Nayau

NASA astronaut image of Nayau island, Lau Archipelago, Fiji
Nayau
Island
Nayau
Location in Fiji
Coordinates: 17°59′S 179°3′W / 17.983°S 179.050°W / -17.983; -179.050Coordinates: 17°59′S 179°3′W / 17.983°S 179.050°W / -17.983; -179.050
Country Fiji
Island group Northern Lau Islands

Nayau is an island of Fiji, a member of the Lau archipelago. Nearby cities: Suva; Nuku'Alofa;

Coordinates: 17°58'39"S 179°3'13"W.

Nayau, north of Lakeba, is one of the chiefly islands in the Lau Group with a unique and rich history.

History

Vota Vanua or Allotment of Nayau Island to Tuinaosara & Tui Devo

The history of Nayau dictated that during the "Vota Vanua" or "Allotment of Land" at Ucunivanua, Verata by the Fijian patriarch Rokomautu the Ratu mai Verata, the island of NAYAU was formally allotted to two powerful chiefs: (1) TUINAOSARA, the son of Tuivanuakula (Tuivanuakula was one of the sons of Rovarovaivalu who was a son of Rokomautu; it was Tuivanuakula that had won the famous race of Rokomautu's grandsons at the coast of Walu.); and (2) RATUMAINAKORO or TUI DEVO a powerful chief from Naoco on the coast of Tailevu. These two chiefs have close kinship ties through their ancestors: Tuinaosara through the lineage of Lutunasobasoba; and Tui Devo through Kubunavanua (Lutunasobasoba's younger brother).[1]

Three Land Wars at Nayau - Tui Devo & Batidradra

Tui Devo's group first sailed to Nayau, accompanied by a warrior of Rokomautu called Batidradra. Batidradra was tasked by Rokomoutu to provide security to Tui Devo and Tuinaosara on the journey to Nayau; and was to return to Verata after the chiefs have settled. It is often said that the warrior Batidradra actually originates from the province of Ra. Ra had close traditional kinship ties with Verata and were traditional warriors of Rokomautu, the Ratu mai Verata.

Tui Devo and Batidradra were to scout out the island first on the premise that the island may have already been inhabited, and were to clear the land before the chiefly delegation of Tuinaosara came to Nayau. When Tui Devo and Batidradra arrived at Nayau, they encountered descendants of Tuiwai who had first inhabited the island (Tuiwai had been an original passenger of Lutunasobasoba's voyage from the African continent on the double hulled Kaunitoni which first landed at Vuda on the western side of Fiji several decades earlier).

Tui Devo and Batidradra waged war against Tuiwai's group. Three major tribal wars were fought, usually called 'Na Tolu nai Valu ni tawa Vanua'. Tui Devo and Batidradra defeated Tuiwai's group in all the three wars. This legitimised and validated Rokomautu's decision from Verata.

Tui Devo and Batidradra then settled on the eastern side of the island and their tribe or "Yavusa" was named Devobalavu - the village called Salia today. Batidradra did not return to Verata as originally planned, as Tui Devo betrothed his eldest daughter Adi Yalamai to Batidradra to be his wife, and requested that Baitdradra stayed at Nayau with him.

Three subgroups within the Yavusa Devobalavu were established (1) Nakoro - Tui Devo's chiefly clan, where the Tui Devo and clan leaders reside (2) Naisogosiga - Batidradra's clan who were the Sauturaga (kingmakers) and Bati (Warriors) (3) Nayalewasala - clan of the priests. The clan of Tuilomani that has now been included into the Yavusa Devobalavu today was only established much later after the arrival of Katonitu at Nayau in the early 1800s.

Within the Yavusa Devobalavu a clan or mataqali called Qalikatolu (literally meaning "defeated three times") was also established for the descendants of Tuiwai who had been defeated by Tui Devo three times in battle. The descendants of Tuiwai were bestowed the title of "Tuira" and the role of traditional herald or matanivanua of the Tui Devo - a role they have performed up to today.

When peace prevailed, Tui Devo notified the chiefly delegation of Tuinaosara who were waiting at Moala with relatives to make their way to Nayau.

Tuinaosara arrived at Nayau

Tuinaosara arrived at Nayau with his wife Adi Gelegeleavanua (daughter of Daunisai). They had two sons Buivaroro and Kalouyalewa, and a daughter Adi Keletu. Tuinaosara entered Nayau from the western side where the village of Liku is today. It is said that Tuinaosara first settled on this side of the island. [2]

After some time, Tuinaosara eventually sailed around to the north eastern side of the island and resided at the highest mountain on the island called Delainayau (later called Delaiwawa today). They settled together with some of Tuiwai's descendants who were occupying this side of the island - their Yavusa is called Maumi, their village called Narocivo today.[3] There are three sub groups or mataqali within the Yavusa Maumi today: (1) Butonivanua - the clan of Delaiwawa within this sub group holds the chiefly title of Tui Naro (2) Vuinayau - this clan is where the Vaka ni Nayau originates from, and (3) Wailoli.

