The village of Lomanikoro in Rewa was a sea of black and white as close family members, friends and the people of Lau and Rewa came together to bid farewell to the late Lau chief, Ratu Alifereti Finau Mara.
The former politician and lawyer was the eldest son of Fiji’s former prime minister and president, the late Tui Nayau Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and the late Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Lady Lala Mara.
A private thanksgiving service was held at the Stella Maris Convent Chapel in Nasese, Suva to commemorate the life of Ratu Finau before his funeral cortege proceeded for burial at Lomanikoro Village in Rewa.
In a recorded video released yesterday, his daughter, Adi Lewadua Mara, said her father was “very loving”.
“He was very affectionate,” she said.
“He was very, very loving.”
Reflecting on the life of Ratu Finau, his life-long partner, Vitinia Buadromo said they met at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in 1977.
“He was a gentleman,” she recalled.
“He was a good father.”
Ratu Finau’s body was first taken to the chiefly residence of Burenivudi at Lomanikoro before he was laid to rest at the chiefly burial grounds of Narusa.