Birth of chief marked by tradition

Press, 28 June 1983, Page 26

Birth of chief marked by tradition

Visitors to Fiji are often overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome from native Fijians. But even more special is the welcome reserved for the first born of a high chief.

The recent birth of the grandson and namesake of the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, . was celebrated a few weeks ago with all the ceremony of centuries past.

On the day baby and mother left hospital, late last month, the scene outside the Prime Minister’s home was set for a cen-turies-old ritual which began with the traditional blowing of conch shells. Fijian women bearing lengths of fabrics on long poles were chased down the street by other women with mats and masi tied around their waists. The pursuers, women from the mother’s side of the family, were endeavouring to capture gifts from the first group of women representing the father. The most highly prized object to be captured was a large whale’s tooth or “tabua.”

The new born chief was brought home on his tenth day in a special cradle prepared with fine mats and masi (bark cloth). His mother, hidden behind folds of masi, was escorted quickly into the house. Only when inside was she unveiled, in keeping with a tradition which requires the mother to stay in confinement for up to 10 days.

The welcome continued with a feast and presentation of gifts from wellwishers. These included dalo wrapped in mats and masi, special bedding for the infant, a lantern, an axe for cutting firewood, and a knife.

But the baby’s reception was no one-day wonder: for 10 days the newborn chief was held continuously by women who took turns to do so. The baby — whose full

name is Ratu Kamisese Kapaiwai Mara Nailatikau — signifies the uniting in marriage of Fiji’s three confederacies of Tovata, Ku-

buna, and Burebasaga. His mother, Adi Koila, is the second eldest daughter of the Prime Minister, who is the paramount chief of

Lau, an important member of the Tovata confederacy. Ratu Sir Kamisese’s wife is the paramount chief of Rewa, the leading figure in

the Burebasaga confederacy. The new chiefs father is the Commander of the Royal Fiji Military Forces.