MANY customary rituals are often associated with the installation of a paramount chief in Fiji as it signifies an important aspect of chiefly leadership within an iTaukei community.
Finding the right candidate to take over any chiefly role is a fundamental process where finding a suitable chief takes months or even years to do.
A perfect example of this was the installation of the Tui Vuna, Ratu Mikaele Vosota in 1986.
It took two years for the kingmakers or Sauturaga clan of Vuna to install the paramount chief simply because elders had to find a suitable person who can lead the vanua after the late Tui Vuna, Ratu Ilaitia Makaba had died in 1983.
Ratu Mikaele 64, was from the chiefly mataqali of Vusaratu in Vuna.
The installation ceremony was conducted by the Sauturaga clan led by Ratu Paula Bukadrokadroka from Vuna and was reported by this newspaper and published on Friday April 4, 1986.
More than 2000 people were at Vuna Village in Southern Taveuni to witness the installation of Ratu Mikaele as their paramount chief.
A report from Taveuni described the ceremony as impressive and highly emotional as the people of Vuna pledged their support and loyalty to their chief.
The ceremonies were followed by four days and nights of feasting and special ceremonies in connection with the installation.
The leader of the kingmakers Ratu Paula, told the The Fiji Times that after screening the candidates, they decided on Ratu Mikaele.
‘The screening process took us two years and judging from the response of the people, the choice has been accepted,” Ratu Paula said.
Apart from the Tui Cakau, Ratu Ratavo Lalabalavu, all the other high chiefs of Taveuni were at the ceremonies. Ratu Bukadrokadroka said the Tui Cakau was unable to attend because he was sick, but he had sent his wife and children to deputise for him.
The Tui Vuna controls the Southern part of Taveuni and has close blood ties with the Tui Cakau.
