Lasakau Sea Warriors - Clash With Christianity

Clash With Christianity

Kolivisawaqa's I son Kolivisawaqa II succeeded Gavidi after his death in Verata in April 1850. His siding with Ratu Cakobau and King George of Tonga's Christian forces at the Battle of Kaba (1855) was critical to the defeat of rebel forces led by Ratu Mara Kapaiwai. This was initially not the case. As told by Rev Calvert, "I feared that danger was at hand, mainly, I thought, through Koli-i-Visa Wanq-qa head chief of the Bau fishermen who was holding intercourse with Mara the rebel chief who had joined the King of Rewa." Cakobau realising the dire predicament he was in urged Rev Calvert, "There is one thing that may be useful-Do you keep close intercourse with Koli."

Kolivisawaqa II however later joined rebel chiefs in creating dissention to Cakobau's rule. In 1859, he was captured along with other rebel chiefs, Ratu Mara Kapaiwai, Naulivou and Ratu Isikeli (Tui Viwa) for resisting the spread of Christianity.

They were tried but they escaped. Ratu Mara and Ratu Naulivou were later recaptured, tried and hung on 6 August 1859. Later Koli after being pardoned became a Chrstian. He eventually featured prominently in all other Bauan Christian wars and pacification campaigns in particular at Ba in the 1860s and 70s.

Adi Litiana (daughter of Ratu Masivesi the son of Tanoa) of the Tui Kaba was first betrothed to Tutekovuya. After Tute's death she apparently married Kolivisawaqa II. Koli's son was Kamicakamica I who was married to Adi Mereoni Kula of the Masau. He had three sons from her; Ratu Maika Rabonu, Ratu Pio Tini(1887-?) and Ratu Viliame Kamikamica II and a daughter Adi Stela. Ratu Maika, Pio and Adi Stella's, Christian names signify that they were baptized in the Roman Catholic faith.

This was probably due to Koli's falling-out period with Cakobau and the Wesleyan missionaries. Many chiefs after the Battle of Kaba in 1855 still sided with rebel Bau chief Ratu Mara Kapaiwai. They saw Wesleyanism as a Cakobau and Tongan conspiracy for political supremacy. This was one of the reasons for some high chiefs opting to convert to Roman Catholicsm. Furthermore Koli's move to adopting Catholicism would have stemmed more from a political motive due to the Wesleyan missionaries abhorrence of his tribe's pillaging and plundering- the raision d' etre, of Lasakau's sea warriors.

Evidently Kamikamica's I eldest son Ratu Maika Rabonu had four daughters who married into other noble houses of other provinces. Adi Sainimili Lewamoqe married the Tui Ba, Adi Mereani Salele married the Vunivalu of Rewa. Adi Mereoni Nawaibau, and Adi Josivini Maisavu also married into leading Kubuna clans.

Kamikamica's I second son Ratu Pio Tini had two son's and a daughter-Ratu Viliame Kamikamica III (1915–64) and Adi Kelera Kataogo (1911–1980) from his union with Silafaga Paniani (1876–1918) of the Ainu'u Maliatoa clan of Sapapali'i village Savaii Samoa and another son, Ratu Qionikoro whose mother was a Ms Wedlock. Ratu Viliame Kamikamica III had two children from Teuila Tunufai Selio of Sale'aula village Savaii Samoa, Adi Silafaga and Ratu Alisada Vodo Kamikamica. Ratu Viliame Kamikamica's III second marriage to Sala Ahome'e-a half-sister of Queen Mata'aho of Tonga produced two children, Ratu Jiale Kamikamica and Adi Kelera Kamikamica.

Kamikamica's I third son, Ratu Viliame Kamikamica II married Adi Lele of the Tui Cakau of Somosomo Taveuni where he resided and had children: Adi Litiana, Ratu Filimoni, Ratu Sakiusa, Ratu Viliame, Ratu Filimoni II, Adi Lele and Adi Wati.

Kamikamica's I daughter, Adi Stela was married to Ratu Filimoni Loco, Tui Sawakasa and had a son Ratu Ovini Loco.