Vuetasau
Encyclopedia
Viliame Vuetasau (c.1820-1857) was the son of Roko
Malani
, the seventh Roko Sau of Lau
and second Tui Nayau
and Ciri of Taqalevu. During the reign of his Uncle Taliai Tupou
, third Tui Nayau, he was considered heir to the title. He was the first of his noble line to be given a western name, William, after Willam Cary, survivor of the Nantucket whaling ship Oeno that was wrecked in the Lau Islands
in 1825. William Cary was rescued by a brother of Roko Malani, who in time became close friends with Roko Malani himself, who named his son after the New England
er, demonstrating his attachment to the shipwrecked sailor.
Vuetasau was instrumental in strengthening the hold of Christianity
in Lakeba
, and thereafter the rest of Lau. On the arrival of Christian missionaries William Cross and David Cargill
on Lakeba in 1835, an announcement of their mission to Taliai Tupou was made and accordingly they were conducted to Matailakeba, his heirs' house, while the purpose of their coming was once again explained. Vuetasau approved and Taliai Tupou in turn followed suit and the missionaries were allowed to stay and establish a church.
Vuetasau never succeeded to his uncles title as he drowned in 1857 whilst in an expedition with Tongan Chief Ma’afu. His eldest son Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba II would in time succeed to the title Roko Sau, but would similarly like his father share a premature death never succeeding to the title Tui Nayau.
Roko
Roko is a title used by Fiji of chiefly rank specifically from the Lau Islands. Its equivalent from the Kubuna Confederacy is the Bauan form of Ratu and Ro from parts of the Burebasaga Confederacy. This title was widely used amongst members of the chiefly Vuanirewa clan up to the mid 19th century...
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...
, the seventh Roko Sau of Lau
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...
and second 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...
and Ciri of Taqalevu. During the reign of his Uncle 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...
, third Tui Nayau, he was considered heir to the title. He was the first of his noble line to be given a western name, William, after Willam Cary, survivor of the Nantucket whaling ship Oeno that was wrecked in the Lau Islands
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 1825. William Cary was rescued by a brother of Roko Malani, who in time became close friends with Roko Malani himself, who named his son after the New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
er, demonstrating his attachment to the shipwrecked sailor.
Vuetasau was instrumental in strengthening the hold of 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...
in 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 thereafter the rest of Lau. On the arrival of Christian missionaries William Cross and David Cargill
David Cargill
David Cargill is a Scottish former professional association football player who played as a left winger.-External links:* at the Post-War Player Database...
on Lakeba in 1835, an announcement of their mission to Taliai Tupou was made and accordingly they were conducted to Matailakeba, his heirs' house, while the purpose of their coming was once again explained. Vuetasau approved and Taliai Tupou in turn followed suit and the missionaries were allowed to stay and establish a church.
Vuetasau never succeeded to his uncles title as he drowned in 1857 whilst in an expedition with Tongan Chief Ma’afu. His eldest son Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba II would in time succeed to the title Roko Sau, but would similarly like his father share a premature death never succeeding to the title Tui Nayau.