Silence fell across Narocivo Village at first light yesterday as the people of Maumi prepared to witness the installation of Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara as the Tui Nayau.
The long-anticipated ceremony began well before sunrise, with women of the village respectfully preparing the chiefly path from Valelevu and readying the sacred attire and iSalasiga.
The men of the Maumi clan stepped away from their daily work to uphold their ancestral duty in facilitating the historic event.
Even the youth played their part — clearing grounds, assisting elders, and readying the space for the veivakaturagataki (chiefly rites).
As the sun broke over the horizon, the chiefly party arrived from the island of Lakeba, met with traditional protocol before proceeding in solemn formation to the church.
Women lined both sides of the village path, heads bowed in reverence as the procession passed in silence — a powerful show of respect for the chiefly line and the sacredness of the moment.
Inside the church, full traditional protocols were observed — including the tying of the masi and the drinking of the bilo ni veiliutaki (cup of leadership).
When the installation rituals concluded, the warriors raised their voices at the village boundary to declare the land open once more, signalling the end of sacred protocol and the beginning of a new chiefly era.
