Tarau of Tovu Totoya

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Tarau of Totoya was the first wife of Niumataiwalu, founder of the Vuanirewa dynasty, or noble clan, of the Lau Islands (in Fiji).

She was the mother of two Roko Sau’s of the Lau Islands, Uluilakeba I and Rasolo. Oral history indicates that she was the daughter of the High Chief of Totoya, and because of her beauty, Niumataiwalu pursued for her hand on one of his visits to the island. However it is further recorded that she was not the biological daughter of the High Chief of Totoya, but meerly adopted by him in order to raise her status to that of a noble and allow Niumataiwalu to marry her. She is said to have been a captive from the island of Komo and was brought up in the Lord of Totoya’s household. When Niumataiwalu became enamoured with her and sued for marriage, the Lord of Totoya instructed him to climb the red coconut palm, harvest the fruit and bathe her with the milk from it to wash away her commoness and Komoan nationaility and become a Totoyan. When this was done, only then was Tarau recognised as the High Chief of Totoya’s daughter.