Tuinaosara and his descendants ruled Nayau for some time through his male descendants Buivaroro, his grandson Maseikula, and great grandsons Vakaoti, and Vukinavanua. Vukinavanua had no male descendants, and before he died he delegated his title and right of "first born" to his cousin Niumataiwalu. Niumataiwalu was the son of Delaivugalei, the son of Kalouyalewa the younger brother of Buivaroro.[4]

Niumataiwalu, Sau ni Vanua

Niumataiwalu was a rover, and in one of his expeditions to the island of Bau with his uncle the Tui Vuna (Niumataiwalu's mother was from Vuna, Taveuni), Niumataiwalu had carnal knowledge with Adi Davila the wife of Naulivou the Vunivalu of Bau. Adi Davila conceived and when the affair was found out, a black tabua was sent from Bau for the head of Niumataiwalu.[5]

During this time there was family treachery when Niumataiwalu's cousins Pukumi and Fuakilau, from Lakeba (descendants of Daunisai of Kabara) murdered his parents at Nayau. Niumataiwalu sailed back from Bau, and led the warriors of Nayau to Lakeba and killed his cousins and their father Qoma. Niumataiwalu thereafter established his base at Tubou, Lakeba. Niumataiwalu then directed that all the first fruits or i sevu in the Lau group be presented to him at Lakeba (before it used to be taken to Kabara to descendants of Daunisai who had settled at Kabara. Daunisai was youngest son of Lutunasobasoba).[6]

Niumataiwalu reigned as the Sau from Lakeba, and the chiefly regalia or kato ni sau was transferred to him by the elders of Nayau in accordance with the directive of Vukinavanua. Niumataiwalu was eventually killed by some warriors from Bau at the island of Onoilau during a tour of southern Lau.[7]

Valu ni Puaka Loa

When Niumataiwalu was killed, his eldest son Uluilakeba ruled after him as Sau ni vanua at Lakeba. After a family dispute Uluilakeba chased his younger brothers back to Nayau; his younger brothers were Rasolo and Matawalu.

It was after this that the armies of Ra and Bau invaded Lakeba at the behest of the Delaikorolevu tribe who by this time had settled at Levuka village beside Tubou. Uluilakeba was killed during this battle which is known as the famous Valu ni Puaka Loa. Codro the leader of the Delaikorolevu tribe became the leader of Lakeba.[8]

Valu ni Lawa Doko

Codro was an unruly leader, and treated the Lakeba people harshly often taking their crops, properties and even women by force. The Lakeba people then requested help from Nayau. Rasolo and Matawalu were back at Nayau at this time.

In the middle of the night, Matawalu and the warriors of Nayau sailed to Lakeba. One of Matawalu's chief lieutenants in this war was Sakaraia from Naisogosiga a descendant of Batidradra the warrior of Rokomautu. The Nayau warriors went ashore at Yadrana village and combined with Bobunia clan of Yadrana, trekked over the mountains and routed Codro and his group at Levuka village in the early hours of the morning. Codro and his group fled to Aiwa and eventually to Oneata. When the battle ended, Matawalu and his group returned to Nayau, but laid down a law at Lakeba that any uprising will be punishable by death through the war club or "doko"; thus the name of this war was known as Valu ni Lawa Doko.[9]

Vuanirewa, Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua

When Matawalu returned to Nayau, there was family squabble over who would rule Nayau. Rasolo who was Matawalu's older brother had stayed behind at Nayau and had been prevented from going to the battle at Lakeba, as the elders of Nayau had planned to install him as Tui Nayau. The priest challenged the brothers that who ever wanted to be chief to jump from the cliff at Qarairerega on the northern side of Nayau island. Rasolo accepted the challenge, jumped and was saved by the branches of the Vunisavirewa trees below the cliff.[10]

Rasolo was bestowed accordingly the title of TUI NAYAU; and was the first to be traditionally installed by the elders of Nayau.[11]

It was after this that the elders of Lakeba approached Rasolo to move to Lakeba to restore the title of his father Niumataiwalu as Sau ni Vanua. After being approached three times, he reluctantly accepted. Matawalu his younger brother accompanied him and pledged his loyalty to Rasolo. Matawalu was a vasu taukei as his mother was from the village of Nukunuku, Lakeba. The title of Vuanirewa was also taken up by Rasolo in remembrance of the Vunisavirewa trees that saved his life at the cliff at Qarairerega at Nayau.[12]

Rasolo and his descendants ruled as TUI NAYAU and SAU NI VANUA from Tubou, Lakeba from then till today. Rasolo's descendants today are the Matailakeba and Vatuwaqa clans of Yavusa Vuanirewa. Matawalu's descendants are at Nayau and Lakeba - the older branches are at Nayau with bloodlines amnongst the chiefly families of the Tui Devo, Tui Naro and Tui Liku; and the younger branch leads the Nayavutoka clan at Tubou, Lakeba. The descendants of Uluilakeba (who was killed by the Bauan and Ra forces in the Valu ni Puka Loa) are the Naivi clan at Tubou, Lakeba today.

