Four Districts Mend, Renew, Strengthen Ties

Four districts in the Namosi Province converged in Namo­si Village on Friday to mend, renew, and strengthen traditional ties.

It was a momentous occasion as villagers gathered for the first time to witness and partake in a ceremo­nial traditional apology.

The four districts are Namosi, Wainikoroiluva, Veinuqa and Naqarawai.

The traditional apology was pre­sented by the Wainikoroiluva Dis­trict and was accepted by the Na­mosi district.

The traditional apology was long overdue after the installation of Ratu Suliano Matanitobua in 1999.

It is said that the installation of Ratu Suliano did not follow proper traditional protocol. Ratu Suliano is from the Namosi District.

It is understood that his instal­lation was not carried out by the rightful chief makers in the prov­ince. It is also understood that Ratu Suliano was told that he had to con­sult the elders in Namosi Village regarding his installation. He did not do this. Instead, he went to the district of Wainokoroiluva and was installed as Tui Namosi by the dis­trict elders there.

Since then, there have been talks and differences among the rightful chief makers and the chiefly title.

While the media was not allowed entry where the ceremony hap­pened, it is understood the meeting was convened by the iTaukei Af­fairs Board.

The iTaukei Affairs is tasked with the resolution of disputes regard­ing land ownership, fishing rights and customary chiefly positions.

Villager and retired teacher Var­asiko Saunivalu said the media was not allowed because the events that transpired on Friday would likely be politicised.

He said Ratu Suliano gave the or­der that the media was not to be al­lowed or anything to be posted on social media.

Mr Saunivalu said the province was merely trying to protect Ratu Suliano as he was serving time in prison.

Villagers we spoke to said the event marked a new beginning for the people of Nabukebuke.

Ratu Suliano is serving 26 months in prison for falsely stating his place of residence as Namosi Village, Na­mosi, and obtaining $38,378.22 as parliamentary allowances.

Feedback: viliame@fijisun.com.fj