Tui Nayau - The Rise of The Vuanirewa Dynasty

The Rise of The Vuanirewa Dynasty

The period after the death of Chief Niumataiwalu in Ono-i-Lau can be assumed to have followed with the conquest of Lakeba by the Levuka people from Bau and supplanting the supremacy of the Cekena dynasty in the Lakeba State with a dictatorship under the heavy hand of the Levuka peoples’ leader, Codro. Before this occurred, Niumatawalu’s surviving sons had fled and sought refuge with their relatives.

It was during this exile on Nayau when Rasolo, Niumataiwalu’s son set up his foundations near a rewa (Cerbera manghas) tree. The name Vuanirewa comes into existence. With the passing of Vukinavanua, an ensuing dispute among the nobles over who should succeed him arose. According to oral history, the high priest intervened by taking all claimants to the top towering cliffs called Delaiwawa and indicated that the only one to leap from the cliff and live would be worthy to succeed to the title. It is here that Rasolo enters into the legend, as he is the only one who takes up the challenge, leaps and survives.

Installed as Tu’i Nayau, Rasolo was approached by the Lakeba people to free them from Codro’s tyrannical rule. It is said Rasolo allowed himself to be approached three times before agreeing to their request. He and his brother Matawalu then lead an army with supporting Lakeba forces which routed and expelled Codro and the Levuka people. With this triumph Rasolo was brought over from Nayau and installed as Roko Sau, in which the whole of Lakeba took part.

Rasolo was succeeded by his brother Matawalu, who hated his brother’s wife Laufitu. He removed himself to Bau for a long period, allowing for his nephew Dranivia, son of Uluilakeba I to seize power. Matawalu upon hearing this returned to Lakeba, reasserted his authority, whilst his nephew fled to Nayau. This point takes a dramatic and dark turn in the history of the Vuanirewa as Malani, Rasolo’s son concerned with the anti-Tongan attitude of his uncle and fear for his mother’s people well-being, took the opportunity of Dranivia’s expulsion to lead a coup that lead to kin slaying and the death of Matawalu. Matawalu’s death again heralded Dranivia’s return, but his attempt at taking Lakeba was thwarted, with the support of Malani’s Nayau relative Delailoa, on whom he bestowed the name Lagonilakeba in gratitude. These events have meant that from that point forward, the noble households, Naivi (which Dranivia led) and Koroicumu (which Matawalu led) of the Vuanirewa dynasty forfeited their rights and can no longer make assertions to the title, Tui Nayau.