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Scoop
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
A Ceremony Of Silence: Echoes Of Mana And A Chief's Ascent
Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist In Fiji, a new chief from an eminent dynasty emerged before the crowds, shrouded in silence, accompanied only by the sound of birds. Ratu Tevita Mara - the son of Fiji's first prime minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, was elevated to chiefly status this week in two grand ceremonies that took place on Nayau and Lakeba Islands in Lau. The crowd, estimated at several thousand, remained silent and still on Thursday as the newly crowned chief walked solemnly out of the church in Tubou. He was accompanied by an entourage of warriors, religious figures and dignitaries. A tall, dignified, statuesque figure, commonly known as Roko Ului, he easily towered over the people sitting on the sacred ground. He too was quiet, head down, which seemed fitting for a high-born chief who is described and humble and private. What was notable, was the total silence that pervaded. There was only the birds and the breeze and the movement in the environment. Protocol had dictated that the onlookers maintain complete silence and keep still for up to three hours. Even the warriors guarding Roko Ului stood still, a sign of dedication and commitment, despite the heat and mugginess that day. People in the villages on both islands and around the Lau group fell simultaneously silent. His story is like something out of a Hollywood movie. He walks in the shadow of his father, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, deemed to be the father of Fiji. Roko Ului, a former military general, fled to Tonga in 2011 and went into exile after the then Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama wanted him tried for treason. The royal family sheltered him in their Nuku'alofa palace, where he worked as an advisor to King Tupou VI. The Bainimarama administration banned him from re-entering Fiji - something that only became possible after Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's government came into power in December 2022. He returned to Fiji in 2023 and now there are predictions that he could well enter politics and become prime minister in the future. A Fijian academic based in Aotearoa says the country is celebrating its new chief, because leadership is innate to iTaukei culture. Victoria University's Asia-Pacific programme manager Maciu Raivoka told Paciic Waves says silence is a vital and symbolic part of Fijian culture. Silence is engrained in the Fijian psyche and expected and observed on during a variety of ceremonial occasions. It was not just a mark of respect for Roko Ului, it allowed him to dominate the space. Psychologically, from a cultural point of view, it created the right ambience to magnify his mana or status. It enabled people to be alone in a communal setting, to meditate or engage spiritually in the moment. Raivoka says the occasion was a chance for iTaukei to celebrate the beauty of culture as a way of life, and as a system of governance, where people can demonstrate the best of themselves. It was about "spotlighting" the role culture, of time-tested wisdom, that can be applied today. Culture is something Fijians feel deeply inside, a spiritual connection, because that's what they know best. The Fijian people subscribe to a communal world where one person represents everybody. The bigger context is that Fiji as a country is looking at culture as a way of enhancing its leadership capability. Culture is a way of life for iTaukei, it is not "history", it is being practised today. Raivoka said people in the developed world do not appreciate that the cultural and modern world compliment each other and they need to be enhanced equally. At Tuesday's ceremony, Roko Ului took off his ornate ceremonial attire and had a fully-clothed "dip" in a special salt water pit, dug in the sand. He emerged in a bright red sulu (sarong) and white long-sleeved shirt. Raivoka explained that the practice parallels christian baptism and is a form of spiritual cleansing. The whole process of being "installed" as a chief is about making connections with ancestors and allowing people in the village to play their specific role. Chiefs are no longer considered individuals, they become a personification of their people, the vanua (land) the environment, and connections to other tribes and countries. Sir Kamisese formed the Alliance Party in the early 1960s. It was Fiji's first ruling party from 1966 to 1987, when the party was beaten by a Labour-led coalition led by Timoci Bavadra. After less than a month in office, the new government was deposed in a military coup led by the then Lieutenant Colonel Rabuka.
