (pronounced ) (born on Nayau) was a Fijian High Chief. Kalouyalewa was a son of the Chief Naosara (Tuivanuakula II) and his wife, ''Adi'' Gelegeleavanua, and thus a grandson of Chief Kubunavanua II, who was very famous. He was born ... whom now form four noble households that make up the tribe. These four noble households are Matailakeba, Vatuwaqa, Koroicumu and Naivi and all claim descent from the first High Chief of the dynasty, Niumataiwalu, a grandson of Kalouyalewa. A shift in power Naivi is traditionally the eldest of the households; however due to historic power struggles, Naivi and Koroicumu were ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vuanirewa
The Vuanirewa is the ruling tribe (yavusa) of the Lau Islands, a scattered group of more than a hundred islands (16 inhabited) and reefs along the eastern edge of Fiji. Origins The members of this clan all hail from the village of Tubou on the island of Lakeba and from their original roots in Nayau. The Lakeba faction are the descendants of Kalouyalewa Kalouyalewa (pronounced ) (born on Nayau) was a Fijian High Chief. Kalouyalewa was a son of the Chief Naosara (Tuivanuakula II) and his wife, ''Adi'' Gelegeleavanua, and thus a grandson of Chief Kubunavanua II, who was very famous. He was born ... whom now form four noble households that make up the tribe. These four noble households are Matailakeba, Vatuwaqa, Koroicumu and Naivi and all claim descent from the first High Chief of the dynasty, Niumataiwalu, a grandson of Kalouyalewa. A shift in power Naivi is traditionally the eldest of the households; however due to historic power struggles, Naivi and Koroicumu were ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tui Nayau
''Tu’i Nayau'' is the title held by the paramount chief of the Lau Islands in Fiji and is synonymous with the title holders over lordship of these islands. When translated, ''Tu’i Nayau'' means "Lord of Nayau", an island north of Lakeba, the latter accepted by many to be the chief island in the Lauan archipelago. Prior to being installed as ''Tu’i Nayau'', the claimant must first be confirmed upon the decision of the noble households making up the Vuanirewa clan and then installed '' Sau'' or High Chief of Lau. Not every ''Sau'' has been installed ''Tu’i Nayau''. Origins of the title ''Tu’i Nayau'' was originally an independent title referring specifically to the overlord of Nayau, then separate from the Lakeba State. The earliest oral records suggest that the progenitor of the leading family of Nayau stemmed from Naosara, celebrated chief who had won the infamous Cici Turaga, but was not accepted by his older brothers and relatives as he was the youngest in that race. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Niumataiwalu
Niumataiwalu was a Verata high chief who was the father of Roko Rasolo and his siblings who became the Vuanirewa siblings or clan in Lau. The name Niumataiwalu, translated as 'I came first at Walu beach' was in memory of his grandfather-Tuivanuakula 2 or Tuinaosara (also known as Kubunavanua) for winning the leadership race competition among Rokomautu's seventeen (17) grandchildren at Walu beach, Verata. He was the father of Uluilakeba 1 Qoma was the elder brother of Delaivugalei; the latter the father of Niumataiwalu. Both were sons of Kalouyalewa, who was the brother of Buivaroro (the second Tui Nayau), and they had one sister, Adi Keletu was married to Noco in Rewa. Kalouyalewa's father was Tuivanuakula 2 and otherwise known as Tuinaosara. Niumataiwalu killed his uncle Qoma and his sons, in retribution for the murder of his own parents and sibling. This series of events eventually paved the way for his descendants overlordship of both these islands and the rest of Lau. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Finau Mara
Ratu Alifereti Finau Mara (1957– 15 April 2020) was a Fijian lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He was best known as the eldest son of former Prime Minister and President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Since December 2001, he held the official position of Roving Ambassador and High Commissioner, representing Fiji's interests in Pacific Island nations. It was reported on 13 March 2006 that he had been chosen to succeed his late father as Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands, but in 2009 the succession was still unclear, with Mara reportedly refusing to discuss the issue with the village elders. Education and career Mara graduated from New Zealand's University of Otago with an LLB (Law) degree in 1983. This was followed by an LLM (Master's degree in Law) from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom in 1986. Meanwhile, he had served as a Legal Officer in the Attorney General's Chamber from 1984, rising to Principal Legal Officer in 1986. In 1987, he was appointed Fiji's Chief Admin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kamisese Mara
