Vuanirewa

The Vuanirewa is the ruling clan (yavusa) of the Lau Islands, a scattered group of more than a hundred islands (16 inhabited) and reefs along the eastern edge of Fiji. The members of this clan all hail from the village of Tubou on the island of Lakeba and claim descent from one of four noble households (mataqali) that make up the clan. These four noble households are Naivi, Vatuwaqa, Koroicumu and Matailakeba and all claim descent from the first High Chief (Sau) of the dynasty, Niumataiwalu.

Related Topics:
Lau Islands - Fiji - Tubou - Lakeba - Niumataiwalu

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Naivi is traditionally the eldest of the households; however due to historic power struggles, Naivi and Koroicumu were subdued in battle by the younger households of Vatuwaqa and Matailakeba. Therefore all claims to the title can only be asserted from members of the latter two noble households.

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The Tui Nayau, or Titular Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands, has always been from one of these four noble houses, the most recent being Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920-2005, installed 1969) who was from the household Matailakeba. Ratu Finau Mara (born 1960), the eldest son of Ratu Mara, is considered to be a likely successor of this title.

Related Topics:
Tui Nayau - Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara - 1920 - 2005 - 1969 - Ratu Finau Mara - 1960

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