The paramount chief of the Burebasaga confederacy Ro Teimumu Kepa says she is fortunate to live and witness the installation of the next Vunivalu na Tui Kaba of Kubuna.
While visiting the island to present their sevusevu on behalf of her confederacy, Ro Teimumu says this visit is peculiar because the past visits were usually for funerals, but this one is where after 33 years, the chiefly title of the Vunivalu na Tui Kaba of Kubuna will be occupied.
She says she has strong connections to Bau as both of her paternal and maternal grandmothers were from Bau.
She adds the Lady whom she was named after, Adi Teimumu Vuikaba, was the sister of Adi Litia Cakobau and the daughter of Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua, who was the son of Ratu Seru Cakobau.
The High Chief of the Burebasaga confederacy says her sister, the Late Marama Levu na Radini Nayau, Ro Lady Lala Mara and her have so many recollections of Bau as they spent most of their days with their kin from Kubuna.
She says her late father, Ro Joji Cokanauto Tuisawau was raised on the chiefly island of Bau and the connections between the Vunivalu and the Roko Tui Dreketi goes way back.
Ro Teimumu welcomes the decision by the Mataqali Tui Kaba and the Vanua o Kubuna and prays for God’s intervention on the special day.
The installation will begin with a church service at 10am on Bau Island tomorrow which will see Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and his family being prayed over and dedicated to the Lord by senior ministers of the Methodist Church.
Following the service, the traditional ceremonies pertaining to the installation will be held.
The yaqona and tabua presentation will follow and there will be traditional dances.
More than 1,000 people are expected to be on Bau Island to witness this historic event.
Spokesperson of the Vunivalu, Aisea Jack Komaitai says the importance of this installation is that for the past 33 years, the Kubuna Confederacy did not have its chief.
He says this is a wonderful moment for the whole of Fiji when it comes to the iTaukei culture.
Komaitai says they have also requested the students of Adi Cakobau School to perform at the installation ceremony.
