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
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 ...
was the elder brother of
Delaivugalei; the latter the father of Niumataiwalu. Both were sons 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 o ...
, who was the brother of
Buivaroro
Buivaroro (pronunciation: buiβaroro was a Fijian High Chief and Lord of the island of Nayau.
Biography
Buivaroro was born on Nayau. His father was Naosara, son of Chief Lutunasobasoba of Moala Island, whilst Buivaroro’s mother was High ...
(the second Tui Nayau), and they had one sister,
Adi Keletu was married to
Noco in
Rewa
Rewa may refer to:
Places Fiji
* Rewa (Fijian Communal Constituency, Fiji), a former electoral division of Fiji
* Rewa Plateau, between the Kaimur and Vindhya Ranges in Madhya Pradesh
* Rewa Province, Fiji
* Rewa River, the widest river in Fiji
...
. 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. In establishing his dynasty he is often recognised as the first Sau of the Lau Islands. The Vuanirewa clan was established later by his children.
Legend, scandal and death
Traditional legend has it that Niumataiwalu was renowned not only for his valour in battle but also for his beauty. This latter attribute would eventually attract the attention of one of the noble ladies of
Bau, causing an illicit affair and leading to his eventual demise, for the lady was Adi Davila of Nairai, the
Radini Levuka, wife of the
Vunivalu or Paramount Chief of the
Kubuna Confederacy. The adulterous affair did not come to light until the Radini Levuka, Adi Davila realized she was pregnant, and though she wasn't harmed, the Vunivalu, bided his time and planned revenge for this offence upon himself and his noble household. He tendered the support of two
Ono-i-Lau
Ono-i-Lau is a group of islands within a barrier reef system in the Fijian archipelago of Lau Islands (''ono'' means "six" in the Fijian language). There are four central volcanic islands: Onolevu, Doi (or Ndoi) Lovoni and Ndavura, the uppermos ...
chiefs,
Saunikalou and
Radua who were visiting Bau at the time and were subjects of Niumataiwalu, by presenting them with a
tabua
A tabua is a polished tooth of a sperm whale that is an important cultural item in Fijian society. They were traditionally given as gifts for atonement or esteem (called ''sevusevu''), and were important in negotiations between rival chiefs. The ...
made of black stone and requesting for the murder of their overlord.
In time Niumataiwalu visited Matokano Village in
Ono-i-Lau
Ono-i-Lau is a group of islands within a barrier reef system in the Fijian archipelago of Lau Islands (''ono'' means "six" in the Fijian language). There are four central volcanic islands: Onolevu, Doi (or Ndoi) Lovoni and Ndavura, the uppermos ...
and a welcoming feast was accordingly prepared for him. This was also an occasion the two conspiring chiefs saw as an opportunity to exact the earlier instructions of the Vunivalu. As all weapons were forbidden in the area where the
kava ceremony was to take place, Saunikalou hid a war club in a hollowed out banana stem and instructed his young son to play with it as a toy where the ceremony occurred. When the first appropriations of kava drink was being given to Niumataiwalu, unsuspecting he lowered his head, at which the same time Saunikalou grabbed the hidden weapon and struck him. The first blow did not kill Niumataiwalu, and he fled towards the beach in the hope of gaining aid from some of his men. He was however overpowered by Saunikalou and his men, and was clubbed to death.
Local legend states that the area where Niumataiwalu was killed is cursed for the spilling of his noble blood. The vegetation in this area called ''"Cuga"'' still retains a whitish tinge amidst a surrounding area of deep green, as it is believed by locals to be cursed. Due to its tragic history, this area is the only place on the island not belonging to the people of Ono-i-Lau as it traditionally belongs to the Vuanirewa and remains so today. In the 20th century, the Vuanirewa descendants of Niumataiwalu made attempts to retrieve his remains for reburial in
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 Pre ...
, Lakeba.
Lineage
Niumataiwalu had three wives from which he had many children. Four of his sons would eventually in turn succeed to his title. The recorded wives and children of this chief in order of seniority were:
*By wife of
Vunivalu of Bau
Turaga na Vunivalu na Tui Kaba is the Paramount Chief of the Kubuna Confederacy, loosely translated the title means ''Warlord of Bau'' or Root of War. The succession to the title does not follow primogeniture, but the candidate must be a high-r ...
, the
Radini Levuka
**
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Banuve Baleivavalagi (father of
Ratu
''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...
Tanoa Visawaqa
Ratu Tanoa Visawaqa (pronounced ) (died on 8 December 1852) was a Fijian Chieftain who held the title 5th Vunivalu of Bau. With Adi Savusavu, one of his nine wives, he was the father of Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, who succeeded in unifying Fiji ...
)
*By his first wife ''
Tarau of Tovu Totoya {{Unreferenced, date=December 2009
Tarau of Totoya was the first wife of Niumataiwalu, founder of the Vuanirewa dynasty of the Lau Islands (in Fiji).
Tarau was the mother of Uluilakeba I and Rasolo.
Oral history indicates that Tarau was the daught ...
''
**
Sivoki {{Unreferenced, date=December 2009
Sivoki Volitilakeba was the eldest child and only daughter of Niumataiwalu, first Roko Sau and High Chief of the Lau Islands, Fiji. Oral history has it that Sivoki was exceedingly beautiful, a trait she most likel ...
**
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 ...
**
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 ...
**
Mokoi
*By his second wife ''
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 {{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 h ...
*By his third wife (name unknown) from
Cakaudrove
**
Lubati
References
{{Reflist
* Yalo i Viti: Shades of Viti : a Fiji Museum Catalogue - Page 173 by Fergus Clunie, Fiji Museum, Julia Brooke-White - 1986; following is a snippet: ''Leha died trying to save Niumataiwalu, the father of the first Tui Nayau to rule Lakeba. Ironically, Niumataiwalu, who was assassinated at Ono in a plot...''
* Folk-Lore: A Quarterly Review of Myth, Tradition, Institution, and Custom, Page 119 by Sidgwick; By Folklore Society, (Great Britain), Parish Register Society, (Great Britain), Published 1977, Northern Micrographics for Brookhaven Press, Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized Jul 14, 2006. Following a snippet: ''In the island of Lakemba, Fiji, the nobility is all descended from Niumataiwalu.It is divided into four clans, which I will call A, B, C, and D....''
Fijian chiefs
People from Lakeba
Vuanirewa
Year of death unknown
Year of birth unknown
People from Nayau
Confederacies of Fiji
Vunivalu of Bau