The man who would one day become the Tui Vuda was brought back to the chiefly village of Viseisei on Wednesday after a Fijian traditional ceremony was performed by the people of Vuda.
The “na i kwali” was performed by the vanua o Vuda to the yavusa Waruta of Natalau, Sabeto to take back retired school principal Meli Tora to the chiefly village of Viseisei.
Mr Tora was raised in his mother’s village in Natalau, Sabeto, where he has since lived with his wife and four children in the care of his late uncle and former politician Apisai Tora.
Taukei Sawaieke Iliesa Cebaivalu Namuaira said the ceremony was important for the vanua o Vuda because Mr Tora belonged to the chiefl y household of Tui Vuda.
“His late father being Ratu Ilaijia Vuivuda Tavaiqia, was among the 12 siblings of the current Tui Vuda Ratu Eparama Kitione Tavaiqia,” he said.
“He is the next in line to be Tui Vuda so we want to have enough people in stock so that the kingmakers can make a decision and pick the right person.”
Mr Namuaira said it was a “solemn occasion” when the vanua o Vuda thanked the vanua o Betoraurau.
“We are indebted to them for nurturing master Meli Tora to the person that he is today.”
This was the third time the vanua o Vuda had performed the “na i kwali” ceremony.
“First was in 1981 when we brought in Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu from Taveuni to Viseisei and the second one was the current Tui Vuda who was brought from Waya to Viseisei.”
