Hundreds of people will converge in Tubou Village on Lakeba Island to witness the installation of the new Tui Nayau and Sau ni Vanua o Lau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.
Tubou Village Headman, Waqavonovono Temo says preparations are underway with different clans and villages joining hands for this historic occasion.
He says one of their main challenges was water, but now, the team from the Water Authority of Fiji has managed to connect it to a water source.
Temo says they can now access water from the comfort of their own homes.
He adds that everyone is on high alert to make this occasion a fruitful one.
Temo says he is blessed to be alive to witness the installation of the Tui Nayau.
Meanwhile the Warrior clan of Yadrana on Nayau Island are standing guard as they will be the ones who will bring the Turaga Na Tui Nayau to Lakeba.
This will include 20 men from Yadrana.
According to the Lau Provincial Administrator, Iakobo Waqanidrola, around 52 police officers have been deployed to Lakeba Island to provide security.
He says the team from the RFMF and government officials have left for Lakeba to carry out maintenance works on roads and other infrastructure.
Today, the Yavusa of Vuanirewa will travel to Nayau Island to confirm the traditional title.
After 56 years, we will witness the installation of the Tui Nayau, while the new Tui Lau will be installed after 62 years.
The late Tui Nayau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara succeeded to the Tui Nayau title in 1969, following the death of his father in 1966.
He was earlier installed as Tui Lau in 1963 following the traditional consultation process between the Yavusa Toga in Sawana, Lomaloma and the Tui Nayau.
While speaking to fijivillage News, a representative from the Yavusa o Vuanirewa, Jope Lalaga Umu says a traditional ceremony will also take place in Nayau, and tomorrow, the group will return to Tubou to prepare for the installation.
Umu says that the four Tokatoka of Vuanirewa have each been allocated responsibilities and contributions for the installation ceremony.
He says the people of Lau are filled with joy and anticipation as they look forward to the installation, which will be the first since the passing of the late Tui Nayau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held next Tuesday, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou next Thursday.
We will provide live coverage of the two installation ceremonies on our website, facebook and YouTube pages, fijivillage and VITIFM.
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