Kabu Kei Conua

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Official Announcement: Vanua O Betoraurau In State of Mourning

The following statement has been issued by the Traditional Herald of the Vanua o Betoraurau.

"It is with greatest sorrow that we announce the passing of our Paramount Chief, Head of the Matanitu Vanua o Betoraurau, Na Momo Levu na Tui Sabeto, Ratu Tevita Susu Mataitoga.

The King, 45, was known to have been suffering from a worsening health condition, retired in his unusual health and unfortunately succumbed to the illness at 10pm on Saturday, 20 August 2022 at Nadi Hospital.

The Vanua met immediately as soon as the Taukei Vunavau was informed of the news, to discuss preparations for the funeral rites and relaying of the news to the Chiefly households of the Yasana Va-Momo o Ba. This has been completed this morning.

At 1200 UTC+12 today Thursday 25 August, movement within the village of Koroiaca will be restricted.

The Momo Levu na Tui Sabeto will lie in state in Erenavula on Wednesday, 31 August 2022 until the funeral on Thursday 1 September followed by the burial at the Sau Tabu ni Vanua Va-Momo Levu o Betoraurau at the village of Koroiaca, Sabeto.

Our Paramount Chief overlords the seven (7) Yavusa (tribe), these being, Conua (principal Yavusa), Leiwavuwavu, Nasara, Waruta, Lewe i Drasa, Ne, Lewe i Koro.

Having fulfilled the traditional protocols, the Vanua o Betoraurau has now been declared in a state of mourning.

The Vura begins tonight for the Yavusa e Vitu (7 tribes) while Chiefly delegations from the Yasana, and delegations from various religious, business and other societies wishing to pay respects to the Momo Levu Na Tui Sabeto will be hosted from from Monday, 29 August 2022 at Koroiaca Village.

We offer our profound sympathies to the Radini Vanua and the Royal family."

ENDS

Authorised by Kiniviliame Mokotanavanua
Taukei Vunavau/Head of the Traditional Heralds
Koroiaca, Sabeto

25 August 2022.

A pleasure to join the management and stakeholders of Fiji Airports in welcoming the Fiji Airways Adelaide - Nadi flight as it resumes since the closure of our borders. Cola vina, bula and welcome to Fiji 🙌🏾. For those on the first time, welcome to Fiji, for those returning, welcome back home ✊🏿🌴.

Photos: Fiji Airports Media.

Sa moce riki, Sawavu.

PASSING OF THE MOMO NA TAUKEI YAVUTU – TURAGA NI YAVUSA O NALEIWAVUWAVU

As of this evening, all relevant standing traditional protocols of the Yavusa o Leiwavuwavu have been fulfilled to convey the news of the sad passing of one of the traditional leaders of the Matanitu Vanua o Betoraurau.

We regret to formally announce the sad passing of the Momo na Taukei Yavutu, Turaga ni Yavusa o Naleiwavuwavu and Turaga ni Mataqali o Navakalolo, Ratu Sivaniolo Varo on the early hours of Sunday, 23 January 2022 at the age of eighty-one (81).

Ratu Sivaniolo Varo was born on Wednesday 14 May, 1941, being the third eldest child of Ratu Samuela Ramatau and Adi Varanisese Naiobasali of the Mataqali o Buasali, Tokatoka o Vunavau, Mataqali o Buasali of the principal Yavusa o Conua.

Being the third child of Ratu Samuela Ramatau and Adi Varanisese Naiobasali, Ratu Sivaniolo had seven other siblings – they include Ratu Kalaveti Masi (deceased), Adi Vinau Naulago (deceased), Ratu Mosese Tuisa (deceased), Ratu Leoni Nayavu (deceased), Ratu Kolinio Naulago, Ratu Eminoni Nakelia and Adi Elesi Naso (deceased).

The surviving siblings are Ratu Kolinio Naulago and Ratu Eminoni Nakelia.

