Enele Ma'afu

Enele Ma'afu'otu'itonga, commonly known as Ma'afu,^[1] was a man of two kingdoms being traditionally a Tongan Prince and a self forged Fijian chief.

A Brief History

He was born in Tongatapu, Tonga, in 1826, as the son of Aleamotu'a, Tu'i Kanokupulu In 1840 he married Elenoa Ngataialupe, with whom he had one child, Siale'ataongo, in Nukuʻalofa. Also a Christian, Ma'afu introduced Methodist Christianity to eastern Fiji. Ma'afu died 6 February 1881 on the island of Vanuavatu, and was buried on the Island of Lakeba in the chiefly village of Tubou.

The Beginnings of his Kingdom

Ma'afu'otu'itonga but known in Fiji as Enele (Henry) Ma'afu was born son of Aleamotu'a Tui Kanokupolu. Aleamotu'a and Taufa'ahau's (later King George 1) grandfather Tuku'aho were sons of Muimui. King George 1 sent Ma'afu to Fiji to organise and lead the Tongans there. This mission to Fiji also solved a potential rival for the throne. Ma'afu established himself at Lakeba as leader of the Tongan community in the Lau Islands in 1848. Aligning himself with the Tui Nayau, the Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands, he went on to conquer the Moala Islands and placed them under the Tui Nayau's authority. In 1850, Enele Ma'afu gave the Tui Cakau a canoe and in return the Tui Cakau gave the island of Vanua Balavu to Ma'afu. He went on to Vanuabalavu and took up residence in Lomaloma, after suppressing a religious war on the island. As referenced in R A Derrick's History of Fiji pp 128 'The presence at Lakeba of Tongan chiefs of high rank, supported and served by strong parties of their own people, formed an effective protection for the people of Lakeba against oppresions of Bau and Somosomo'.

War and Diplomacy

When Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the Vunivalu, by then the Paramount Chief of Bau, made his first offer to cede Fiji to the United Kingdom in 1858, William Thomas Pritchard, the British Consul, warned Ma'afu - by now the most powerful chief in northern Fiji - that under British rule, further attempts to expand his power base would not be tolerated. Ma'afu shrewdly signed an agreement denying sovereignty over Fijians and claiming to be in the islands only to oversee the Tongan population. Following Britain's decision in 1862 not to annex Fiji, however, Ma'afu resumed his attempts to extend his rule. In 1867, he created the Tovata Confederacy, covering most of northern and eastern Fiji. This arrangement was more successful than the attempt by Cakobau to form his own government.

Ma'afu's influence in Fiji remained a constant threat to Cakobau who had to rely on blown in white settlers and their guns to wade war against other parts of Fiji and maintain his supremacy.

From 1848 to 1874, Ma'afu waged wars against heathens and protected Teachers and Missioneries in conducting their duties supported by his two lieutenants in Semisi Fifita and Wainiqolo. He maintained his claim, however, to be the overseer of the Tongan population, and when the Tui Nayau raised the Tongan flag over Lakeba, Ma'afu took control of the Lau archipelago on the basis that its Paramount Chief had declared it be Tongan territory, rather than Fijian.

Ma'afu was faced with a crisis in June 1868, when the Tongan government disclaimed all sovereignty over Fijian territory, including the Lau Islands. Ma'afu could no longer exercise authority over Lau as a Tongan Prince. Lauan chiefs met in Lakeba on February 1869, and granted Ma'afu the title of Tui Lau, or King of Lau. He was subsequently recognized as such by the chiefs of Cakaudrove and Bua in May 1869, but abdicated in favour of Cakobau and the united Fijian monarchy in 1871. Ma'afu later played a leading role in the cession of Fiji to the United Kingdom in 1874.

On May 6 1990, the Queen of Tonga and her son the current King Tupou V visited Sawana, with Ratu Mara to celebrate his 70th birthday and to pay homage to the people of Sawana and Loto'a as the home base of Ma'afu. Ma'afu is well known and written in the History of Fiji and Tovata I&II that he opted for Sawana, Lomaloma in Vanuabalavu as his base and the Head Quarters of the new Chiefdom of Lau combining Yasayasa Moala, Lau and Somosomo Group under his command.

