Aminio Baledrokadroka

Aminio Baledrokadroka was the original leader of Fiji’s missionary band to New Britain in 1875. He displayed excellent qualities of leadership in the mission to New Britain.

The mission to New Britain launched in 1875. George Brown, the organizer, found his plans going wrong, as a result of the tragic epidemic which killed 40,000 in Fiji, and finally appealed to the students of Navuloa describing the dangers and pointing out that they might well be going to their death. 83 students were present and heard the appeal, and went to talk it over with their wives. 83 offered to go.

The government threw many obstacles in their way, but they went. By 1876 the new mission field had been divided into two areas, one under Aminio and the other under Sailasa Naucukidi, with 14 teachers’ stations.

Thus began Fiji’s own missionary enterprise. In the year 1878, Sailasa the Fijian minister was journeying inland with a small party, and preaching the Gospel as he went; when they were suddenly attacked, killed and their bodies cut up and eaten.

The accounts of Aminio Baledrokadroka's deep faith are legendary in the Methodist Church of Fiji. He is buried at his village, in Nasaqalau, Lakeba, Lau.

References

• THORNLEY, Andrew, 1982, ‘Custom, Change and Conflict: Fiji Wesleyan missionaries, 1835–1945’, in Melanesia: beyond diversity, vol.1, eds R.J. May and Hank Nelson, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, Canberra.

• TIPPETT, A.R., 1954, The Christian (Fiji 1835–1867), Auckland Institute and Museum, Auckland.