Two war clubs signifying the acceptance of Christianity have been returned to High Chief Ro Teimumu Kepa by two family descendants of Fiji’s first missionary, Reverend William Cross.
The Vanua of Rewa along with the Burebasaga Confederacy have today been marking the 175th anniversary of Cross’s arrival in Lomanikoro.
5th generation descendant of Rev William Cross, 75-year-old Rob Qumby said his first recollections of the two war clubs is when he was six-years-old sitting by his 80-year-old grandmothers chair.
Qumby said his grandmother had received the two war clubs from her grandfather, who was married to Lucie Anne Cross, the youngest daughter of William Cross.
He said it was his dream to return the two war clubs back to Fiji that were handed to Reverend Cross by the great chief Ro Banuve Kania, who became the first leader to embrace Christianity.
Ro Teimumu Kepa accepted the two war clubs.
More than 350 people from the Kubuna and Burebasaga confederacies were in attendance to witness the handing over ceremony.
Story by: Tokasa Rainima & William Waqavakatoga
