Dranivia
Encyclopedia
Dranivia was an 18th century Lauan chief and noble of the Vuanirewa
dynasty. He was the third son of Uluilakeba I
and last recorded member of the noble household, Naivi, to hold the title Roko Sau
of the Lau Islands
. He is referred to as an usurper and often oral history does not include hims as a Roko Sau. He is said to have snatched the chieftainship during the absence of his uncle Matawalu
from Lakeba, and without the consent of the Vuanirewa
. On hearing of his nephew's treachery, Matawalu returned from Bau and reasserted his authority, while Dranivia was touring the Southern Lau islands. Dranivia immediately returned to Lakeba which precipitated in kin slaying amongst the Vuanirewa. Dranivia was defeated and he fled with his supporters to Nayau and establishing the village of Liku.
It is recorded that Dranivia's aspiration for power does not end here. Matawalu himself was slain on Lakeba by his other nephew Malani
, son of Rasolo. On hearing this Dranivia again raised an army and attempted to seize Lakeba again. His attempt was thwarted however as Malani's relative, a son of Delailoa
residing on Nayau, warned him of Dranivia's impending plans. This information enabled Malani to crush Dranivia's forces and removed him from any further rebellions. It was due to the subduing of Dranivia, head the elder noble house of Naivi, by the younger noble households of Matailakeba (Malani) and Vatuwaqa (Taliai Tupou
) that has completely eliminated any members of Naivi, the right to contest for the title of Tui Nayau
to this day.
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. He was the third son of Uluilakeba I
Uluilakeba I
Uluilakeba I was the second child and eldest son of Niumataiwalu. He succeeded to his fathers title, becoming the second Roko Sau and High Chief of the Lau Islands, upon the latter’s death in Ono-i-Lau. He was the progenitor of the senior and eldest of the four noble households in the Vuanirewa...
and last recorded member of the noble household, Naivi, to hold the title 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:...
of 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...
. He is referred to as an usurper and often oral history does not include hims as a Roko Sau. He is said to have snatched the chieftainship during the absence of his uncle Matawalu
Matawalu
Matawalu was the son of Niumataiwalu, first Roko Sau of Lau and Uma of Nukunuku. He became the fourth Roko Sau, ruler of the Lau Islands, after the death of his brother Rasolo, but never succeeded to the title Tui Nayau. He had been similarly exiled to Nayau like Rasolo by his elder brother...
from Lakeba, and without the consent of the 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 :...
. On hearing of his nephew's treachery, Matawalu returned from Bau and reasserted his authority, while Dranivia was touring the Southern Lau islands. Dranivia immediately returned to Lakeba which precipitated in kin slaying amongst the Vuanirewa. Dranivia was defeated and he fled with his supporters to Nayau and establishing the village of Liku.
It is recorded that Dranivia's aspiration for power does not end here. Matawalu himself was slain on Lakeba by his other nephew 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...
, son of Rasolo. On hearing this Dranivia again raised an army and attempted to seize Lakeba again. His attempt was thwarted however as Malani's relative, a son of Delailoa
Delailoa
Delailoa was the son of Qoma who survived the revenge killing of Niumataiwalu on his father and other siblings. He was saved when his mother's people from Waciwaci in Lakeba, hid him from Niumataiwalu...
residing on Nayau, warned him of Dranivia's impending plans. This information enabled Malani to crush Dranivia's forces and removed him from any further rebellions. It was due to the subduing of Dranivia, head the elder noble house of Naivi, by the younger noble households of Matailakeba (Malani) and Vatuwaqa (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...
) that has completely eliminated any members of Naivi, the right to contest for the title of 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...
to this day.