Bau Island

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Viti Levu Group


Bau
Beqa
Leleuvia
Naigani
Nananu-i-Cake
Nananu-i-Ra
Nukulau
Vatulele
Viti Levu


Islands of Fiji


Principal islands
Viti Levu
Vanua Levu

Significant outliers
Conway Reef
Kadavu
Taveuni
Rotuma

Archipelagos
Kadavu Group
Lau Islands
Lomaiviti Islands
Mamanuca Islands
Moala Islands
Ringgold Isles
Rotuma Group
Vanua Levu Group
Viti Levu Group
Yasawa Islands

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.

Contents

[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

Coordinates: 17°58′S 178°37′W


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