Vuanirewa
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The Vuanirewa is the ruling clan (yavusa) of the Lau Islands, a scattered group of more than a hundred islands (16 inhabited) and reefs along the eastern edge of Fiji. The members of this clan all hail from the village of Tubou on the island of Lakeba and claim descent from one of four noble households (mataqali) that make up the clan. These four noble households are Naivi, Vatuwaqa, Koroicumu and Matailakeba and all claim descent from the first High Chief (Sau) of the dynasty, Niumataiwalu.
Naivi is traditionally the eldest of the households; however due to historic power struggles, Naivi and Koroicumu were subdued in battle by the younger households of Vatuwaqa and Matailakeba. Therefore all claims to the title can only be asserted from members of the latter two noble households.
The Tui Nayau, or Titular Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands, has always been from one of these four noble houses, the most recent being Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920-2005, installed 1969) who was from the household Matailakeba. Ratu Finau Mara (born 1960), the eldest son of Ratu Mara, is considered to be a likely successor of this title.
The title of Tui Nayau, however, originated from a nearby island to Lakeba, called Nayau - the title of Tui Nayau meaning ruler of Nayau. Although historical records are unclear as to how the title may have been transferred from Nayau to Lakeba, it is commonly believed that the title holder may have been chosen to hold Lakeba's ruling position following internecine warfare amongst the Lakeba tribes that may have resulted in gridlock. The traditional installation of the title of Tui Nayau is still being performed by the Yavusa Maumi on Nayau island to this date, confirming the origin of the title.
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