3234 chiefly titles vacant – ministry

A TOTAL of 3234 iTaukei chiefly titles remain vacant within the 14 provinces in the country.

Of this figure, the iTaukei Affairs Ministry revealed that 83 were heads of districts (turaga ni vanua), 2482 were heads of landowning units

(turaga ni mataqali) and 669 were tribal leaders

(turaga ni yavusa).

The province of Ra recorded the highest vacant turaga ni vanua titles registering 14 followed by Cakaudrove with 10.

Tailevu has 86 vacant turaga ni yavusa titles — the highest — followed by Nadroga with 73.

Tailevu Province recorded the highest number of vacant turaga ni mataqali seats at 341 followed by Lomaiviti with 219.

A ministerial statement responding to queries from this newspaper stated there were 12,221 family units (tokatoka) in the country with 8382 still registered while 3839 were void.

The ministerial statement said all iTaukei traditional chiefly titleholders flowed through the paternal bloodline and it was important to fill vacant traditional titles as they provided a sense of direction and guidance within the iTaukei community.

“Traditional chiefly titles are considered sacred and those who are traditionally installed are treated with the highest respect and at times, act as mediator for common good,” the statement said. “Installations of traditional leaders act as a historical intellect depository for

the younger people to know those who were in leadership at various generations.

“Traditional installation ceremonies provide a sense of responsibility for the leaders with the understanding that their role has been registered and recognised by Government and any decision they make shall be for the betterment of their people and will also empower them to make decisions that will enhance development within the community.”

The statement said filling chiefly titles was a challenge at times because of lack of frequent meetings including bosevanua; household, clan, and tribal meetings.

“Baseline information contained by those in the leadership clans differed from commission records or external influence from other land owning units,” the statement said.