By Netani Rika
Ancient traditional ceremonies and religious rituals fused at dawn as one of Fiji’s original kingdoms elevated a career military officer to the title of Tui Nayau.
As the sun rose over Nayau Island, Roko Tevita Uluilakeba Mara who is more commonly known as Roko Ului was anointed by Archbishop Peter Loy Chong – head of Fiji’s Roman Catholic church.
Reverend Dr Semisi Turagavou, President of the Methodist Church in Fiji, led the service and placed a masi (traditional cloth) crown on the chief’s head before presenting him with a Bible, symbol of his divine appointment.
Vaka Ni Nayau, Akuila Qalo, tied a piece of masi on Roko Ului’s right arm, signifying that the people recognised him as their chief. Qalo is head of the clan which installs the Tui Nayau.
The Tui Nayau title was last held by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara who died in 2004. Roko Ului is Ratu Sir Kamisese’s only surviving son. He returned to Fiji this year from Tonga where he had worked for the Royal Family since 2011. The young chief – a lieutenant-colonel in Fiji’s army – went into exile in 2011 after military ruler Frank Bainimarama began a purge of his officer corps.
Roko Ului’s installation as Tui Nayau allows his elevation to the position of head of the Lau Province in ceremonies at Tubou Village, Lakeba, on Thursday, witnessed by Fijian chiefs, King Tupou VI of Tonga, and Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po – the Maori queen.
The Mara family to which Roko Ului belongs has ancient blood ties to the royal households of Tonga and Samoa.
