Tui Lau
| Nobility ofFiji |
|---|
| Titles |
| Institutions |
| Confederacies |
| RotumanTraditional Leadership |
Tui Lauis aFi gianchiefly title of recent history which was created by the Vuanirewa Clan of Lakeba with the endorsement of Tui Nayau during the time ofMa'afuand his conquests.
A Brief History
[edit]Ma'afuwas disclaimed as a Tongan Prince by his cousinKing George Tupou I.Since theVuanirewaClan of the Lau Islands consideredMa'afuas their own, they therefore bestowed him as the title as the first Tui Lau.
The title was later revived in 1938 by the Vuanirewa Clan and bestowed toRatu Sir Lala Sukunaupon the approval and support of theTui Nayau,Ratu Tevita Uluiilakeba.
Ratu Kamisese Mara,the son of RatuTevita Uluilakeba,was the last to be bestowed the title of Tui Lau. In May 2023 the position was offered to his son,Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara.[1]
The Installation
[edit]The title of Tui Lau is decided by the Tui Nayau.[2][3][4]
Recent history
[edit]There has been no bestowal since Ratu SirKamisese Mara's time. The current candidates for the title include his only living son, RatuTevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara.
Tui Lau Chart of title holders
[edit]| Order | Tui Lau | Reigned | Lived |
| 1. | Enele Ma'afu | 1869–1881 | 1816–1881 |
| 2. | Ratu Sir Josefa Lalabalavu Vana'ali'ali Sukuna | 1938–1958 | 1888–1958 |
| 3. | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1963–2004 | 1920–2004 |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^"Ratu Tevita Mara to confirm if he will be next Tui Lau".RNZ. 16 March 2023.Retrieved16 March2023.
- ^Mara, Ratu Sir Kamisese: "The Pacific Way: A Memoir", Page 91. University of Hawaii Press, 1997
- ^Ai Vola Ni Kawabula Yavusa Tonga, Native Lands records.
- ^Alexander Phillip Lessin, Village of the Conquerors