Matawalu
Encyclopedia
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 Uluilakeba I
. When Uluilakeba I was killed by invading Baun forces, he later lead the counter invading force for his brother Rasolo at the request of the Lakeba
people. It is said that he despised the Tonga
ns, his sister-on-law Laufitu
's people and their growing influence in Lakeba
. On succeeding Rasolo he removed himself to self exile on Bau Island
.
His nephew, Nayacatabu, son of Uluilakeba I was left as regent in his absence, but was killed in a foray against the neighbouring island of Cicia
. It was during this period that Dranivia
seized power and declared himself Roko Sau. His claim to power was however short lived. While on a tour of Southern Lau, Matawalu returned to Lakeba, retook overlordship and gave orders to prevent Dranivia's return. Dranivia attempted to seize Lakeba again by force but failed.
Matawalu's dislike for Tongans resulted in direct conflict with his other nephew Roko Malani, son of Rasolo who was half Tongan through his mother Laufitu
. A battle ensued between the two opposing factions and Matawalu was killed.
Matawalu married Siri of Waitabu and from him, are descended the majority of the Koroicumu noble household of the Vuanirewa
clan. Matawalu has been the only recorded member of the Koroicumu noble household to have held the title Roko Sau.
Niumataiwalu
Niumataiwalu was the founder of the Vuanirewa dynasty, a noble clan of the Lau Islands from which the Tui Nayau is chosen. Niumataiwalu was the son of Delainavugalei, a high ranking noble of the island of Nayau and Lakeba....
, first Roko Sau of Lau and Uma of Nukunuku. He became the fourth Roko Sau, ruler 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...
, after the death of his brother 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...
, but never succeeded to the title 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 had been similarly exiled to Nayau like 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...
by his elder brother 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...
. When Uluilakeba I was killed by invading Baun forces, he later lead the counter invading force for his brother Rasolo at the request of the 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...
people. It is said that he despised the Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
ns, his sister-on-law Laufitu
Laufitu
Laufitu was a Tongan-Fijian chieftainess. She was the first wife of Rasolo, who was the third Roko Sau of the Lau Islands and first installed holder of the title Tui Nayau. She was by him the mother of Malani, the seventh Roko Sau and the second to hold the Tui Nayau title of the Vuanirewa dynasty...
's people and their growing influence 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...
. On succeeding Rasolo he removed himself to self exile on Bau Island
Bau Island
Bau is a small island in Fiji, off the east coast of the main island of Viti Levu.-History:With the aid of Charlie Savage, who brought firearms to Bau Island, the Bauan people quickly established themselves as an undefeatable military force...
.
His nephew, Nayacatabu, son of Uluilakeba I was left as regent in his absence, but was killed in a foray against the neighbouring island of Cicia
Cicia
Cicia is a Fijian island of the Lau Group. One of the Northern Lau Islands, Cicia is volcanic and is composed of raised coral. Its area is 34 km²....
. It was during this period that Dranivia
Dranivia
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...
seized power and declared himself Roko Sau. His claim to power was however short lived. While on a tour of Southern Lau, Matawalu returned to Lakeba, retook overlordship and gave orders to prevent Dranivia's return. Dranivia attempted to seize Lakeba again by force but failed.
Matawalu's dislike for Tongans resulted in direct conflict with his other nephew Roko Malani, son of Rasolo who was half Tongan through his mother Laufitu
Laufitu
Laufitu was a Tongan-Fijian chieftainess. She was the first wife of Rasolo, who was the third Roko Sau of the Lau Islands and first installed holder of the title Tui Nayau. She was by him the mother of Malani, the seventh Roko Sau and the second to hold the Tui Nayau title of the Vuanirewa dynasty...
. A battle ensued between the two opposing factions and Matawalu was killed.
Matawalu married Siri of Waitabu and from him, are descended the majority of the Koroicumu noble household 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 :...
clan. Matawalu has been the only recorded member of the Koroicumu noble household to have held the title Roko Sau.