Matawalu

{{unreferenced, date=December 2009 Matawalu was a Fijian chief. He was the son of

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-Tuivanuak ...

—first ''

Roko Sau Sau Mai Kedekede now more commonly referred to as Sau ni Vanua ko Lau is one of the preeminent titles held by the Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands in Fiji. History The title Sau Mai Kedekede originates from the Tongan word “Hau”, denoting t ...

'' of

Lau Islands The Lau Islands aka little Tonga (also called the Lau Group, the Eastern Group, the Eastern Archipelago) of Fiji are situated in the southern Pacific Ocean, just east of the Koro Sea. Of this chain of about sixty islands and islets, about thirty a ...

—and

Uma of Nukunuku Parvati ( sa, पार्वती, ), Uma ( sa, उमा, ) or Gauri ( sa, गौरी, ) is the Hindu goddess of power, energy, nourishment, harmony, love, beauty, devotion, and motherhood. She is a physical representation of Mahadevi in ...

. Matawalu became the fourth ''Roko Sau'', ruler of the Lau Islands, after the death of his half-brother

Rasolo Rasolo was a Fijian High Chief. Family Father of Rasolo was Chief Niumataiwalu of Lakeba. Rasolo's mother was Lady Tarau of Tovu Totoya. Rasolo was a brother of Lady Sivoki and Uluilakeba I and half-brother of Matawalu. Rasolo's first wife wa ...

, but never succeeded to the title of ''

Tu'i 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 la ...

''. Matawalu had been exiled to

Nayau Nayau is an island of Fiji, a member of the Lau archipelago. Nearby cities: Suva; Nuku'Alofa; Coordinates: 17°58'39"S 179°3'13"W. Nayau, north of Lakeba Lakeba (pronounced ) is an island in Fiji’s Southern Lau Archipelago; the pr ...

by his elder half-brother

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 i ...

. When Uluilakeba was killed by

Bauan Bauan, officially the Municipality of Bauan ( tgl, Bayan ng Bauan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 90,819 people. History Religious attribution and mi ...

forces, Matawalu led the counter invading force for Rasolo at the request of

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 wel ...

‘s people. It is said that Matawalu despised the

Tongans Tongans, a Polynesian group, represent more than 98% of the inhabitants of Tonga. The rest are European (the majority are British), mixed European, and other Pacific Islanders. There also are several hundred Chinese. Almost two-thirds of the pop ...

, his sister-in-law

Laufitu Laufitu was a Fijian chiefess. Family Laufitu was the first wife of Rasolo, who was the third '' Sau kei Lau'' of the Lau Islands and first ''Tu'i Nayau''. They were the parents of Roko Malani, the seventh '' Sau kei Lau''. Laufitu would have ...

's people and their growing influence in Lakeba. On succeeding Rasolo, Matawalu removed himself to self-exile on

Bau Island Bau (pronounced ) is a small island in Fiji, off the east coast of the main island of Viti Levu. Bau rose to prominence in the mid-1800s and became Fiji's dominant power; until its cession to Britain, it has maintained its influence in politics and ...

. 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 {{Unreferenced, date=December 2009 Dranivia was an 18th-century Lauan chief and noble of the Vuanirewa dynasty. He was the third son of Uluilakeba I and last recorded member of the noble household, Naivi, to hold the title Roko Sau of the Lau Islan ...

seized power and declared himself ''Roko Sau''. His claim to power was short lived. While on a tour of Southern Lau, Matawalu returned to Lakeba, retook overlordship and gave orders to prevent Dranivia's return. Dranivia attempted to seize Lakeba again by force, but failed. Matawalu's dislike for Tongans resulted in direct conflict with his other nephew Malani, who was half-Tongan through his mother,

. A battle ensued between the two opposing factions and Matawalu was killed. Matawalu married Siri of Waitabu and from him is descended the majority of the Koroicumu household of the

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 ...

clan. Fijian chiefs People from Lakeba Vuanirewa