Vuanirewa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nobility of Fiji |
|
Titles |
The Vuanirewa is the ruling tribe (yavusa) of the Lau Islands, a scattered group of more than a hundred islands (16 inhabited) and reefs along the eastern edge of Fiji.
Contents |
[edit] Origins
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 tribe. These four noble households are Naivi, Vatuwaqa, Koroicumu and Matailakeba and all claim descent from the first High Chief (Sau) of the dynasty, Niumataiwalu.
[edit] A Shift in power
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.
[edit] The Paramount Title of Vuanirewa
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.
[edit] A Brief History
The title of Tui Nayau, however, originated from a nearby island to Lakeba, called Nayau - the title of Tui Nayau meaning ruler of Nayau. During the reign of Uluilakeba 1, the son of Niumataiwalu, a power struggle occurred that resulted in the death of Uluilakeba 1 by Codro and his followers. Codro, who had Bauan roots and who now lived in Levuka (a village not far from Tubou), was cruel to the people of Lakeba. Prio to this though, Rasolo and Matawalu, also brothers of Uluilakeba 1, were banished to Nayau since Uluilakeba suspected his brother Rasolo of having an affair with his wife.
When Lakebans looked for a leader, they looked to Nayau where the two brothers of Uluilakeba 1 were still residing with their uncle, Delailoa. Delailoa was the remaining son of Qoma (elder brother to Delaivugalei who was Niumataiwalu's father) that survived Niumataiwalu slaying all his brothers and father before he himself was slain in Ono. Niumataiwalu, realising that there was only one close relative alive, Delailoa (since all his brothers and his father were slain by Qoma's children that Niumataiwalu had exacted revenge for), and prior to his slaying in Ono, called Delailoa and sent him to Nayau to retain his name and their position from whence the title of Tui Nayau had come.
It was then decided by the priest at Nayau that the two brothers should jump off a cliff at Delaiwawa, the highest peak near Narocivo village, and that the one that survived would be installed as Sau kei Lakeba. Rasolo jumped and was cushioned by a rewa tree (from whence the vuanirewa name came from) and he then was also installed as Tui Nayau thereafter, before returning with a conquering army to Lakeba to overthrow Codro, and be installed as Sau kei Lakeba.
[edit] Nayau installation
The traditional installation of the title of Tui Nayau is still being performed to this date by the Yavusa Maumi in the village of Narocivo on Nayau island, confirming the origin of the title.
[edit] Notes and References
- Islands, Islanders and the World: Colonial and Post-colonial Experience of Eastern Fiji. Page 236, by T.P.Bayliss- Smith – 1989
- Pacific Art: Persistence, Change and Meaning - Page 2, by Anita Herle - 2002 - 455 pages
- The Pacific Way: A Memoir - Page 91, by Kamisese Mara, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Pacific Islands Development Program (East-West Center) - 1997 - 328 pages
- A Feejeean and English Dictionary: With Examples of Common and Peculiar Modes of Expression, and... - Page 179, by David Hazlewood - 1850 - 192 pages
- Oceania by University of Sydney, Australian National Research Council - 1930....An interesting and very ancient ceremony which, according to tradition, belongs to the Vuanirewa people who settled on the island of Nayau and became the ...
