Nakorotubu
Nakorotubu is a district in Fiji's Ra Province. It is made up seven sub-districts or Tikina makawa, namely, Kavula, Nakorotubu, Navitilevu, Bure-i-wai, Bure-i-vanua, Mataso, and Nakuailava.
Geography
The first four are coastal districts with extensive inland undulating and rugged terrain, while the rest are all inland. Fishing, sugar cane, coconut, taro, tapioca and a range of local vegetables are the main trading merchandise.
Chiefly Title
The last traditional leader appointed in Namarai village by the Bose Vanua Cokovata Nakorotubu in 1986 was the late Turaga na Gonesau, Ratu Dr Wilisoni Tuiketei Malani OBE, younger brother of the late Ratu Meli Salabogi (3) MBE, both from the chiefly village of Nabukadra in the district of Kavula. Ratu Kuliniyasi Roko Malani (their Father) held the British colonial chief administrator title of Kavula District - 'Buli Kavula' from 1911- 1932. According to Sayes, Sally Annes, Ratu Meli Salabogi (1) (their Great Grandfather) declared Nakorotubu as an independent state in 1860 to protest of Cakobau declaring himself as a self styled Tui Viti during the negotiation with Great Britain for the Deed of Cession.
The cause of the protest must have been inspired from an ancestral feud and dislike which had trickled down from Raivalita, (Ratu Meli Salabogi's (1) Grandfather) regarding an extra marital affair by Niumataiwalu from the Vuanirewa clan (Ratu Cakobau's Great Grandfather) with Raivalita's brother's wife (Nadurucoko 2's wife- Radini Levuka). This resulted in the birth of Banuve (Cakobau's grandfather). Nadurucoko 2 later sent a tabua (whales tooth) to Ono i Lau as a price for Niumataiwalu's head which resulted in his death when he was murdered by a Ono i Lau chief.
Both Raivalita and Nadurucoko 2 were descendants of Nailatikau Nabuinivuaka (1) that came in from Dewala creek in the interior of Nakorotubu in Ra. Nailatikau (1) had murdered the Dewala chief Vakatobai or Vakatawabai in Naceva near Nabukadra village and ran away to Bau upon the advice of his half brother from Kavula (NLC Records, 'Tukutuku ni Yavusa Kubuna', by Ratu Isoa Natuituba, 1918) While in Bau, Nailatikau (1) was bestowed as the 1st Vunivalu of Kubuna by the original Roko Tui Bau-Raivalita because of his roughness and superior confrontation (NLC Records 1918, 'Tukutuku ni Yavusa Kubuna' by Ratu Isoa Natuituba) Roko Tui Bau also named Nailatikau's eldest son after him.
Based on this history, Ratu Meli Salabogi and other Nakorotubu chiefs in 1860 would have been inspired to protest to Great Britain about Cakobau declaring himself as Tui Viti and declared Nakorotubu as an independent state from Fiji.
History of other chiefly lineages within Nakorotubu district differs according to their respective genealogies.
History
In the centre of Nabukadra is the grave of Ratu Mara Kapaiwai, a high chief of Bau Island, who was killed as a result of intra-family rivalries involving his cousin, the then ruler of the kingdom of Bau, Ratu Seru Cakobau in the early 19th century.
The grave remains a prominent landmark in the centre of the village to this day to showcase a prize of victory over Bau as the Nakorotubu warriors came in to snatch the body before Kapaiwai's heart could be eaten by Cakobau. This action avoided Kapaiwai's descendants (such as the late Fiji's statesman and first Fiji Legislative Council Speaker- Ratu Sir Vanayaliyali Sukuna) to be regarded as insignificant in status (bokola).
Other recorded significant victories by the Nakorotubu warriors include the ' Puakaloa or Vuakaloa campaign' in overcoming Kedekede fort in Lakeba, Lau (Reid,A.C 1990) and the conquer of Vanua Levu (Cakaudrove, Bua and Macuata) in the ' Torotorosila campaign' (Sayes, S.A 1984)
Nakorotubu is also well known for its richness in culture and tradition. Some of Fiji's best traditional dances or meke come from its villages. The Fiji Military Forces has adopted a number of these mekes as its own, as well as a number for leading public schools in Fiji such as Queen Victoria School and Ratu Kadavulevu School.
Infrastructure and Development
Public infrastructure is not as well developed compared to other districts in Fiji which does not help with people living their daily lives, but there is an impressive degree of resilience and unity among the local people which is a hallmark of the people of Ra Province that enables them to create the best out of their beautiful natural environment.
The picturesque inland districts are joined to other provinces by the Kings Road, one of the country's main roads, which is struggling to receive sufficient fund to complete the tar-sealing work for the last remaining kilometers.
Development projects are generally carried out on a communal basis with finances coming from government, donors and the people themselves. Examples of projects are village pipe water system, power generation, village toilets and septic tanks, village meeting halls, nursing and health stations, schools and pre-school facilities etc.
Many landowning units are interested in developing their land commercially and whilst there are many options, growing organic produces for export will fetch a healthy return. Given the scarcity of capital, many people will be keen to discuss with prospective investors how they together can develop the land commercially on a joint venture and mutually beneficial basis.
References
- A History of Fiji, By Ronald Albert Derrick, Published 1946, Print. and Stationery Dept. Fiji Islands, Original from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Digitized 23 Aug 2007.
- Journal of The Paths of the Land: Early Political Hierarchies in Cakaudrove, Fiji', Sayes, S.A. 1984 '
- Tovata I & II', A. C. Reid, 1990'
- Ratu Sukuna : soldier, statesman, man of two worlds', Deryck Scarr, 1980'
- Folk-Lore: A Quarterly Review of Myth, Tradition, Institution, and Custom, Page 119 by Sidgwick; By Folklore Society, (Great Britain), Parish Register Society, (Great Britain), 1977'
- NLC Records, 'Tukutuku ni Yavusa Kubuna', Ratu Isoa Natuituba, 1918'