Tubou Village in Lau is ready to host thousands of people that will bear witness to the installation of the Tui Lau and Sau ni Vanua o Lau that will take place today.
This historic occasion does not come by often as the last installation was done 62 years ago.
The last Tui Lau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was installed in 1963 following the traditional consultation process between the Yavusa Toga in Sawana, Lomaloma and the Tui Nayau.
Yesterday, the Vanua o Nakorotubu in Ra led by Na Turaga na Gonesau Ratu Joji Malani Yavusa Tonga in Sawana, Vanuabalavu, the Vanua o Burebasaga led by Na Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi and the Bauan delegation led by Ratu Josefa Celua Cakobau made presentations to the Tui Nayau Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.
A final rehearsal was done this afternoon in preparation for tomorrow.
Ratu Tevita was installed as the Tui Nayau on Tuesday.
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u of the Kingdom of Tonga, and Māori Queen Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō will arrive today for the ceremony.
Security is high as the Fiji Police Force, RFMF and Fiji Navy are posted on the island.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe says they have been planning their operations in line with the installation of the Tui Nayau, Tui Lau and Sau ni Vanua o Lau and they have deployed officers in advance.
He says they have been concentrating on their Operation Sasamaki in Kadavu and other parts of Fiji but little on the other maritime region.
Vusonilawe says this is an opportune time for them to deploy their capabilities.
He says the RFMF and Fiji Navy are also on the island to provide security.
The installation will begin with a church service and will be led by the Archbishop Peter Loy Chong.
Following the church service, there will be a traditional ceremony of the installation of the Tui Lau and Sau ni Vanua o Lau.
Stay with us as we will bring you the live coverage on our website, facebook and YouTube pages, fijivillage and VITIFM.
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