From the original journey from Verata through Tuinaosara's lineage descended the chiefly family and dynasty of the TUI NAYAU. From the time of Rasolo, the TUI NAYAU has since established his chiefly home at the village of Tubou at the island of Lakeba to rule over the people of Lakeba and Nayau and the entire group of islands in Lau Group.

Tui Narocake

At Nayau, the title of Tui Narocake was established to govern the affairs of the island on behalf of the Tui Nayau who now resides at Lakeba. Keleinayavutoka, the eldest son of Matawalu was the first Tui Narocake at Nayau, and answered to the Tui Nayau at Lakeba.[13]

Liku Village at Nayau

Sometime after Tui Nayau Rasolo had moved to Lakeba, the third village of Liku at Nayau was re-established on the west of the island. This is almost seven generations after the original settlement of that side of the island by Tuinaosara. The decision to re-build the village of Liku was made by Namokalevu (son of Keleinayavutoka, grandson of Matawalu) who was the ruling Tui Narocake at the time, and Ratumainakoro the Tui Devo. The village of Liku was purposely built for three women of high rank who were descendants of Buivaroro the eldest son of Tuinaosara through his eldest daughter Lolokula. These high ranking women were subsequently brought to Nayau from Bau in line with the wishes of Vukinavanua the grandson and last male descendant of Buivaroro the senior lineage of Tuinaosara. The word Liku was derived from dance skirts or "liku ni meke" of these high ranking ladies.

Namokalevu the Tui Naro then delegated his younger brothers Ravonoloa Sega and Josaia Samu; and Bai a man from the Wailoli clan to settle at Liku with the women, with the hope that they would eventually marry them. Ravonoloa, Josaia and Bai established the clan or mataqali Naduta at Liku village.[14]

Tui Devo from Devobalavu had sent Jope Drawe from the clan of Qalikatolu to Liku - this group established the clan of Dalicewaqa at Liku.[15]

The three women unfortunately did not marry any of the young men and had no descendants after them as intended.[16]

Matua i Tui Nayau

Since there were no further direct descendants of Buivaroro (the eldest son of Tuinaosara), the TUI NAYAU dynasty on the islands of Nayau and Lakeba today are descendants of Kalouyalewa the younger brother of Buivaroro.

There were subsequent migrations to Nayau of various parties from other parts of Fiji, and included some Tongans who arrived during the time of Ma'afu the powerful Tongan warrior in the late 1800s - some settled at Narocivo village and some at Salia village up until today.

The title of Tui Narocake at Nayau was disestablished after the hearings of the Native Lands Commission in 1939.

The chiefs of the three villages of Nayau: Tui Devo, Tui Narocivo, Tui Liku are known as the MATUA I TUI NAYAU or THE ELDERS OF THE TUI NAYAU; they have direct access to the TUI NAYAU at Lakeba.

The last Tui Nayau traditionally installed at Nayau was Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Mara in 1969. The Vaka ni Nayau from the Yavusa Maumi is a key person during every installation ceremony of the Tui Nayau at the mountain top of Delaiwawa at Nayau.

The descendants of Batidradra - the warrior of Rokomautu who had accompanied Tui Devo and Tuinaosara to Nayau on their original voyage from Verata, reside within the Yavusa Devobalavu and their mataqali and tokatoka is called Naisogosiga. The late Colonel George Mate, a decorated war veteran of the Fiji Military Forces in the wars in the Solomons and Malaya in the 1940s and 50s, and former Chairman of the Fiji Native Lands Commission was a direct descendant of Batidradra.

Notable people from Nayau

  • Mara, Ratu Sir Kamisese - former President of Fiji and Prime Minister of Fiji
  • Mate, Colonel George - Fiji Military Forces decorated war veteran, former Chairman Fiji Native Lands Commission
  • Kacimaiwai, Epeli, former High Commissioner to Australia & United Nations, former Permanent Secretary of Education, former Principal of Queen Victoria School
  • Qera, Akapusi - former Fiji Civil Servant & High Commissioner to Japan
  • Luvu, Taniela - former Roko Tui Lau
  • Savu, Viliame - former author, member of Taukei Movement
  • Cakacaka, Parayame - former Fiji Senior Education Officer & Civil Servant
  • Sautu, Semesa - former Counselor, Fiji High Commission, London, UK
  • Akauola, Mataiasi - current Member of Parliament of Fiji
  • Tulakepa, Nukuyasi Maca - former Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture of Fiji; former First Secretary Fiji High Commission London, UK
  • Kolitagane, David - former Permanent Secretary of Finance & Public Enterprises, Fiji
  • Uluinayau, Alfred - former Fiji rugby player
  • Yalimaiwai, Nacanieli - Lawyer & Chartered Accountant, former President Auckland Fijian Community

References

  1. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  2. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  3. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  4. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  5. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  6. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  7. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  8. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  9. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  10. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  11. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  12. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  13. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  14. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  15. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]
  16. ↑ Savu, Savu, Viliame (2007), Nayau, my heritage. Volume 1 / written by Viliame Savu, V. Savu?]


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