Apolosi Nawai’s Rotuman Descendants Return to Roots Through ‘Carasala’

Rotuman descendants of Ratu Apo­losi Ralawaki Nawai have performed Carasala a traditional protocol of re­turning to their original roots to the Momo Na Tui Nadi, Ratu Vuniyani Navuniuci.

The traditional gathering was held at Nav­atulevu Village in Narewa, Nadi where Ratu Apolosi’s descendants also commemorated the life that their forefather once lived.

The brief history of Nawai, reveals he was a commoner who later claimed to be a chief of Fiji.

He was most famous in his time and some would say, the most notorious and also de­scribed as the ‘Rasputin of the Pacific’, who was three times banished to the island of Rotuma, in 1917, 1930 and 1940, for his semi-religious sermons, promising a new era of prosperity for the Fijians, with himself as their Messiah.

During his second exile to the island of Rotuman, he was involved with a Rotu­man woman and bore two sons. The third to the fifth generation of Ratu Apolosi have planned to reconnect to their forefather’s place of origin at Navatulevu Village, Nadi.

Grandson of Ratu Apolosi Nawai, Josevata Driu Tanoa, a first settler of Navatulevu Village in Nadi.

Ratu Apolosis great grandson, Pastor Apete Tanoa said their yavutu (place of origin) had now been completed with the return of the descendants of their Tai (fore­father).

“It was a significant day for us today be­cause we tethered link to our Rotuman rela­tions who are descendants of our legendary Tai,” Pastor Tanoa said. “The traditional protocol of returning to their original roots has impacted other descendants of Tai around Fiji, who all gathered here today.

“The arrival of our Rotuman brothers to­day also commemorates the life of our Tai. He has lived a significant life that influ­enced the nation, the economy and even the spirituality of the iTaukei.

“There are events that he prophesied that have been fulfilled today.”

The Rotuman eldest grandson of Ratu Apolosi, Fereti Fonamanu Nawai, led his grandfather’s descendants to their original place in Navatulevu.

And a grandson of Apolosi, 80-year-old, Josevata Driu Tanoa, a first settler of Nav­atulevu Village said the place of origin had now been completed.

Mr Tanoa acknowledged the Momo Na Tui Nadi that through his leadership, there was traditional mending of relationships that brought the Yavusa (tribe) together.

Edited by Percy Kean.

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