Lomaloma

Lomaloma is a village on the Fiji island of Vanua Balavu in the Lau archipelago. It is part of the Tikina (tribal district) of Lomaloma which comprises 9 villages, which is further made up of 13 Yavusa (tribes) which are further broken down into 42 Mataqali (Clans) and 54 Tokatoka (Family Units) from early records first documented in 1881 by the Native Lands and Fisheries Commission there were three Turaga i Taukei (Senior Chiefs) for Lomaloma Tikina listed, the first being Ratu Jese Waqalekaleka - Turaga Rasau, then Ma'afu representing Yavusa Toga of Sawana and Jaoti Sugasuga - Turaga Ravunisa.[1] The 9 villages of Lomaloma Tikina are Lomaloma, Sawana, Susui, Narocivo, Namalata, Uruone, Levukana, Dakuiloma and Tuvuca.

Contents

Village and District titles

Currently the Chief of Lomaloma Village or the Tui Lomaloma is the Turaga Na Ravunisa, while the Chieftain of Lomaloma Tikina is the Turaga na Rasau, both Chiefly families reside in Lomaloma Village.

Currently Ratu Keni Ugadregadrega Naulumatua (whose Grandfather; Ratu Jese Waqalekaleka, Father; Ratu Keni Naulumatua, and Brother; Ratu Viliame Fonolahi Keni all were installed as Turaga na Rasau)[2] has been formally accepted for installation by the Family Valelevu of Yavusa Buca for installation, his traditional installation will not take place until late 2008. Ratu Keni Naulumatua is a member of the Fiji Military Forces.

Other chiefly titles in Lomaloma Tikina are Tui Naturuku, Tui Urone, Tui Levukana, Tui Narocivo, Tui Daku, Tui Susui, Tui Mago(Namalata), Ramasi(Tuvuca Island).[3]

A brief history

In early Fijian history, Lomaloma village while being small in comparison was considered as the first modern town in Fiji, it was set up by Tongan Warload Enele Ma'afu as his capital while attempting to forge a kingdom of his own. In Ma'afu's time it also acted as a key port of call between Tonga and Viti Levu.[4]

Points of interest

Lomaloma as a Village and as a District is known all over Fiji for a popular song called Lomaloma, which has been sung by various local artists and bands in Fiji. It is also a very popular pub song. The song is rumoured to have been written by the late Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Tui Nayau and father of the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Fiji's longtime Prime Minister and President, while he was courting his first wife and mother of Ratu Mara, Adi Luisiana Qolikoro, who at that time lived in Lomaloma but was from Sawana.

Footnotes

  1. ^ Chart, 1881, Native Registrar Tikina of Lomaloma, NLFC
  2. ^ Ai Vola Ni Kawa , Yavusa Buca, Tokatoka No.7
  3. ^ Chart, 1881, Native Registrar Tikina of Lomaloma, NLFC
  4. ^ South Pacific Handbook, Page 360

References

  • The Cyclopedia of Fiji - Published By The Cyclopedia Company of Fiji, Sydney NSW, 1907 Printers McCorren, Stewart & Co. - reference to Lomaloma Village, weblink reference to book: Cyclopedia of Fiji
  • South Pacific Handbook, by DAVID. STANLEY - 1986, reference to Lomaloma as a key settlement in the early days of sailing.
  • Mara, Ratu Sir Kamisese: "The Pacific Way: A Memoir", University of Hawaii Press, 1997
  • Tovata I & II By AC Reid, Printed in Fiji by Oceania printers Fiji (1990) reference to the Rasau and Ravunisa, reference to Lomaloma.
  • Lau Islands, Fiji By A.M Hocart, Published by the Bishop Museum, Hawaii (1929) reference to Ratu Keni Naulumatua as Rasau of Lomaloma and details on his title.
  • The Lau Islands (Fiji) and Their Fairy Tales and Folklore - Page 54, by T[homas] R[eginald] St. Johnston, Published 1918 by The Times book co., ltd.Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized Dec 15, 2006, reference to The Rasau and the Ravunisa
  • Weblink reference to Adi Luisiana Qolikoro
  • A web link regarding details of the Native Lands and Fisheries Commission
  • The Fiji Islands: a geographical handbook - Page 300, by R. A. (Ronald Albert) Derrick - 1951 - 334 pages
  • The Pacific Islands Year Book - Page 203, by John Carter – 1959

External links

  • Photographs of Lomaloma
  • Details and Map of Lomaloma
  • Map and some statistical information on Lomaloma.
  • A collection of Pictures of Lomaloma, the airport which is at Lomaloma and other pictures on Vanuabalavu around Lomaloma.