INSTALLATION: Roko Tui Bau
Ratu Timoci assured support from the Yavusa Ratu
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama assured the Roko Tui Bau, Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua, of the support of the Yavusa Ratu.
He was presenting a whale’s tooth
(kamunaga) on behalf of the Yavusa Ratu in Bau to the newly-installed Roko Tui Bau yesterday on Bau Island.
“We the Yavusa Ratu support you,” he said in his presentation. “Today is your day and thank you for accepting the chiefly position.” The Prime Minister said that with the theme “The New Beginning” his people would work in unity and looked up to his leadership. He thanked him for his chiefly support to the people.
At Ratu Timoci’s blessing at the Ratu Cakobau Memorial Church, the president of the Methodist Church, Reverend Tevita Banivanua told the high chief – “Let the mind of God be with you.”
He said when he has God’s mind, his leadership to his people would be good and would receive God’s blessing.
Reverend Banivanua reminded Ratu Timoci to come down to his people and help them.
He asked the high chief to care for the poor.
“You also have to humble yourself.”
The blessing was followed by the washing of the feet. Reverend Banivanua washed Ratu Timoci’s feet after which Ratu Timoci also washed the feet of the chiefs of the Yavusa Ratu.
The Roko Tui Bau promised his people that he would work with them.
He pleaded that at all times God should be leading them.
Ratu Timoci said that his appointment was from God and he would always glorify the good Lord.
Speaking on the theme of the installation – A New Beginning Then and Today (Nai Tekitekivu Vou),
Reverend Jolami Lasawa said that in 1853, it was a new beginning in Bau history when Rev Joseph Waterhouse first occupied the mission house on “the hill on Bau” which is now called `Delanikoro’.
“Priests referred to that mission house as the `bird that has roosted on the hill’,” he said. Another presentation was made by the Yavusa Ratu by Tui Nabou, Semi Matalau to the Yavusa Tui Kaba to inform the chiefly clan that they had installed the Roko Tui Bau.
After this presentation, Ratu George Kadavulevu Cakobau, called to receive the kamunaga, however it was handed over to Ratu Epenisa Cakobau.
When asked to comment on this, the Turaga na Masau, Ratu Kinijoji Toganivalu said they had thought the kamunaga would be received by Ratu George as he was older than Ratu Epenisa.
He said the Yavusa Ratu could not comment on this as the decision was from the chiefly clan. Before the blessing the Prime Minister told the Fiji Sun that Ratu Timoci had chosen the way he had to be installed and his people supported it.
Reverend Mosese Cakau from the Assemblies of God helped Reverend Banivanua at the blessing ceremony.