Alifereti Finau Ulugalala
Encyclopedia
Ratu Alifereti Finau was the eleventh Roko Sau of Lau
and the fifth Tui Nayau
. He was the son of Ratu
Tevita Uluilakeba II and Adi
Asenaca Kakua Vuikaba, daughter of the Vunivalu of Bau
and self styled King of Fiji
, Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau
. He was a member of the noble household Matailakeba.
His father Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba II would have eventually succeeded to the title had it not been for his premature death. As Alifereti Finau was still a minor, the title was succeeded to by his cousin Eroni Loganimoce
, Roko Taliai Tupou
’s son.
In 1898 with the death of Eroni Loganimoce, Alifereti Finau’s maternal relative Ratu Penaia Kadavulevu
leader of the country at the time, went to Lau and made him Sau ni Vanua and Tui Nayau. The son of Eroni, Ratu Salesi Kinikinilau was also a contending rival to the title, but it is assumed that a possible reason for Ratu Kadavulevu’s eventual selection was due to the notion of dynastic extensions of power, as Alifereti had also married a high ranking lady from Bau. Ratu Finau's wife Adi Ateca Moceiwai is recorded to have been influential in introducing Bauan standards, manners and protocols in Lakeba
which in time became dominant.
Ratu Finau was responsible and instrumental in promoting his nephew’s Ratu Lala Sukuna
’s education overseas. It is recorded that he levied one ton of copra from every adult male in Lau in order to fund Ratu Sukuna’s education. His intention for this was that he saw the need to groom a powerful and articulate indigenous spokesman in government and in the councils of the nation to combat the increasing aggressive promotion of their own interests by Indians and Europeans
. In time his nephew Ratu Sukuna would realize his intentions by becoming one of the most respected leaders of modern Fiji.
Ratu Finau’s patronage for enhancing education amongst his people is perhaps his greatest contribution during his reign. He founded the first school Lau Provincial School in Tubou, Lakeba in 1908, and his policy was to recruit staff from the United Kingdom. Some early pioneering teachers at this school included the famous ethnographer and anthropologist, A. M. Hocart.
Ratu Finau died in Tubou
, Lakeba on the 3rd of April 1934 and was succeeded by his son, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba III
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...
and the fifth 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...
. He was the son of Ratu
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
Tevita Uluilakeba II and Adi
Adi (title)
Adi is a title used by Fijian women of chiefly rank, namely female members of chiefly clans. It is the equivalent of the Ratu title used by male chiefs. It is in general use throughout most of Fiji, although on Kadavu Island, Bulou is used instead....
Asenaca Kakua Vuikaba, daughter of the Vunivalu of Bau
Vunivalu of Bau
Turaga na Vunivalu ni Bau is the Paramount Chief of the Kubuna Confederacy, loosely translated the title means Warlord of Bau or Root of War. The succession to the title does not follow primogeniture, but the candidate must be a high ranking member of the Tui Kaba clan.-A brief history:The...
and self styled King of Fiji
Tui Viti
The monarchy of Fiji arose in the mid-nineteenth century when native ruler Seru Epenisa Cakobau consolidated control of the Fijian Islands and declared himself King or paramount chief of Fiji . In 1874, he voluntarily ceded sovereignty of the islands to Britain, which made Fiji a Crown colony...
, Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau
Seru Epenisa Cakobau
Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau was a Fijian Ratu and warlord who united part of Fiji's warring tribes under his leadership, establishing a united Fijian kingdom.-Background:...
. He was a member of the noble household Matailakeba.
His father Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba II would have eventually succeeded to the title had it not been for his premature death. As Alifereti Finau was still a minor, the title was succeeded to by his cousin Eroni Loganimoce
Eroni Loganimoce
Eroni Loganimoce is a former Fijian cricketer. Loganimoce was a right-arm medium pace bowler.Loganimoce made his first-class debut for Fiji in 1954 against Canterbury during Fiji's 1953/54 tour of New Zealand...
, Roko 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...
’s son.
In 1898 with the death of Eroni Loganimoce, Alifereti Finau’s maternal relative Ratu Penaia Kadavulevu
Penaia Kadavulevu
Ratu Penaia Kadavulevu was the son of Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, upon whose death in 1901 he inherited the title of Vunivalu of Bau, the paramount chief of the Kubuna Confederacy of Fiji....
leader of the country at the time, went to Lau and made him Sau ni Vanua and Tui Nayau. The son of Eroni, Ratu Salesi Kinikinilau was also a contending rival to the title, but it is assumed that a possible reason for Ratu Kadavulevu’s eventual selection was due to the notion of dynastic extensions of power, as Alifereti had also married a high ranking lady from Bau. Ratu Finau's wife Adi Ateca Moceiwai is recorded to have been influential in introducing Bauan standards, manners and protocols 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...
which in time became dominant.
Ratu Finau was responsible and instrumental in promoting his nephew’s Ratu Lala Sukuna
Lala Sukuna
Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, KCMG, KBE was a Fijian chief, scholar, soldier, and statesman. He is regarded as the forerunner of the post-independence leadership of Fiji...
’s education overseas. It is recorded that he levied one ton of copra from every adult male in Lau in order to fund Ratu Sukuna’s education. His intention for this was that he saw the need to groom a powerful and articulate indigenous spokesman in government and in the councils of the nation to combat the increasing aggressive promotion of their own interests by Indians and Europeans
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
. In time his nephew Ratu Sukuna would realize his intentions by becoming one of the most respected leaders of modern Fiji.
Ratu Finau’s patronage for enhancing education amongst his people is perhaps his greatest contribution during his reign. He founded the first school Lau Provincial School in Tubou, Lakeba in 1908, and his policy was to recruit staff from the United Kingdom. Some early pioneering teachers at this school included the famous ethnographer and anthropologist, A. M. Hocart.
Ratu Finau died 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...
, Lakeba on the 3rd of April 1934 and was succeeded by his son, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba III
Tevita Uluilakeba III
Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba III was the 12th Tui Nayau and Sau Ni Vanua of the Lau Islands. He was also the father of the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, founding father of the modern nation of Fiji....