Rusiate Nayacakalou
Encyclopedia
Rusiate Nayacakalou was a Fijian
social anthropologist who was a graduate of the universities of New Zealand and London. Following his education at Lelean Memorial School
, in Nausori
, Fiji
Nayacakalou joined the Fijian public service where his excellent academic potential was recognised by the Colonial Government and was sent for tertiary education in New Zealand. He completed a B.A Economics (1st Class Honours) and then a B.A Anthropology before completing an M.A in Anthropology (Honours) in 1956. He then went on to the University of London
where he became the first South Pacific islander to graduate with a PhD in 1963. His mentor at the University of London was Professor Sir Raymond Firth.
In 1964, after appointment to the staff of the Anthropology Department of Sydney University, he was released to advise the Council of Chiefs in Fiji on the restructuring of the Fijian Administration and was later responsible for implementing this restructuring.
Dr. Nayacakalou was awarded the O.B.E in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 1971 as a result of that work.
His citation reads:
“The general acceptance and successful implementation of the important reforms of the Fijian Administration are largely the works of Dr Nayacakalou and in this achievement he has made a significant contribution to the future of his people and the Dominion of Fiji.”
Rusiate Nayacakalou's untimely passing in 1972 occurred while he was managing the Native Land Trust Board in Fiji. His life and work illustrate the ways in which anthropological reflexivity can inspire moral critique from its subjects when a critical stance toward tradition is mistaken as an attack on indigenous sovereignty.
As a scholar, administrator, consultant and statesman, he served Fiji and the Pacific.
The Polynesian Society
of the University of Auckland
, New Zealand decided to instigate a Medal named in honour of Dr Nayacakalou, for recognising distinguished scholarly publications on the islands and communities of Polynesia. The Nayacakalou Medal was designed for the Polynesian Society by Robert Ellis, (Retired 1994) Professor of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland and was awarded for the first time in the Centennial Year of the university, in 1986.
Fijian
Fijian may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to the country of Fiji* The Fijian people, persons from Fiji, or of Fijian descent. For more information about the Fijian people, see:** Demographics of Fiji** Culture of Fiji* The Fijian language...
social anthropologist who was a graduate of the universities of New Zealand and London. Following his education at Lelean Memorial School
Lelean Memorial School
Lelean Memorial School is one of the largest co-ed schools in Fiji today. It was established in 1943 and is run by the Methodist Church of Fiji. It is co-located at the Davuilevu Methodist Compound with the and the Young People's Department, which runs training for Methodist catechists...
, in Nausori
Nausori
Nausori is a town in Fiji. It had a population of 47,604 at the 2007 census, the most recent to date. This makes it the fourth most populous municipality in the country. Situated 19 kilometers out of Suva, it forms one pole of the burgeoning Suva-Nausori corridor.Nausori grew up around Fiji's...
, Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
Nayacakalou joined the Fijian public service where his excellent academic potential was recognised by the Colonial Government and was sent for tertiary education in New Zealand. He completed a B.A Economics (1st Class Honours) and then a B.A Anthropology before completing an M.A in Anthropology (Honours) in 1956. He then went on to the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
where he became the first South Pacific islander to graduate with a PhD in 1963. His mentor at the University of London was Professor Sir Raymond Firth.
In 1964, after appointment to the staff of the Anthropology Department of Sydney University, he was released to advise the Council of Chiefs in Fiji on the restructuring of the Fijian Administration and was later responsible for implementing this restructuring.
Dr. Nayacakalou was awarded the O.B.E in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 1971 as a result of that work.
His citation reads:
“The general acceptance and successful implementation of the important reforms of the Fijian Administration are largely the works of Dr Nayacakalou and in this achievement he has made a significant contribution to the future of his people and the Dominion of Fiji.”
Rusiate Nayacakalou's untimely passing in 1972 occurred while he was managing the Native Land Trust Board in Fiji. His life and work illustrate the ways in which anthropological reflexivity can inspire moral critique from its subjects when a critical stance toward tradition is mistaken as an attack on indigenous sovereignty.
As a scholar, administrator, consultant and statesman, he served Fiji and the Pacific.
The Polynesian Society
Polynesian Society
The Polynesian Society is a non-profit organization based at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, dedicated to the scholarly study of the history, ethnography, and mythology of Oceania....
of the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
, New Zealand decided to instigate a Medal named in honour of Dr Nayacakalou, for recognising distinguished scholarly publications on the islands and communities of Polynesia. The Nayacakalou Medal was designed for the Polynesian Society by Robert Ellis, (Retired 1994) Professor of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland and was awarded for the first time in the Centennial Year of the university, in 1986.