Niumataiwalu

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Niumataiwalu, or more fully, Ratu Jepesa Niumataiwalu, was the founder of the Vuanirewa dynasty, or noble clan, of the Lau Islands (in Fiji) from which the Tui Nayau is chosen. Niumataiwalu was the son of Delainavugalei, titular lord of the island of Nayau. He killed his uncle Qoma who was the older brother of Delaivugalei, titular lord of Lakeba except a son of Qoma's, Nacanieli Delailoa, in retribution for the murder of his own parents and only sibling, thus establishing himself overlord of both these islands. In establishing his dynasty he thus became the first high chief or Roko Sau of the Lau Islands. The surviving son of Qoma, Nacanieli Delailoa, then had 4 sons: Lokinayau, Uluinayau, Ramagimagi and Katonitu (who later was renamed by Roko Malani as Lagonilakeba), and this lineage remained on the island of Nayau whilst the lineage of Delaivugalei from whence the Vuanirewa Clan sprung from, has been located in the island of Lakeba since. Katonitu's lineage though in Nayau has continued to use the name of Niumataiwalu to date, although they were descended from the elder brother of Delaivugalei (father of Niumataiwalu), Qoma. It is also why the lineage of Qoma has been known as ulumatua or matua to the Tui Nayau's lineage.

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, an illicit affair and his eventual demise, for the lady was 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 realized she was pregnant, and though she and her child were not harmed, the Vunivalu abided his time and planned revenge for this offence upon himself and his noble household. He tendered the support of two Ono-i-Lau chiefs, Saunikalou and Radua who were visiting Bau at the time and were subjects of Niumataiwalu, by presenting them with a tabua made of black stone and requesting for the murder of their overlord.

In time Niumataiwalu visited Matokano Village in Ono-i-Lau 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, 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 still retains a whitish tinge amidst a surrounding area of deep green.

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: