User:Vuanicau/Vuanicau

Vuanicau Origin

Vuanicau is the cultural identity of the original Laucala people who originated from Naulumatua of Verata known as Mai Vunibua. The compounding challenges to Verata hegemony by the rise of adversaries internally (Bau and Cakaudrove) and externally (Tonga) in Fiji has been a turning point in the Vuanicau, Laucala and Cakaudrove history as a whole. Certain Vuanicau historical events have been passed down by word of mouth through matriarchal (mother to son/daughter) or patriarchal (father to son/daughter) system of formal rights of passage. Also through oral traditional hand-overs by elders before death. In modern times these stories are challengable if not formally documented without empirical evidences. Documented iTaukei or Fijian historical occurrences have been documented once or twice over the last century by the Native Land Commission (1905-10 and 1929).

During European (Wesleyan missionaries, sailors, beachcombers and traders) arrival, observation and interventions) contacts. While some are considered subjective and could be lopsidedly opinionated, folklore events captured here has been closely compared, reviewed and analysed against written accounts from various sources during a period of over twenty years of research. For example, most historical occurrences recorded about Laucala has been passed through four generations. Concurrent events recorded are obtaied from a wide range of emphatically credible sources such as the Fiji Times, Cyclopedia of Fiji, Native Affair's Commission records, Journals and documented short Library accounts/stories

Common Ancestry - Laucala People

The Vuanicau (pron- Vuwa-nee-thaow; fruit of the Cau) whose people of today reside in the Villages of Togo (original sit of first Tui Laucala- Ro-ko-Taloko who was officially installed by Tui Cakau [1865+-]) and, Dreketi (original sit of Tui Laucala- Ratu Joseva Velo of the Nasovu (Vuanisinu) clan) on Qamea Island. After the death of Roko Taloko, Ratu Joseva Velo, Mai Nasovu succeeded the Tui Laucala title; since then the title has remained within the Nasovu household until the Deed of Cession to this day.

 'Cultural Practice - Sub-ordinate Chiefs - Mai Nasovu and Mai Qaraniyaku, have often shared the appointment and role ofmasi ni vanua' of Laucala, the title of Tui Laucala (sub-ordinate district chief under Tui Cakau) from the common one identity since the arrival of Mai Naulusole with Waqanawanawa on Laucala shores. Apart from the intra-sharing of the Tui Laucala title between Qaraniyaku and Nasovu, one vasu levu of Laucala in Matailevu son of iSokula, (Samusamuvodre, half brother of Ratu Vakamino and Rakuro, sons of Ratu Ratavo son of Rokevu) is believed was sent by iSokula to lead Laucala as a subtle means to remotely alienate him to his mothers clan. Despite the 'vere' for his demise that accompanied his assignment by iSokula, his leadership term was naturally completed (which may have infuriated iSokula hierarchy).

Ever since the dethrone of Verata influenced Laucala hegemony and the sale and giving away of islands off Northern Taviuni, the Vuanicau-Vuanisinu (as well as Vuanivono of Wainikeli  partner tribe) have often challenged or seemingly exhibited ignorant gestures or pranks and 'humorously tribal innuendos' to fuel rivalry' to the iSokula hierarchy or Somosomo people as a whole.

Laucala Forces- Rescues Tui Cakau ( Ratu Raivalita)

The event of the installation of Tui Laucala in Roko Taloko occurred sometime after the demise of Rabalotu. He was the unfortunate Tui Laucala who rallied a fraction of Laucala/Wainikeli to aid Wainiqolo in shutting out the spread of Catholicism in Cakaudrove and hoped for the subsequent installation of a Wesleyan Tui Cakau in Ratu Kuila viz Ratu Raivalita. Rabalotu was executed along the beach West of Naselesele; (Mate -i marks the historical account). The events that followed was the flushing out of Tongans lead by Daunivavana with warriors from Laucala and Wainikeli.

Ratu Kuila and Wainiqolo's invasion of Wairiki - and the eventual close-to capture of ailing Tui Cakau-Ratu Raivalita had many hidden agendas. Many schools of thought claim Tui Cakau-Raivalita was captured by Wainiqolo and taken by Wainiqolo to Laucala Island which does not hold much credibility; as Wainiqoli met his demise in the Wairiki offensive.

The version of the story (that Wainiqolo captures Ratu Raivalita and imprisons the Cakaudrove paramount chief in Laucala) is flawed and deliberately tainted to support the omission of real events which suppresses and shades the valour of Laucala (Vuanicau Amphibious) intervention. Denied strongly by Laucala folklore; it must be known that the Laucala warriors under Ro-ko Taloko blocked Wainiqolo attack and rescues Ratu Raivalita long enough to allow Golenavanua and Rakuro to flank Wainiqolo at Wairiki.

The ongoing struggle for dominance in the iSokula clans fuels Ratu Kuila fighting against his kin-folks to adorn the title at the demise of Ratu Ravalita at a convenient time Goleanavanua and Rakuro with the majority of Cakaudrove's brigade campaigning against Tui Macuata,

Wainiqolo carried the secret agenda of the King Gorge of Tonga to rule the Northern parts of Fiji and eventually conquer the South,

What were the purpose of Rabalotu's blind allegiance to Wainiqolo and Ratu Kuila? It is believed Rabalotu had accepted Christianity with the hosting of Wesleyn missionaries on Laucala and eventual conversion from 'old religion' to Christian-ism in the newly established Nalotu in Laucala. Rabalotu was duped by Wainiqolo and Ratu Kuila's secret political and religious agendas.

On the contrary, Roko Taloko of the Vuanicau finds solace in success. In recognition of the Vuanicau's fine display of loyalty, courage and initiative, Tui Cakau brothers ( Raivalita, Goleanavanua, Rakuro (Daunivavana) - installed Roko-Taloko (a Vuanicau chieftain) as Tui Laucala. commander of the combined Vuanicau amphibious flotilla (consisting of Qaraniya'u, Lagini'oro, Delai-a'mou, Nasau, Qelelevu and Qilo) that blocked Wainiqolo's coastal assault on Tui Cakau-Raivalita's stronghold in Wairiki to allow Daunivavana and Golea's counter-attack to penetrate Wainiqolo's flanks and had him killed by Rakuro's pistol (which earned him the name Daunivavana).

Vuanicau Totem Tree - Caukuro or Nokonoko

Cau pronounced (thorw in Fijian vernacular) (a kind of ironwood - Casuarina Nodiflora) or Nokonoko is the totem tree of the Vuanicau people of Nauluvatu. Folklore points to a common ancestry from Naulumatua- Mai Vuni-Bua (son of Roko- Moutu and older brother of Daunisai in Kabara both heir to Lutunasobasoba) from Verata in Eastern Viti Levu. Daunisai is believed by some school of thought to be the father of Mai Naulusole (Vua-ni-sinu) who settled in Nasovu alongside the Vuanicau in Laucala island and was the third Vunivalu of Laucala after the death of Vua'ta'i of the Qaraniyaku clan.

Vuanicau people have settled around the globe (like the totem wood); however they maintain linkages to their place of origin in (Naqelelevu originally settled by people of Futuna featuring Petero Keletakona (Samu Lawelua), Dreketi (sit of Mai Nasovu) and Togo (sit of Mai Qaraniyaku). Cikobia had also been part of Naqelelevu; For administrative reasons and geographical proximity to services and government nodes, it was conveniently re-assigned under the Macuata confederacy.

Qamea Island location of Vatu-ni-Uca

Qamea Island believed to be attached to Laucala and the larger Northern Eastern Taveuni at Thurston point (Naveitalacagi near Vunivasa Estate) is the location of the the 'vatu-ni-uca ' (stone for rain); a stone threshed by the 'bete' to beckon rain or 'Lagi' for strategic purposes.

A traditional folklore (believed) and proven (more than coincidentally) that mysteriously triggered mist like rain; often a sign that welcomes the arrival or exit and even the congratulation of Vuanicau people during ceremonies. 'Lagi' is interrupted in the Northern Eastern dialects as heavens or rain. The name given to 'Navosailagi' the original settlement of Mai Vunibua could be attributed to the 'bete' or priests high location for beckoning to the heaven for rain. The abundant rainfall though, that causes flooding and landslide, on the other hand can be also interpreted as a spell of the gods due to a misdemeanour of the chief or people; and demands atonement.

Original Inhabitants

Mai Vunibua originally settled (undated) on Navosailagi (he who speaks to the heaven) a fortified village (partially destroyed during the building of Laucala Resort) on Laucala Island. Mai Vunibua had seven sons (Mana'o tea-tea, Mai Sau-ana, Ta-bareva, Le'a, Lagi ni 'Oro, [Tu-i-Domoniwai and Dela-i-'Amou, were warrior clans Nasau and Delai subsequently. Offshoots of Nasau were Lase-'ata and Ca'au-pilipili]). The seven sons are all commonly known as the Vuanicau of Nauluvatu.

Mana'o tea-tea (Wainivava) people spread out to Northern Taveuni with a major settlement on Naselesele/Narova over Matei. Mana'o tea-tea was istalled 'Vunivalu' and led the people until his death.

