Fiji Sun News
By Maika Bolatiki
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| Ratu Joji Cakobau, son of the late Vunivalu of Bau Ratu Sir George Cakobau. The chiefly clan of the Tui Kaba-i-cake will meet this Friday to decide on who would be the next Vunivalu. |
A decision is expected by Friday on who will be installed as the Turaga na Vunivalu and Tui Kaba, the overlord chief of the Kubuna confederacy.
This was confirmed to the Fiji Sun by Ratu Joji Cakobau, the son of the late Vunivalu, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, in an interview at Mokani village in Tailevu on Saturday. He said the chiefly clan of the Tui Kaba-i-cake would meet in Bau this Friday and would decide on who would be the next Vunivalu.
The chiefly title and position had remained vacant when his father, the former Turaga na Vunivalu, Ratu Sir George passed away in 1989. Whoever will get the chiefly title, he will be Fiji’s highest-ranking traditional chief.
Ratu Joji is the youngest son of the late Ratu George from his first wife, Adi Veniana Gavoka. His elder sister Adi Samanunu Talakuli had held Cabinet office and served as Fiji’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, before being appointed to the Senate in June 2006. Adi Litia Cakobau also served as a senator from 2001 to 2006.
Ratu Joji said his sisters could not hold the chiefly title as traditionally the chiefly title could only be held by a male. He said they had been meeting for quite some time to decide on who should be traditionally installed as the Vunivalu of Bau.
“By next Friday we should know who will hold the chiefly title,” Ratu Joji said. Currently Ratu Joji said he was the head of the Kubuna clan (Liuliu ni mataqali o Kubuna). He had also admitted during the interview that he has the support of his elder sisters and his chiefly clan to be installed as the Vunivalu of Bau.
The other candidate for the chiefly title is Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, the son of Ratu Sir George from his second wife Lady Lelea Seruwaia Balekiwai.
The Vunivalu of Bau is the paramount chief of the Kubuna confederacy.
According to tradition, members of the mataqali Tui Kaba decide among themselves who should be installed as the Vunivalu before the Roko Tui Bau traditionally installs the Vunivalu.
The Roko Tui Bau Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi currently holds the kingmakers’ title.
Fiji Village News
Cakobau Family to Meet on Saturday to Decide on Vunivalu Title
Close family members of the late Vunivalu of Bau, Ratu Sir George Cakobau are expected to meet this Saturday to decide on who should take the vacant chiefly title.
This has been confirmed by the Tunitoga, Ratu Veiwili Komaitai who will chair the meeting in Bau.
Ratu Komaitai said the decision on the rightful title holder will be made during the gathering as the title has been vacant since 1989 when Ratu Sir George Cakobau passed away.
Ratu Sir George Cakobau was also the former Governor General of Fiji.
Ratu Veiwili confirmed the Cakobau brothers including Ratu Joji Cakobau and Ratu Epenisa Cakobau will be present in the meeting.
He added the date for the installation of the new Vunivalu will also be decided this weekend.
Ratu Joji Cakobau is the eldest son of the late Ratu Sir George Cakobau from his first marriage.
Ratu Epenisa Cakobau is the eldest son from his second marriage.
Ratu Sir George Cakobau’s eldest child is Adi Samanunu Talakuli.
The Turaga na Vunivalu ni Bau is also the Paramount Chief of the Kubuna Confederacy.
It has been stated that the holder of the title must be a high ranking member of the Tui Kaba clan.
