Soroaqali
Encyclopedia
Toki Soroaqali was a Lau
an chief and member of the noble dynasty of Vuanirewa
in Fiji
.
He was the second son of Rasolo
, the first Tui Nayau
through a lady of rank from the Narewadamu. He was thus half brother to both, the second and third Tui Nayau’s, Roko Malani
and Taliai Tupou
.
As his mother belonged to the Narewadamu, the original noble houses of Lakeba
, he was considered Vasu i Taukei, having greater rights in Lakeba through his mother. Prior to Roko Malani becoming Roko Sau
, he and his younger brother Taliai Tupou, whose mothers were from outside Lakeba, offered him the right to become Roko Sau and Tui Nayau. He opted out stating that should he become High Chief, the Lakeba people would not listen to them as they had no kinsfolk amongst them but should Malani take the chieftainship and require anything, he would direct the Lakeba people to follow his brother’s orders as they were his kin. It was thus that Roko Malani succeeded to Roko Sau and Tui Nayau without further dispute.
Further records show that Soroaqali was alive when the first missionaries
arrived on Lakeba. He however despised the new religion and opposed Christianity
to the end.
Lau
Lau may refer to:An indigenous people that live on the Solomon Islands.People with the German/Austrian surname:* Charlie Lau, catcher and hitting coach in Major League Baseball* Laurence Lau , actor...
an chief and member of the noble dynasty of 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 :...
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...
.
He was the second son 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...
, the first Tui Nayau
Tui Nayau
Tui Nayau is the title held by the Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands in Fiji and is synonymous with the title holders over lordship of these islands. When translated Tui Nayau means Lord of Nayau, an island north of Lakeba, the latter accepted by many to be the chiefly island in the Lauan...
through a lady of rank from the Narewadamu. He was thus half brother to both, the second and third Tui Nayau’s, Roko Malani
Malani
Roko Malani was the eldest son of Rasolo, the first Tui Nayau , and of Laufitu a high-ranking lady of Totoya and Tongan descent. He succeeded to the title Roko Sau, after engineering a successful coup d'état and slaying his uncle, Matawalu, the fourth Roko Sau, in battle...
and Taliai Tupou
Taliai Tupou
Roko Taliai Tupou was the son of Rasolo the first Tui Nayau and Radravu of Totoya. He is the younger brother of Roko Malani. He was the 3rd person to be installed to the Tui Nayau title. He is considered the progenitor of the noble household, Vatuwaqa in the chiefly Vuanirewa clan and as such, was...
.
As his mother belonged to the Narewadamu, the original noble 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...
, he was considered Vasu i Taukei, having greater rights in Lakeba through his mother. Prior to Roko Malani becoming Roko Sau
Roko Sau
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.-A brief history:...
, he and his younger brother Taliai Tupou, whose mothers were from outside Lakeba, offered him the right to become Roko Sau and Tui Nayau. He opted out stating that should he become High Chief, the Lakeba people would not listen to them as they had no kinsfolk amongst them but should Malani take the chieftainship and require anything, he would direct the Lakeba people to follow his brother’s orders as they were his kin. It was thus that Roko Malani succeeded to Roko Sau and Tui Nayau without further dispute.
Further records show that Soroaqali was alive when the first missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
arrived on Lakeba. He however despised the new religion and opposed Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
to the end.