Turaga na Gonesau

The Turaga na Gonesau is a chiefly title of the Fiji Islands and is viewed as the Paramount Chief of the Nakorotubu district ["The Method of Hope", By Hirokazu Miyazaki, P101, 102] in the Province of Ra on the Main Island of Viti Levu.

In Translation

The name "Gonesau" means "blessed child" as the first "Gonesau" was the son of Rokomautu from Verata (the first son of the Mythological High Chief and master sailor Lutunasobasoba, who is traditionally believed to have led the first migration to Fiji)."The Kalou-Vu (Ancestor-Gods) of the Fijians", Basil H. Thomson, Vol. 24, 1895 (1895), pp.340-359]

In History

Rokomautu gave his blessing or "Sau" or Mana to his son to be powerful in war, in intellect, and in anything that he would undertake.

The Gonesau settled in Nakorotubu from Verata. [Tukutuku Raraba National Archives Fiji Islands] Bau and Nasautoka in Wainibuka were settled by grandsons of Rokomautu, namely Raivalita and Koli respectively. The name Kavula and its district means white or pure and was meant to be a beacon of light (purity) for the Fijian race so the holders of that light were the Gonesau."Fiji Times", "The wonder and mystery of how Fijian history is repeated", by Robert Matau, Monday, March 26, 2007.]

The Gonesau's title was given by the first Roko Tui Bau and close cousin, Vueti Verata (a great great grandson of Rokomautu and grandson of Raivalita) for saving Bau during its early emergence as a Matanitu.

Footnotes

References

*"The Method of Hope": Anthropology, Philosophy, and Fijian Knowledge, by Hirokazu Miyazaki
*"Tukutuku Raraba" National Archives Fiji, "The Pacific Way – A Memoir" – Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara – University of Hawaii press Honolulu, Reference to ‘Tukutuku Raraba’ as ‘registrar of land owners rights and customs’
* "The Kalou-Vu (Ancestor-Gods) of the Fijians", Basil H. Thomson, "The Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland", Vol. 24, 1895 (1895), pp. 340-359, doi:10.2307/2842183

Translations and Transliterations

*"Say it in Fijian", An Entertaining Introduction to the Language of Fiji, by Albert James Schütz – 1972
*"Lonely Planet Fijian Phrasebook", by Paul Geraghty - 1994 - 182 pages
*"Spoken Fijian": An Intensive Course in Bauan Fijian, with Grammatical Notes and Glossary By Rusiate T. Komaitai, Albert J. Schütz, Contributor Rusiate T Komaitai , Published 1971, Univ of Hawaii Pr , Foreign Language / Dictionaries / Phrase Books , ISBN 0870227467

External links

*A Photo Journal of the Passing of the former [http://www.matavuvale.com/fiji/view_comments.php?set_albumName=RatuMalanispassing Turaga Na Gonesau]
*"Fiji Times" article with [http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=59493 history on the Gonesau]