Vanua o Kaba ‘decides’
continue the discussions.
The title of Turaga na Tui Kaba na Vunivalu has been vacant since 1989, following the death of Ratu Sir George Cakobau.
Ratu George was installed on September 18, 1959.
The Turaga na Tui Kaba na Vunivalu is the paramount chief of the Kubuna confederacy.
In 2018, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, who is the son of the late Ratu George, was to be installed. However, it was called off after Ratu Epenisa’s older brother, Ratu Joji Kadavulevu Cakobau, had written to the Native Land Commission (NLC) disputing the decision. Ratu Joji passed away the same year. Sauturaga, Setareki Matavucu of Vatani Village in Kaba, Tailevu questioned the urgency of the installation. He said a traditional process must be followed before the day of installation.
This included the reservation of fishing grounds, planting of food and the planting of pandunas leaves (for mats) to name a few. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, head of the chiefly household of Naisogolaca said the installation of the Turaga na Tui Kaba na Vunivalu would come from the Native Lands Commission (NLC).
“Listen to he said the veitarogi vanua,” over the phone last night.
Cultural advocacy, consultancy and research expert Simione Sevudredre highlighted that behind the title of the Vunivalu,
there were other chiefs, stakeholders whose voice needs to be heard and whose assent or endorsement must be taken into account. He said maybe it was worth considering that the Kaba people had a voice that determined who holds the Tui Kaba title.
“To understand the significance of the Vunivalu title, one needs to understand the history behind the title. In the original scheme of things of history the Tui Kaba
title can be stated that the person who has that title reigns over the Naitodua clan of Kaba,” Mr Sevudredre said.
“Once the Tui Kaba is selected then the Vunivalu title is another addition to it.
He said a chief must be a person who served the people.
“He goes down to the people and serves them. Being a chief is a gown to be worn in the service of the people, not a privilege. “The person should be seen to be of the people. A chief must be connected with the people and the people must be connected to the chief.
The connection is that the people must have faith and believe that his chief will look after them.”
The Native Lands Commission (NLC) acting chair Apimeleki Tola said only those who would perform traditional protocol needed to speak up. NLC would only interfere when the position is being disputed.