Narocivo Village will be a sea of black and white today as hundreds gather for the long-awaited installation of the Tui Nayau, Roko Tevita Ului Mara.
Vaka ni Nayau Akuila Qalo, who will conduct the installation, said the traditional dress code had always been black and white.
“In the church, only myself, Tui Liku, Tui Devo and Tui Naro will sit in the front with Tui Nayau during the church service,” he said.
“At the village ground after the church service, only myself and the Tui Nayau will sit at Alofi (chiefly bure) and I will call other chiefs to come forward but they will sit on the ground.”
He confirmed the Methodist Church president will also attend.
“A lot has changed over the years in terms of traditional protocol but we have to respect the wishes of our chiefs as they are also committed to work and business.”
He said Roko Ului Mara requested the installation begin with a church service.
“After his installation tomorrow (today) he will return to Lakeba as he hasother commitments.
“So the traditional four nights or bogiva as we say in iTaukei language will not happen and installation at Maumi, our traditional site at the mountains, will also not happen.”
“But his father the late Ratu Mara was installed at Maumi but only asked for one night and not four nights because he was Chief Minister in the Government then.”
