A century later, Kadavu's Yale district welcomes its chief

It was a proud and emotional day for the people of Rakiraki Village, Yale in Kadavu, as they gathered to witness the installation of Ratu Navitalai Litidamu as Tui Yale, the first in more than a century.

This marked the first time in over 100 years that the traditional ceremony had taken place, with the last installation held in 1919. For many villagers, it was the first time in their lives to witness such a significant cultural event.

The ceremony began with traditional Fijian protocols, including a formal welcome and sevusevu (traditional kava ceremony). In his official address, Ratu Navitalai expressed surprise at being chosen to lead.

“I didn’t expect to be chosen to lead the people of Yale,” he said. “This is a historical moment for all of us. Many people here have never seen a Tui Yale installed before.”

He added that the day marked a new beginning for the people of Yale.

“After 106 years, we are finally seeing the return of our traditional leadership. This is a new dawn for our people,” Ratu Navitalai said.

He thanked the people and promised to serve them with honesty and respect.

Ratu Navitalai is a retired public health professional where he served as a health inspector with the Ministry of Health, a senior lecturer in public health and Senior Consultant with the World Health Organization (WHO).

He has a Master of Science in Environmental Health from the University of Western Sydney, Australia, Bachelor of Applied Science and Diploma in Public Health from the Fiji School of Medicine.

The women of Yale are part of the yarayara ceremony, as they escort Tui Yale before his installation.

Photo: Sosiveta Korobiau

Matanitikina o Yale Waisea Ravono.

Photo: Sosiveta Korobiau

Leadership restored

For the people of this close-knit district, the absence of a traditional leader wasn’t just a vacancy, it was a void.

“We were lost because we needed someone to lead us,” said Waisea Ravono, the Matanitikina o Yale.

“And our prayers were answered.”

Mr Ravono’s words echoed across the ceremonial grounds, capturing the collective feeling of a vanua that had drifted without the guidance of its traditional head.

“It’s been years without someone to unify us, to speak for us as a people,” he added. “Today is not just about tradition, it’s about restoration. This title reawakens the spirit of Yale.”

The chiefly title of Tui Yale had remained vacant for decades, leaving the community grappling with leadership gaps and the slow erosion of traditional protocols. The installation of Ratu Navitalai marked a return to order—one rooted in cultural pride and ancestral authority.

“This is the day we’ve been waiting for,” said Adi Miriama Vuki, a matriarch from one of the coastal villages.

The significance of the event extended far beyond rituals and formalities. Many saw the installation as a critical step toward healing rifts, rebuilding trust, and revitalising the vanua.

“This is more than a title,” Mr Ravono said. “It creates a pathway for restoring relationships, order, and our cultural backbone.”

Among the gathered crowd were elders who remembered the strength of traditional leadership in their youth and younger generations who had never witnessed such a ceremony before.
The village came alive with song, dance, and the rhythmic sounds of the lali (traditional drumbeats) as the community followed every step of the sacred ceremony.

Salaseini Donu.

Photo: Sosiveta Korobiau

Reflection

At 72 years old, Salaseini Donu says she feels blessed to witness a moment she never imagined would be part of her life, the historic installation ceremony of Ratu Navitalai.
“I’m just so glad to be alive to see this day,” Ms Donu said. “To witness such a historic event is something I never dreamt I’d be part of.”

Originally from Rakiraki Village, Ms Donu left her home as a young girl to pursue her education.

Decades later, she returned not only to her roots but to a moment of cultural significance that brought together communities from across the province.

“I left Yale so many years ago for school, and life took me far from here,” she reflected.

“But I never forgot where I came from. Being here today, to see our chief installed, it’s like coming full circle.”

For Ms Donu, the ceremony was not just about protocol; it was deeply personal.
“This isn’t just history in the making. It’s a legacy for the next generation, and I’m proud to say I was here to see it.”