Tui Vuda to be laid to rest today in final chiefly farewell

The Momo levu na Tui Vuda, Ratu Eparama Kitione Tavaiqia, will be laid to rest today at the chiefly burial grounds, Na Burenivalu, at Viseisei Village in Vuda.

His burial will mark the final stage of traditional funeral protocols for the chief, remembered by villagers as a humble leader who remained close to his people.

Following the burial, the Vanua o Vuda is expected to formally declare the next Tui Vuda.

The traditional installation ceremony, known as the Veivakagunuvi, will be held on Thursday.

Before Ratu Eparama’s final journey, yesterday members of the Yavusa Tububere carried out their traditional responsibility of dressing the late chief and preparing his body before it was placed in the coffin at the Aspen Medical-managed Lautoka Hospital mortuary.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel later transported his body from the mortuary to the chiefly grounds at Viseisei.

His body was placed at the chiefly house, the Vunisei, where traditional protocols will be observed before the funeral service today.

Villagers described Ratu Eparama as a leader who remained grounded despite holding Vuda’s highest traditional title.

“We call him a Turaga Sau. Whatever he says, it happens,” one villager said.

Another villager remembered him as a humble and down-to-earth chief who regularly spent time with his people.

“He is different from all the Tui Vuda. He comes down to our level.

“He visits our houses, drinks grog, talanoa and shares jokes and laughter with us,” the villager said.

“Before he was elected as Tui Vuda, we used to see him early in the morning with his knife, coming back from the farm.

“He is a loving and humble leader.”

Meanwhile, Turaga na Taukei Nakelo of the Sauturaga, or kingmakers’ clan, Ratu Josaia Natakele, said it was customary for the Sauturaga to meet a day before the burial to choose the next Tui Vuda.

He said the new chief would be formally declared after Ratu Eparama’s burial today.