Ratu Sivaniolo's late younger sister, Adi Elesi Naso is the mother of the reigning Na Momo Levu na Tui Sabeto.

In his heydays, Ratu Sivaniolo then married the late Vaulina Dauvere of the i Tokatoka o Vunamadrakwa, Mataqali Werelevu, Yavusa o Digilo of Dratabu Village of which they had six (6) children which includes Samuela Naquto, Kavekini Rasaqa (deceased), Radini Talatala Amele Koronawa, Leoni Nayavu, Timoci Waqaituakana and the youngest being, Merewalesi Tuvou.

Before Ratu Sivaniolo departed this earthly abode, he had a total of nine (9) grandchildren.

Unbeknown to him, Ratu Sivaniolo’s era had arrived to take over the yoke and lead his Yavusa or tribe in December 2007 with a total of three Mataqali’s (sub-clan) namely Navakalolo, Talenaika and Tabuderogo under his guardianship as Turaga ni Yavusa o Naleiwavuwavu, at times referred to as “Taukei Yavutu” or “Taukei Narokorokoyawa”.

The Yavusa o Naleiwavuwavu is one of the seven (7) Yavusa or tribe that come under the Matanitu Vanua or Kingdom of Betoraurau with its Paramount Chief or King, Na Momo Levu na Tui Sabeto as its Over-Lord.

Upon the arrival of his era, it was a direful transition however, it did not deter him from carrying out the role he had already been anointed for as he was strengthened with the vision that one day, he would lead his tribe.

Since then, Ratu Sivaniolo carried on the yoke for fifteen (15) years and twenty-three (23) days and upon his passing, he was the longest and oldest serving Turaga ni Yavusa o Naleiwavuwavu.

In his tenure of open-minded and wise leadership – one can say that it was a great fifteen years! He witnessed members of his Yavusa starting their businesses, personal and educational development and most importantly, positive changes to his Yavusa.

For those that have had the honour to meet, converse or share a meal with him – he was considered humble, broad-minded and never used his traditional title to demand respect – Ratu Sivaniolo earned it with no effort. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

The late Ratu Sivaniolo Varo will not only be missed by those who grew up with him, but by the young and old, within the Vanua o Sabeto and those from outside that also had the priviledge to meet the late Turaga ni Yavusa.

At this time, the late Taukei Yavutu now sits on the peak of Uluineivua looking down on his former abode before he is finally laid to rest on Friday, 28th of January 2022 at the chiefly village of Sabeto.

Families, relatives and friends that are unable to join the homegoing celebration for the late Taukei Yavutu at Sabeto Village can do so by joining in the livestream coverage by JR Photography through their page.

The link to JR Photography’s page can be accessed here:- facebook.com/JRPhotographyFiji .

Sa kabukabu riki koto o Uluneivua, ei ciri riki na vesi, qei moce koto ro Sawavu, na Momo na Teiteimata ni Yavusa balavu o Naleiwavuwavu.

(The following message has been authorised by the Traditional Spokesman of the Turaga ni Yavusa o Naleiwavuwavu)

Nai tukutuku raraba i vakeda.

NAI TUKUTUKU RARABA

Sa tau koto na lewa ni Tabana ni Vuli ni ra sa na sogo koto na vi-koronivuli kece i na leda vanua e roaroa i na vuku ni rua na 'cava' se na cagilaba eri sa toso volekatidatou koto me.

Nai tukutuku ni draki esa vabiri koto i vuara na wekaida erei no i na yatu-Mamanuca, yatu-Yasawa, Vanua Levu qanira na viyanuyanu erei no volekatia na vivanua sa lai cavuti koto ya tavu.

Na gatere meda na vavarau qa qarauni na cola, kua na vasavukuvuku, qania meda vatakucia na i vasala se na varo ni cagi mei vuara na Tabana ni Viqwaravi ni Matanitu.

Vina du riki.