Roko Sau
Encyclopedia
Sau Mai Kedekede is a title held, NOT in tandem with the title tui nayau, by the paramount chief of the Lau Islands
in Fiji
.
n word “Hau”, denoting the divine nature of the Tu'i Tonga
suggesting the frequent intercourse amongst the chiefly houses of Lakeba
and Tonga in pre-Christian times. The title of Sau is considered much older, SUPERIOR and is independent of the title Tui Nayau, as its original holders were from the island of Lakeba (pre-Vuanirewa
dynasty).
The first recorded holder of the title was Qilaiso and through him and his three descendants and successors, all of southern Lau (Kabara
, Fulaga
, Ono-i- Lau and their dependencies) was brought into Lakeba’s control and suzerainty
. The Sau title eventually merged in time with the title Tui Nayau, and its dual usage commenced in the person of Rasolo
. Both titles Sau Mai Kedekede and Tui Nayau are now inextricably linked, and heirs succeeding to the title Tui Nayau cannot do so unless recognised and installed as Sau Ni Vanua.
ceremony for the Sau Ni Vanua takes place in Tubou
on Lakeba. Once the elders of the Vuanirewa have endorsed the successor to the previous Tui Nayau, the Ramasi or chief makers and Vakavanua or chiefs herald are summoned to undertake the ceremony. The Ramasi consists of the Tui Tubou and the Tui Nasaqalau
and the Vakavanua comprises the Tui Ceiekena and Tui Soso (from Nukunuku village). During the ceremony the recipient will have a piece of bark cloth tied on his arms by each of the Ramasi and the coronation turban placed upon his head by the Vakavanua. He also receive the coronation cup containing kava
, which he must drink to affirm his becoming Sau Ni Vanua. This is then followed by a general kava
ceremony where principal chiefs of rank in Lau drink in turn, ceremonial titles are conferred by the Sau and gifts are presented by his people. The Sau's installation concludes with the removal of the arm bands and ritual bath after four days.
Of the Ceiekena Dynasty (16–17th century):
Levuka Occupancy of Lakeba (early to mid-18th century)
The Vuanirewa Dynasty (mid-18th century to present)
(title merges with Tui Nayau title in the person of Rasolo
)
Lau Islands
The Lau Islands of Fiji are situated in the southern Pacific Ocean, just east of the Koro Sea. Of this chain of about one hundred islands and islets, about thirty are inhabited...
in Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
.
A brief history
The title Sau Mai Kedekede originates from the TongaTonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
n word “Hau”, denoting the divine nature of the Tu'i Tonga
Tu'i Tonga
The Tui Tonga is a line of Tongan kings, which originated in the 10th century with the mythical Ahoeitu; withdrew from political power in the 15th century by yielding to the Tui Haatakalaua; and died out with Laufilitonga in 1865...
suggesting the frequent intercourse amongst the chiefly houses of Lakeba
Lakeba
Lakeba is an island in Fiji's Southern Lau Archipelago; the provincial capital of Lau is located here. The island is the tenth largest in Fiji, with a land area of nearly 60 square kilometers. It is fertile and well watered, and encircled by a 29-kilometer road. Its closest neighbors are Aiwa...
and Tonga in pre-Christian times. The title of Sau is considered much older, SUPERIOR and is independent of the title Tui Nayau, as its original holders were from the island of Lakeba (pre-Vuanirewa
Vuanirewa
The Vuanirewa is the ruling tribe of the Lau Islands, a scattered group of more than a hundred islands and reefs along the eastern edge of Fiji.- Origins :...
dynasty).
The first recorded holder of the title was Qilaiso and through him and his three descendants and successors, all of southern Lau (Kabara
Kabara
Kabara is an island of Fiji, a member of the Lau archipelago. With a land area of 31 km² , its population of some 700 lives in four villages.The islanders are noted for their craftsmanship in the area of wood carving...
, Fulaga
Fulaga
Fulaga is a crescent-shaped reef-limestone island in Fiji's Southern Lau Group.-Geography:Situated at 19.17° South and 178.65° West, it covers an area of 18.5 square kilometres. It has a maximum elevation of 79 metres. The limestone belongs to the Koroqara Limestone and is probably Late Miocene...
, Ono-i- Lau and their dependencies) was brought into Lakeba’s control and suzerainty
Suzerainty
Suzerainty occurs where a region or people is a tributary to a more powerful entity which controls its foreign affairs while allowing the tributary vassal state some limited domestic autonomy. The dominant entity in the suzerainty relationship, or the more powerful entity itself, is called a...
. The Sau title eventually merged in time with the title Tui Nayau, and its dual usage commenced in the person of Rasolo
Rasolo
Rasolo was the second son of Niumataiwalu, founder of the Vuanirewa dynasty or noble clan of the Lau Islands in Fiji.-Vuanirewa:Rasolo became the third Roko Sau of the Lau Islands and first installed holder of the title Tui Nayau. According to oral history, when Rasolo and the rest of his family...
. Both titles Sau Mai Kedekede and Tui Nayau are now inextricably linked, and heirs succeeding to the title Tui Nayau cannot do so unless recognised and installed as Sau Ni Vanua.
The installation
The coronationCoronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
ceremony for the Sau Ni Vanua takes place in Tubou
Tubou
Tubou is a village on the Fijian island of Lakeba. One of eight villages on Lakeba, it is considered the capital of the Lau Islands, being the seat of the Vuanirewa clan, a powerful chiefly family from which Fiji's longtime Prime Minister and President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and one of Fiji's...
on Lakeba. Once the elders of the Vuanirewa have endorsed the successor to the previous Tui Nayau, the Ramasi or chief makers and Vakavanua or chiefs herald are summoned to undertake the ceremony. The Ramasi consists of the Tui Tubou and the Tui Nasaqalau
Nasaqalau
Nasaqalau is one of eight villages on the island of Lakeba, in Fiji's Lau archipelago.The Original inhabitants of Lakeba Island are those that reside in Nasaqalau they came from Waimaro of the Dreketi clan through Matuku and onto Nasaqalau...
and the Vakavanua comprises the Tui Ceiekena and Tui Soso (from Nukunuku village). During the ceremony the recipient will have a piece of bark cloth tied on his arms by each of the Ramasi and the coronation turban placed upon his head by the Vakavanua. He also receive the coronation cup containing kava
Kava
Kava or kava-kava is a crop of the western Pacific....
, which he must drink to affirm his becoming Sau Ni Vanua. This is then followed by a general kava
Kava
Kava or kava-kava is a crop of the western Pacific....
ceremony where principal chiefs of rank in Lau drink in turn, ceremonial titles are conferred by the Sau and gifts are presented by his people. The Sau's installation concludes with the removal of the arm bands and ritual bath after four days.
Title holders
The historical holders of the title of Sau Mai Kedekede:Of the Ceiekena Dynasty (16–17th century):
- Qilaiso
- Bativanua
- Ginigini
- Vuakilau or Fuakilau
Levuka Occupancy of Lakeba (early to mid-18th century)
- Codro
The Vuanirewa Dynasty (mid-18th century to present)
(title merges with Tui Nayau title in the person of Rasolo
Rasolo
Rasolo was the second son of Niumataiwalu, founder of the Vuanirewa dynasty or noble clan of the Lau Islands in Fiji.-Vuanirewa:Rasolo became the third Roko Sau of the Lau Islands and first installed holder of the title Tui Nayau. According to oral history, when Rasolo and the rest of his family...
)