Sawana, A Tongan Village in Vanuabalavu was well described by the Lessins in their research book titled the Village of the Conquerors. This was Ma'afu's base where he and his people made their home in Fiji.

These are descendants of warriors who supported Ma'afu, all chosen to accompany him on his ventures to Fiji. It is logical to assume that it would have been impossible for one man alone to cast influence over half of Fiji without his warriors whose ancestors remain proud of their history and living on their village call Sawana. They are related, with common ancestors linking them back to Vavau, Haapai and Tongatapu.

Ma'afu left Onewai essentially unoccupied during his life as he respected the presence of the Tui Nayau and gave him space to retain his command of his people in the Lau group [which at that time excluded Yasayasa Moala and the Somosomo Group (Vanuabalavu and associated islands). Sawana, Lomaloma was his headquarters and base, much to the concern of the Vuanirewa people as it diminished their power base.

Lakeba and the Vuanirewa people were generally weak and were at the whim and influence of Cakobau and Tui Cakau driving them to poverty with the demands for levies and sacrifices in exchange for protection.

Ma'afu's settling in Lakeba in 1848 saw the changing of this as he restores some respect back to the Tui Nayau. Ma'afu went on to become one of the most influential and powerful leaders of Fiji.

His installation as the Tui Lau in Lakeba and his assuming control of all Tongan land in Fiji saw his confirmation as a Fijian Chief. In 1869 at Lomaloma, this was confirmed when the Chiefs of Cakaudrove, Bua and Macuata installed him as Tui Lau and President for life of the Tovata Confederacy.

The following 3 references are identified as depicting the history of this famous Tongan Prince who made Fiji his home and became a well known and feared Fijian Chief with his title Tui Lau.

Ref 1: A History of Fiji by RA Derrick gives account of Ma'afu's influence in Fiji Ref 2: Tovata I&II by AC Reid gives account of Ma'afu's influence in Lau Ref 3: Village of the Conquerors, Sawana: A Tongan Village in Fiji by Alexander Phillip Lessin and Phyllis June Lessin, Publishded by the Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 1970.

The following summary of events represent key milestones and achievement of this great warrior.

1848: at the age of 22 and about 2 years after his father’s death, Ma’afu arrived in Fiji and took up residence on Lakeba. Tupou Toutai returned to Tonga – Reference 1 pp128 see also Journal of Pacific History Vol.37, No1, 2002, John Spurnway

Tui Cakau called on Lakeba on Tui Nayau hoping to obtain some double hull canoes, the production of which was concentrated in Lau. Ma'afu was introduced to the Tui Cakau and bestowed his own canoe upon the Tui Cakau

Tui Cakau invited Ma'afu to join him in Cakaudrove. Ma'afu and some of his followers sailed back to Somosomo on the gift canoe with the Tui Cakau. On the way the Tui Cakau cemented his growing alliance with the Tongan Prince by declaring to Ma'afu, “I give you all the islands between lakeba and Taveuni”. Ma’afu returned to Lakeba in 1851. Ref 3 pp12

1853: Ma’afu conquered Matuku during his Moala campaign and brought Yasayasa Moala under Tui Nayau Ref 1 pp153

1854: On Easter Friday 1854, Maafu responded to the startling news to Rev Dr Lyth the resident minister on Lakeba, from Mataiasi Vave on Vanua Balavu of a multiple killing – reminiscent of St Bartholomews Day. Seventeen people were murdered in an apparent quarrel over distribution of turtle meat, within the Lomaloma clan of Ravunisa. The aggrieved party from the Mataqali Naitasiri of the Ravunisa clan, approached relatives in Yaro in Mualevu, who with the cooperation of the Naturuku people, carried out the gruesome killings. Mataiasi Vave and the surviving Ravunisa and Rasau, people sought refuge in Susui and Mataiasi sent his request for assistance to Lakeba – Reference 1 pp129 see also Reference 2 pp 42 reference 3 pp 13/14.

