SILENCE presided over the solemn atmosphere at the chiefly lawn of Lomanikoro, Rewa, as the remains of Ro Veidovi was carried through the village ground.
Light showers of rain accompanied the chiefly Rokotunimatadreketi clan, Nacokoni in Burebasaga Village, Rewa, that carried the remains, wrapped in thick tapa which was handed over to the Marama Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa.
After 186 years, the chiefly family of Rewa finally received the remains of their ancestor who is believed to have killed an American ship captain and 10 crew members in 1834, which led to his arrest in 1840 and was taken to America as a prisoner.
Ro Teimumu described yesterday’s event as a closure of a historic chapter as Ro Veidovi, whose mother hails from Tavuki in Kadavu, has been brought back home.
“Today (yesterday) was a complete cycle for Ro Veidovi as he was finally laid to rest with his family at our chiefly burial grounds of Narusa,” she said.
“186 years later, he can now rest peacefully. The mataqali o Vale Levu awaited the entourage from Nacokoni led by the Rokotunimatadreketi and accompanied by Fiji’s Ambassador to the United States as they bring Ro Veidovi’s remains.
“Ro Veidovi, born in 1802 was one of the Roko Tui Dreketi’s son, who was fierce in warfare.”
American Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, John Degory said the embassy was first approached in 1993 for the repatriation of Ro Veidovi’s remains back home.
“One of the most respectful thing is to bring back home the dead and I am glad to be part of the truly solemn occasion which also signifies the strong partnership between Fiji and the USA,” he said.
“We can build on this partnership and may his memory be a blessing.”
Members of the yavusa Burenivalu, which Ro Veidovi belongs to, traditionally guard the chiefly grave-site or sautabu of Narusa.
Yavusa Burenivalu’s Peniasi Qoloutawa said it was their duty to perform the traditional rites for Ro Veidovi, who is believed to have had 55 wives.
Speaking in the iTaukei language, Mr Qoloutawa said their fathers didn’t speak a lot about Ro Veidovi.
“We know that he was our chief in the 1800s but the story of his life we don’t clearly know,” he said.
“And we know that his older brother was the Roko Tui Dreketi then and he had committed a crime and was taken as a prisoner by the American people.”