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, (6 May 1920 – 18 April 2004) was a Fijian politician, who served as Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970, when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and, apart from one brief interruption in 1987, the first Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992. He subsequently served as President from 1993 to 2000. Early life and education: 1920 to 1950 Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Uluilakeba Mara was born on 6 May 1920, in Sawana, Lomaloma, Vanuabalavu in the archipelago of Lau, the son of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba, Tui Nayau and head of the chiefly Vuanirewa clan of Tubou, Lakeba and Lusiana Qolikoro from the Fonolahi Family of the Yavusa Tonga clan in Sawana. Fonolahi has lineage to the Tongan royalty and was also descended from an English missionary. Mara's title, '' Ratu'', which means "Chief," was hereditary; as the hereditary Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands, he held the titles of '' Tui Lau'' in 1963, and '' Tui Nayau kei Sau ni Vanua ko ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kalouyalewa
Kalouyalewa (pronounced ) (born on Nayau) was a Fijian High Chief. Kalouyalewa was a son of the Chief Naosara (Tuivanuakula II) and his wife, ''Adi'' Gelegeleavanua, and thus a grandson of Chief Kubunavanua II, who was very famous. He was born on the island of Nayau. His elder brother was named Buivaroro. Their sister was Chiefess Keletu. Kalouyalewa went on the island of Lakeba, where he married into the island’s principal chiefly families. His first wife was named Sivoki. She was a member of Cekena, the dynasty then holding the title '' Sau''. They had two sons, Delaivugalei and Tongatapu. Second wife of Kalouyalewa was Chiefess Tagiamarama, who bore him a son called Qoma. Kalouyalewa’s sons would eventually play a crucial role in enabling the Vuanirewa Dynasty to succeed to the titles '' Roko Sau'' and '' Tui Nayau''.Mara, Ratu Sir Kamisese: ''The Pacific Way: A Memoir''. University of Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western Un ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Matawalu
{{unreferenced, date=December 2009 Matawalu was a Fijian chief. He was the son of Niumataiwalu—first ''Roko Sau'' of Lau Islands—and Uma of Nukunuku. Matawalu became the fourth ''Roko Sau'', ruler of the Lau Islands, after the death of his half-brother Rasolo, but never succeeded to the title of '' Tu'i Nayau''. Matawalu had been exiled to Nayau by his elder half-brother Uluilakeba I. When Uluilakeba was killed by Bauan forces, Matawalu led the counter invading force for Rasolo at the request of Lakeba‘s people. It is said that Matawalu despised the Tongans, his sister-in-law Laufitu's people and their growing influence in Lakeba. On succeeding Rasolo, Matawalu removed himself to self-exile on Bau Island. Matawalu’s half-nephew Nayacatabu, son of Uluilakeba, was left as regent in Matawalu’s absence, but was killed in a foray against the neighbouring island of Cicia. It was during this period that Dranivia seized power and declared himself ''Roko Sau''. His claim to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Qoma
Delailoa (born on Lakeba) was a Fijian High Chief. He had an instrumental role in maintaining the fortunes of the Vuanirewa under the reign of his relative Malani. Family Delailoa was a son of the Chief Qoma and grandson of Chief Kalouyalewa and his wife Tagiamarama. Mother of Delailoa was a wife of Qoma. Delailoa's lineage relocated and remained on the island of Nayau. Delailoa's descendants still live on Nayau. His relative was Malani. Delailoa's spouse is not known, but he had two sons – Lokininayau and Uluinayau, and one daughter – Vakadewa. One son of Delailoa warned Malani of Chief Dranivia's impending plans. Biography Chief Niumataiwalu killed his uncle Qoma and tried to kill Delailoa, who survived in this way – he was saved when his mother's people from Waciwaci in Lakeba, hid him from Niumataiwalu. Delailoa would later be welcomed back by Niumataiwalu after Niumataiwalu realised that upon his impending death by the Bauans after impregnating the Radini ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Delailoa
