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Titles |
The Turaga na Gonesau is a chiefly title of the Fiji Islands and is viewed as a Paramount Chief of Fiji residing in the Nakorotubu District[1] in the Ra Province on the Main Island of Viti Levu.
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The name Gonesau means "blessed child" as the first "Gonesau" was the son of Rokomautu from Verata (the first son of the High Chief and master sailor Lutunasobasoba, who is traditionally believed to have led the first migration to Fiji).[2]
Rokomautu gave his blessing or "Sau" or Mana to his son to be powerful in war, in intellect, and in anything that he would undertake.
The Gonesau settled in Nakorotubu from Verata.[3] The name Kavula and its district means white or pure and was meant to be a beacon of light (purity) for the Fijian race so the holders of that light were the Gonesau.[4]
The Gonesau's title was given by the first Roko Tui Bau and close cousin, Vueti Verata (a great great grandson of Rokomautu and grandson of Raivalita) for saving Bau during its early emergence as a Matanitu.
Ratu Kuliniasi Roko Malani of the Malani family of Nakorotubu, Ra descendant of Raivalita traditionally endorsed the installation of the brotherly descendant of Nadurucoko II George Cakobau as the Vunivalu of Bau formerly known as Tui Viti on September 18, 1959 in Bau.
Gonesau originated from Uluinakorotubu where five brothers resided who are the sons of Kalawailagi after leaving Nakauvadra. The youngest son of Kalawailagi was given the title of Gonesau thus the title of The Turaga na Gonesau. The descendants of the youngest son (Vakasenuku) still lives on today. The descendants of the Malani family was given the title by the owners of the title as Gonesau. The Malanis are descendants of Rokomautu from Verata and came from Bau through Raivalita to Nakorotubu and not the descendants of Kalawailagi and Vakasenuku from Uluinakorotubu.