GREAT Council of Chiefs chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula has described criticisms of the recent reconciliation efforts with the Fiji Military Forces as ‘unfortunate’.
The reconciliation event, known as the matanigasau, was held at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, Suva, last week. He said the ceremony was part of an iTaukei reconciliation process and he had expected it to be respected by all members of the community.
“Criticising the traditional process is unfortunate,” he said.
” It comes with the mana of the vanua that will not bode well for one to disregard, to break the covenant that binds the deep meaning of the reconciliation.
“We cannot go on using slogans such as inclusivity in diversity without walking the walk by demonstrating cultural sensitivity towards another culture.
“You will never see the Bose Levu Vakaturaga criticise another culture as you see on social media today.
“To do so speaks volumes of one’s sense of good judgement.”
For the iTaukei community who may have criticised, Ratu Viliame reiterated that the process was the commander’s gesture of seeking the chiefs’ forgiveness for the way the RFMF behaved in 2007 when the GCC was removed.
He said it was the commander at that time and his seniors officers who showed a gross mark of disrespect and lack of good judgement to disestablish the Bose Levu Vakaturaga.
“For those non-iTaukei to criticise our culture and traditions while living among us in Fiji is unfortunate to say the least.
“The members of the council have continued to show great humility in their deliberations since February 2024, in their concerns about making decisions and recommendations to the Government with other races in mind.
“On the question of the matanigasau process for other communities, there is nothing stopping anyone from doing so, but it has to come from both sides for the process to be meaningful.
“It is not a mere meeting of people saying sorry to each other, but it is a process of ritual culture involving true reconciliation.”
The presentation of the matanigasau by the Commander of the RFMF, Ratu Viliame said, was an atonement as he presented a tabua, a show of submission to one high chief.
