Ogea Levu
Ogea Levu (pronounced [oˈŋea ˈleβu]) is a coral island on a barrier reef in Fiji's Southern Lau archipelago. With an area of 13.3 square kilometers, it is situated at 19.18° South and 178.47° East, 10 kilometers east of Fulaga. It has a maximum altitude of 82 meters.
The people of Ogea are known for their happy and carefree approach to life, and love laughter and merry-making wherever they are gathered. They work hard in their daily lives, mainly in planting root crops, and fishing in their rich fishing grounds around both their islands which are surrounded by magnificent reefs and coral atolls. The chief of Ogea is traditionally known as the Matua Tabu i Tui Nayau, Tui Ogea (Sacred Elder of the Tui Nayau, the Tui Ogea). The story goes back to the olden days when the paramount chief of Lau (Tui Nayau) staying in Waciwaci, Lakeba at the time could not conquer Ogea because of a strong warrior who was in Ogea then, by the name of Bai Yadrena (see * below). He could not be subdued in war, so the Tui Nayau then approached him traditionally to surrender as all of the Lau group had given their support to him. Bai Yadrena then gave in and asked if he could be clubbed to death by the use of his own club and, in return, that the chief of Ogea shall be held in high regard by the Tui Nayau. It was done and the title was then given, Matua Tabu i Tui Nayau.
*Bai Yadrena literally means His Forehead A Barricade. It's a warrior's title and also a challenge, in that if one sees the warrior's forehead, it's similar to coming up to a barricade that has to be breached for one to get to the other side.
Coordinates: 19°9′S 178°25′W / 19.150°S 178.417°W
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