Ta-bareva (Qilo) remained on Southern Laucala Island and later Yanuca Island. Le'a (Cau-Leve) moved to Northern outer islands. Lagi ni 'Oro (Lomanikoro) moved to Northern outer islands. Tu-i-Domoniwai (Nasau) settled on North and South (Vatu-ni- (sogosogo) Lagi - thrashing stone for rain) of Qamea Island. Dela-i-'Amou settled on Qamea Island.

Vua'ta'i (descendant of Mai Sau-ana (Qara-ni-yau (yaku)[1]) was installed as Vunivalu after Mana'o tea-tea; the people of (Qara-ni-yau (yaku) remained in Laucala Island until the arrival of Waqanawanawa (originally known as Vua-ni-Sinu after returning from a visit to kin clan of Daunisai in Kabara). Waqanawanawa accompanied by Mai-Naulusole and Mai-Nabuadugu of the Vuanisinu clan (Cakaudrove i Wai). Mai-Naulusole of Vuanisinu succeeded the leadership of Laucala on Nauluvatu after the death of the Vunivalu Vuata'i.

The Vuanicau are original inhabitants of Laucala Island in Cakaudrove, but was displaced into Qamea Island when 8th Tui Cakau Ratu Goleyanavanua (a signatory to the Deed of Session) fraudulently sold Laucala island to W. Beddoes and J.B. Macomber on 1 January 1863 to avoid Ma'afu rights to claim it after the launching of the Wairiki invasion by Wainiqolo from Laucala (and supposedly flawed version of the capture of Ratu Raivalita-only to be saved by the Vuanicau warriors of Qaraniyaku, Lomanikoro, Dilikamou and Qelelevu due to their initiative and courage).

Arguably, there are many reasons ( analysed from various versions of documented history) to justify the sale of Laucala and outlying islands conveniently when Cakaudrove was just recovering from the Wairiki war. Could the sale be influences also by the promise made by Tuikilakila to Ma'afu in 1849; still fresh in the minds of Goleanavanua could that fuel Ma'afu's intent to move onto Cakaudrove? (Also included is Matagi which was originally sold to US and later somehow ended up with Frederick George Mitchell); with other islands in Northern Lau, to John Rosa and Hennings. Laucala was originally leased to John Rosa who somehow may have obtained a land claim during the Land Claims Tribunal approval in Naselesele in 1869 (TBC?? -Fiji Times) which was attended only by a single iTaukei (Tui Cakau - Goleanavanua who was a signatory to the Deed of Cession in Levuka in 1874). One half of Laucala was claimed by Beddoes and Macomber. Qamea Is was almost completely sold out, more than half was claimed by Frederick Mitchell (later married a Lovoni Princess - Matila Maramanikaiviwa, enslaved in Laucala Is and worked for John Rosa. Adi Seini Bolavou [daughter of Lini Taloko [ of Qaraniyaku, Tui Laucala houseold in Vidomoni and later Togo village on Qamea Island) befriended Matila and restored old tribal connections 'tauvu' between Lovoni and Laucala people through folklore friends/demi-gods in Batitamata (of Laucala) and Rokavono (of Ovalau).

Land Claims- Sale of Vuanicau Lands

The lands tribunal was how most of the lands in Taviuni (and Fiji) were claimed by the white-men settlers (Frederick George Mitchell, Valentine, Hennings, Petersen, Macomba were present to name a few) sometime after the defeat of the Tongan invasion of Cakaudrove led by Wainiqolo and Fifita two of Ma'afu's lieutenants. The claims were only to to be legitimised when the deed of cession was signed and Fiji became crown colony. Vuanicau Clans of Laucala

The Vuanicau clan consisted of the seven sons of Mai Vunibua (from Bua tree), who settled in Taveuni, Northern Lau, Qamea and Laucala Islands. The present day Wainikeli District (which in the past had been a combined district with Laucala) originates from an off-shoot clan Wainikeli from the Naqeru and Vuanimaba clan's associations through the I Sokula Chief Ratu Rakuro Daunivavavana marriages. It is still vague why Wainikeli does not appear in the pre-1948 map of Taveuni (see Laucala Wikipedia). Wainikeli may have appeared after the redrawing of the Fisheries boundaries by the Colonial government in consultation with the Native Affairs body (TBC). It is still under research and analysis.

Courtesy of the Vuanicau Trust - Historical Research Project

The Vuanicau Trust was established in 2007 to conduct research on the history of the Qaraniyaku, Vuanicau, Laucala Island and the Toga Invasion of Wairiki sit of Tui Cakau. Comments can be sent to the project team via email: l.odo.viko@hotmail.com