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 24 June
Tonga - dengue Six new cases of dengue fever have been reported in Tonga, bringing the total to 879 as of Monday. More than half of the confirmed cases are on the main island, Tongatapu. One person is in Niueiki Hospital in stable condition. A dengue outbreak was declared in Tonga in February, with three dengue-related deaths recorded. Tonga - travel proposals Tonga's Prime Minister 'Aisake Eke says he is "seriously alarmed" that the nation is reportedly included in the United States' proposed expansion of travel restrictions. Dr Eke told Matangi Tonga the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with the US Consulate in Nuku'alofa to formulate a response to the US government. Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are said to be included in an extended list of 36 extra countries that the Trump administration is considering banning on entering the US, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters. West Papua - lobster Biologists have discovered seven news species of freshwater lobster in Indonesia's West Papua region. Their findings are the result of biodiversity research by Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in collaboration with independent researchers from Germany. Dr Rury Eprilurahman, one of the university's research authors, said the new species were discovered in remote freshwater ecosystems with minimal human activity. He said researchers looked at body shape and colour to confirm these were truly distinct species. Fiji - orphanages A Fijian cabinet minister says two-thirds of the children in Fiji's orphanages are from Indo-Fijian communities. The Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran told a radio show in Suva that this is a serious issue that continues to be ignored. Kiran told Radio Sargam that homelessness, drug use, violence and HIV in the indo-Fijian community is under-reported, compared to iTaukei or indigenous children.
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Fijian chiefs unanimously reject 2013 Constitution
The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), or Bose Levu Vakaturaga, a traditional body made up of idigenous Fijian (iTaukei) chiefs, convened for a two-day at their new complex in the capital Suva this week. Photo: Fiji Government Fijian chiefs have unanimously agreed the country's 2013 Constitution, which gives every citizen equal status and national identity, is not fit for purpose. The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), or Bose Levu Vakaturaga, a traditional body made up of indigenous Fijian (iTaukei) chiefs, convened for a two-day meeting at their new complex in the capital Suva this week. The GCC, with representatives from Fiji's 14 provinces, is regarded as the peak iTaukei institution mandated to look after and protect the interests of the indigenous population. It was banned for almost two decades by the former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who told the chiefs to "drink home brew under the mango tree". However, it was re-established in 2023 by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's coalition government. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during the parliamentary debate to amend the 2013 Constitution earlier this month. Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji Following the two-day meeting this week, GCC chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula told local reporters that the chiefs are unanimous in their decision to get rid of the 2013 Constitution, stating that the document is holding back progress for indigenous Fijians. "We've had enough with it. We want this Constitution gone," he told reporters. "It's restricting a lot of work for the iTaukei. With every corner we turn to try and improve the people's lives, there is this constitution on the way," he said. Rabuka tried but failed to get the parliamentary support he needed to go ahead with his plan to change the Constitution. One of his deputies, Manoa Kamikamica, told Pacific Waves in March that the document legalised dictatorship . The Fijian Cabinet is now seeking the Supreme Court's opinion on the interpretation and application of the constitutional amendment provisions under sections 159 and 160 of the Constitution. The case is listed for a directions hearing on Friday, 23 May. Ratu Viliame, left, with the Minister for iTaukei Affairs. (file imgage) Photo: Facebook / iTaukei Affairs Board Ratu Viliame said the GCC will await the outcome of the Supreme Court hearing and, depending on that, will consider its next steps. "The GCC has a lot of power. Gives us another year and have to listen to what the GCC says."
RNZ News
21-04-2025
- RNZ News
Fiji police investigating attack on fishing vessel docked in Suva
The incident occurred while the vessel was at the floating dock in Suva on Friday, 18 April 2025. Photo: TikTok / @keekee4352 Fiji police are investigating an incident involving a group of men who boarded an Asian fishing vessel and attacked the crew while it was docked at the capital, Suva, on Friday. This comes after a social media user shared a video clip of the incident on Sunday, which showed at least five men - their faces covered and speaking in the iTaukei language - attacking the crew from the deck carrying spades, brooms, frozen fish, and a fire extinguisher. The crew can be seen trying to defend themselves with what appear to be fishing rods. However, one of the attackers is seen using the fire extinguisher, which leads to the crew retreating and the attackers making their way to the bridge for an all-out altercation. Police said that several people had been questioned after a report was filed. "The vessel was docked for scheduled repair when a group of men boarded the boat and attacked the crew, allegedly with the intention of stealing fish," the police said in a statement on Sunday. "Investigators are following a number of leads and have questioned a number of people in relation to the aggravated burglary case."
