This article does not cite any sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "Roko Malani" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Roko Malani[1] (1754–1833) was a grandson of a Verata high chief Niumataiwalu translated as 'I came first at Walu beach' after his grandfather-Tuivanuakula or Tunaosara (also known as Kubunavanua)[2] for winning the leadership race competition among Rokomautu's seventeen (17) grandchildren at Walu beach, Verata. Roko Malani was the eldest son of Rasolo, the first Tui Nayau (Paramount Chief of Fiji's Lau Islands), and of Laufitu, a high-ranking lady of Totoya and Tongan descent. He succeeded to the title Roko Sau, after engineering a successful coup d'état and slaying his uncle, Matawalu, the fourth Roko Sau, in battle. This kin slaying was the result of the latter's dislike and plan to expel Tongan settlers from Lakeba. As Roko Malani was half Tongan, his hand was forced to remove his uncle from power and eliminate his followers as an effective force on the island. Roko Malani was later installed as Tui Nayau, and thus become the second holder of this title.

He is described by one of the early missionaries to Lakeba as being "a good looking muscular man", and he was responsible for establishing the kingdom of the Tui Nayau in the form which it was known to the first European observers. One of his earliest campaigns resulting in the extension of his domain was to lead a battle against Cicia, then an independent island, in retribution for the earlier death of his cousin Nayacatabu. He ambushed the Tui Cicia, or overlord of Cicia, and his forces on Nayau and killed him. The ensuing bloodbath is still remembered by the place name where the battle occurred. This area on Nayau is called Sosoiwaidamudamu or the Swamp of Red Water. This battle brought Cicia from this point forward under the power of the Tui Nayau. In addition the islands of Komo and Olorua were given to the Kabara champion and his battle ally, Ravu, in recognition for Kabara's contribution to the defeat of Cicia. These two islands still remain as part of the Kabara District today.

Roko Malani is considered the progenitor of the noble household, Matailakeba. Two of his descendants included Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Fiji's first Prime Minister (a direct male line descendant), and Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, Fiji's first modern statesman. Roko Malani's principal wife was Ciri of Taqalevu, with whom he had a son. It is likely he had other wives and offspring but there is scant record to demonstrate this. Towards the end of his reign, the first Christian missionaries arrived in Fiji in 1830. These were three Tahitian missionaries of the London Missionary Society, sent to Lakeba to establish a church. Although it is recorded that he tolerated the early missionaries, and one of his sons Vaubula was an early convert and would later emerge as one of the first preachers amongst Fijians; he nevertheless remained faithful to the old religion. He died, as recorded by missionaries, a heathen, in 1833.

Roko Malani was succeeded by his younger brother, Taliai Tupou.

Other Roko Malani

1. Roko Malani (2) - (1820-1890) of Lau [3] Younger brother of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba (1), the Tui Nayau and grand nephew of Roko Malani (1). He named a newly birthed Ra chief as Ratu Kuliniyasi Roko Malani (1879-1933) during his stop over visit to puakaloa vasu maternal relatives at Nabukadra village in 1879 before attending a Methodist church conference in Vuda.

2. Roko Malani (1879-1933) of Ra [4] Ratu Kuliniyasi Roko Malani, former Sergeant of the Fiji Armed Constabulary Force in Levuka and late Buli Kavula, son of Ratu Amenatave Dewalarua and Seleima Veinoyaki and grandson of Ra chief, Ratu Meli Salabogi mentioned in the W.J. Smythe Cession Preliminary Report of 1862. Married Adi Asinate Senirewa from the Vuanirewa clan, the daughter of Roko Vilisoni Tuiketei (younger brother of Roko Malani (2) that named him at birth). They had two issues, Ratu Meli Salabogi MBE, JP (1911-1989) and Ratu Wilisoni Malani OBE, JP, OSTJ (1920-2005).

3. Roko Malani (1937-2013) of Ra. Ratu Kuliniyasi Roko Malani (2), the brother of Adi Laufitu Malani that traditionally endorsed and spent a night at Vatanitawake in Bau during the Vunivalu of Bau installation in 1959. [5][6] [7]

References

  1. ^ malanivosa part of a speech or utterance.This gives rise to the personal name,now a family name Malani(vosa) in Lau originally, but now famously at Nakorotubu,Ra. Fijian–English Dictionary: with notes on Fijian culture and natural history-Ronald Gatty. Suva,Fiji, pg 153, 2009. https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/28702
  2. ^ Native Lands Commission (NLC) Tukutuku ni Yavusa ko Lakeba, Ratu Jekesoni Yavala-Tubou Lakeba, Lau, 1930
  3. ^ Native Lands Commission (NLC) Tukutuku ni Yavusa ko Lakeba, Ratu Jekesoni Yavala-Tubou Lakeba, Lau, 1930
  4. ^ Native Lands Commission (NLC), Jone Vatuwaliwali, Nagigi, Cakaudrove, 1923.
  5. ^ Fijilive website report on Ratu Kuliniyasi Roko Malani heritage endorsement as a descendant of the 1st Vunivalu- Nailatikau (1) & Grandson of Vueti the 1st Roko Tui Bau and Tui Viti when Ratu Sir George Cakobau was installed as the Vunivalu of Kubuna. 50 years on, Bau awaits installation of Vunivalu of Bau, Fijilive, September 18, 2009
  6. ^ Native Lands Commission (NLC), 'Tukutuku ni Yavusa Kubuna', Ratu Isoa Natuituba, 1918
  7. ^ Genealogy on the Origin of the 1st Vunivalu from Nakorotubu, Ra presented on page 31 by the late Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, Roko Tui Bau & 2006-2009 Vice President of Fiji in 'The Life and Times of Cakobau: The Bauan State to 1855'- A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of Otago, New Zealand By Hurray P. Heasley, B.A. (Hons.), Otago. August, 2010. [1]
Categories