Delailoa (born on Lakeba) was a Fijian High Chief. He had an instrumental role in maintaining the fortunes of the Vuanirewa under the reign of his relative Malani. Family Delailoa was a son of the Chief Qoma and grandson of Chief Kalouyalewa and his wife Tagiamarama. Mother of Delailoa was a wife of Qoma. Delailoa's lineage relocated and remained on the island of Nayau. Delailoa's descendants still live on Nayau. His relative was Malani. Delailoa's spouse is not known, but he had two sons – Lokininayau and Uluinayau, and one daughter – Vakadewa. One son of Delailoa warned Malani of Chief Dranivia's impending plans. Biography Chief Niumataiwalu killed his uncle Qoma and tried to kill Delailoa, who survived in this way – he was saved when his mother's people from Waciwaci in Lakeba, hid him from Niumataiwalu. Delailoa would later be welcomed back by Niumataiwalu after Niumataiwalu realised that upon his impending death by the Bauans after impregnating the Radin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Uluilakeba I
{{Unreferenced, date=October 2008 Uluilakeba was the eldest son of Niumataiwalu. He did not succeed to his fathers title, first since his father was not known to have been installed to the title of either Tui Nayau or Sau ni Vanua ko Lau, second in the test of feat that had ensued to select the candidate for the title of Tui Nayau he was known to have been one of the two sons of Niumataiwalu who had backed down from the unnerving jump that was put to them by the Bete. In that test of feat it was said as related orally that he as an excuse to allay any possible accusation of cowardice on his part said that since he was the eldest his claim to the title was already established by birthright and thence there was no need for him to prove himself. Rasolo then on the account of his elder brothers excuse, the second eldest of the three then took up the challenge, after Matawalu the youngest had also surrendered up any idea of contesting. After his unsuccessful bid to the title it was la ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lakeba
Lakeba (pronounced ) is an island in Fiji’s Southern Lau Archipelago; the provincial capital of Lau is located here. The island is the tenth largest in Fiji, with a land area of nearly 60 square kilometers.Steadman (2006) It is fertile and well watered, and encircled by a 29-kilometer road. Its closest neighbors are Aiwa and Nayau. Separated by deep sea from the latter but only by shallow waters from the former, when sea levels were lower during glacial episodes Lakeba and Aiwa formed one large island. It has a population of around 2,100 in eight villages, the most important of which is the capital Tubou which lies in the island's south. Near Tubou is the village of Levuka; not to be confused with its namesake – Fiji's old capital – Levuka on Lakeba is home to a fishing tribe whose ancestors came from Bau Island. Another significant village is Nasaqalau, located in the northern part of Lakeba. Geography Situated at 18.20° South and 178.80° East, Lakeba ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tubou
Tubou is a village on the Fijian island of Lakeba. One of eight villages on Lakeba, it is considered the capital of the Lau Islands, being the seat of the Vuanirewa clan, a powerful chiefly family from which Fiji's longtime Prime Minister and President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004) and one of Fiji's famous cricketers I. L. Bula (1921–2002), hailed. The Tongan-Fijian warlord Enele Ma'afu, who conquered much of eastern and northern Fiji in the mid-19th century, is buried in Tubou, as are Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna (1888–1958), Fiji's first modern statesman, and Mara himself. Many early Christian missionaries A missionary is a member of a religious group which is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Thomas Hale 'On Being a Mi ... are also buried in Tubou. Tubou {{Fiji-geo-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
