Burebasaga pledges full support

WE the Burebasaga confederacy fully support the installation of Ratu Epenisa Cakobau as the Vunivalu na Tui Kaba, says Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa.

Speaking to The Fiji Times yesterday, she said she hoped that having the chiefly position of Vunivalu na Tui Kaba filled would bring about unity and stability.

The Rewa paramount chief said the event was significant and was something needed to be maintained in the vanua.

“For the past 33 years, only two confederacies have had their chief installed, and this has been an unbroken link from one chief to another in Burebasaga and Tovata,” she said.

“So traditionally in Fiji there are three confederacies — Kubuna, Burebasaga and Tovata.

“Although the position of Vunivalu has been vacant all these years, normally in a traditional protocol the first confederacy that is mentioned is Kubuna and then Burebasaga and Tovata.”

Ro Teimumu said the Burebasaga confederacy was supportive of the installation ceremony of Ratu Epenisa Cakobau as Vunivalu na Tui Kaba.

“With the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) meeting in May, its being re-established after 16 years and the chiefly position of Vunivalu filled, I think it augurs well for the future of the three confederacies.

“Our prayer from Burebasaga is that all will go well when the Vunivalu will take up his rightful position as the head of the Kubuna confederacy.

“And we also hope that various positions in the yavusa and mataqali throughout Fiji will also take their cue from this and work towards filling vacant positions.

“So this is a huge movement forward for the confederacies, particularly with Kubuna taking up its rightful role.

“It’s just something that we all look forward to and we just pray for Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and the people of Kubuna.”