In a historic morning, the people of Narocivo Village on the island of Nayau bore witness to a momentous and sacred occasion, the installation of the fourth Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Kapaiwai Lutunauga Uluilakeba Mara. This solemn rite, steeped in ancestral tradition and Christian grace, marked the restoration of a revered title and the reaffirmation of chiefly leadership in Lau.
- 4.30am – Ratu Tevita Mara arrived on the island of Nayau under the veil of early morning darkness. He was accorded a vakamamaca – a ritual performed for those who have crossed the seas, in this instance Ratu Tevita Mara’s journey from Lakeba. The people of Nayau then performed the vakasobu, a customary rite of welcome.
- 5am – The first lali sounded across the village, signalling the awakening of the land and its people to the dawn of a new era in leadership.
- 6am – Ratu Tevita Mara was escorted by the Vaka ni Nayau from Valelevu to the village church. As he walked the Latefui path (laden with tapa), the Yalewa Matua – elder women of Nayau sat in silence along the route with bowed heads, a deeply symbolic gesture of respect and submission to their news chief.
- Inside the church, the Qase Levu Rev Ili Vunisuwai and Archbishop Peter Loy Chong waited. For the first time in the history of Nayau, the installation of the Tui Nayau was held within a place of Christian worship, rather than the sacred traditional site of Maumi.
- There, in a blending of old and new, the crowning of the iSalasiga was carried out, a duty traditionally held by the Vaka ni Nayau but this time respectfully entrusted to the Qase Levu, symbolising a union of chiefly and spiritual authority.
- Following this, the Vaka ni Nayau tied the masi ni Vanua on Ratu Tevita’s right arm. The Archbishop then performed the blessing with holy water, followed by holy communion, sanctifying the installation with divine grace.
- As per ancestral custom, the newly installed Tui Nayau was then ceremonially lifted upon the Tavata Vakaturaga, carried forth with honour and reverence for the continuation of the traditional installation rites in Narocivo. There, he drank from the Bilo ni Veiliutaki – the cup of Leadership – affirming his sacred duty to lead with wisdom, compassion and courage.
- In the final act of the chiefly rites, Ratu Tevita Mara was taken to the oceanfront of Narocivo, where the Sili Vakaturaga – the chiefly sea bath took place, an ancient and sacred cleansing ritual marking the completion of his installation as Tui Nayau.
- At the conclusion of these ceremonies, the people of Lakeba formally requested the elders of Nayau to now take the Tui Nayau to Tubou, where he will be installed as Sau ni Vanua o Lau and Tui Lau – further elevating his chiefly mandate across the Lau Group.
