Bau Island
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Viti Levu Group
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Islands of Fiji
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Bau (IPA: [mba u]) is a small island in Fiji, off the east coast of the main island of Viti Levu. The island has a historical and political importance beyond its size. A disproportionate number of the leaders of Fiji have been natives of Bau. With the aid of Charles Savage, who brought firearms to Bau Island, the Bauan people quickly established themselves as an undefeatable military force. With that unmatched power, Seru Epenisa Cakobau was able to unite all of Fiji's disparate tribes under his authority.
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[edit] Chiefly Titles
Significant chiefly titles from Bau include the Vunivalu (considered to be Fiji's premier chiefly title), and the Roko Tui Bau, currently held by Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, the Vice-President of Fiji.
[edit] Territories
Bau is the capital of the Kubuna Confederacy (also known as the Kubuna Tribe) and the chiefly centre of Tailevu Province. It is divided into three villages - Bau, Lasakau, and Soso.
[edit] Landmarks
Among Bau's landmarks are Fiji's oldest Christian church and a stone on which the skulls of cannibalism victims were crushed.
[edit] Language
The Fijian language has many dialects, but the official standard is based on the speech of Bau Island.
[edit] External links
- WikiMapia has one or more wiki satellite maps of Bau Island.