THE solemn 100-night mourning period for the late Turaga na Taukei Nasogolaca, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, came to an end yesterday as members of the chiefly household and the vanua of Lau gathered to observe the sacred vakataraisulu ceremony, a significant custom that marks the lifting of mourning.
At the heart of the ceremony was the widow of the late statesman, Adi Koila Nailatikau, who removed the black mourning attire she had worn over the past 100 nights, symbolising the conclusion of her period of mourning and the family’s transition into the next chapter following Ratu Epeli’s passing.
In accordance with customs, Ratu Epeli’s daughter, Adi Litia Nailatikau, was dressed in layers of traditional mats, cloth and masi, signifying the honour bestowed upon the chiefly household during the vakataraisulu.
She was then escorted to Matawelagi, the residence of the Turaga Vunivalu na Tui Kaba, where she took part in the sacred luva ni sulu ceremony, during which her ceremonial attire was formally removed.
While Adi Litia was being adorned, the vanua o Lau led by Tui Nayau Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara made its way to Nasogolaca, the residence of the late Ratu Epeli, to present traditional offerings to the chiefly family before the commencement of the official proceedings, reaffirming the enduring bonds between the people of Lau and Bau.
Following the luva ni sulu ceremony at Matawelagi, the chiefly party proceeded to Naicobocobo, the residence of the Roko Tui Bau, where Adi Litia Mara Dugdale also participated in the traditional luva i sulu, continuing a custom that has been observed within the chiefly households of Bau for generations.
Speaking on behalf of the Tui Kaba clan, Apenisa Seniloli said the people of Bau had spent the week preparing for the important occasion, which unfolded over three days.
“We had been preparing since Monday for this significant ceremony,” he said.
As part of the traditional observances, the women of Bau gathered on Thursday for the duki, which marked the lifting of the qoliqoli tabu, ending the prohibition that had been placed on the island’s traditional fishing grounds during the mourning period.
The vakataraisulu is among the most significant mourning customs of Bau, symbolising not only the conclusion of the 100 nights of mourning but also the restoration of the chiefly household and the wider vanua to everyday life after a period of reverence and remembrance. The late Ratu Epeli, Fiji’s former president and a chief of Bau, was accorded a State funeral on April 17 before he was laid to rest at the chiefly burial ground on Bau Island.