Ma’afu and Wainiqolo campaigned in Vanuabalavu in what has become known as the “Valu ni Lotu”, defeated the “heathens “ and on 3rd June 1854 Rev Lyth’s diary states, Ma’afu and his men returned quite unexpectedly from Vanua Balavu and reported the war between the heathens and the Christians is ended in favour of the latter. Maafu returned to Lakeba with the murderers [The Naturuku people] to be captives for life, in Lakeba Ref 2 pp 43

1855: Ma’afu had acquired sovereignty over northern Lau and established Lomaloma as his base following his exchanges with Tui Cakau Tuikilakila Ref 1 pp131

1859: Ma’afu campaigned on the Macuata coast with battle against Ritova resulting in the dividing of Macuata into 2 divisions, Beqa was also occupied bythe Tongans.

10th October 1860: Semisi Fifita (Ma’afu’s other Lieutenant who was Magistrate in Lomaloma from 1856) was campaining in the West of Fiji and known for his brutality. He was sentenced by the Catholic French on the corvette Cornelie to hard labour in New Caledonia for beating up the Yasawans who had converted to Catholicism. Semisi campaigned in the West whilst Wainiqolo campaigned in the East: Ref 1 pp150

July 1862: Ma’afu went for a visit to Tonga. During his absence, Wainiqolo waged war on Golea. Wainiqolo was shot dead on the beach at Wairiki and the Tongans were slaughtered.

Wainiqolo had taken Tui Cakau prisoner when Golea was involved in an internal Cakaudrove campaign Ref 1 pp 153

Ma’afu never forgave Wainiqolo for the act that he did and removed all land allocated to him. (Historians saw this anger as confirmation that Ma’afu was not part of the Wainiqolo plot to conquer Tui Cakau while he was away in Tonga.)

The unprovoked attack by Wainiqolo was regarded by the Tui Cakau as cancelling his obligation to respect the right of Ma’afu to islands which had been formerly part of Cakaudrove chiefdom. Golea sold the whole of Vanuabalavu to Europeans.

3 February 1865: Court of Arbitration convened by British Consul Jones handed down decision that Ma’afu was the lawful owner of Vanuabalavu and associated islands. Ma’afu executed an affidavit the following day to the effect that Vanuabalavu and all the other lands given to him … Ref 2, pp 51

1867: Lau, Cakaudrove and Bua united as the Confederation of North and East. Tui Cakau was chosen as interim leader Ref 1 pp161

15th February 1869: Tui Nayau and other chiefs of Lau witnessed the islands that belonged to Tonga were now under Ma’afu and combined with the islands under Tui Nayau to be now under one Chiefdom to be called Chiefdom of Lau of which Ma’afu was executive head with title Tui Lau Ref 1 pp 187 and Ref 2 pp53

Ma’afu severed ties with Tonga, and he and his people formally became Fijians with a Fijian Title of Tui Lau,

This act essentially combined The Exploring Islands (Vanuabalavu), Southern Lau (Kingdom of Lakeba) and Yasayasa Moala (Moala Group) under the new Chiefdom of Lau Ref 1 pp187

Lomaloma was the head quarters of Lau under Tui Lau, Ma’afu pp188

TRY Qala, TRY Buca and TRY Naturuku detail the origins of these people Ref 2 pp40 o TRY Qala [Ravunisa] from Narocivo hailed from Mualevu connected to Senimoli – These were the people that murdered Ravunisa that resulted in the “Valu ni Lotu”. [Motukavonu is where the Mataqali Nadawavula killed the turtle which instigated the murders.] o TRY Buca [Rasau] was exiled from Bau and travelled along Vanualevu, Somosomo and accidentally landed at Lomaloma o TRY Naturuku – came from Vanualevu o No one predominating out of the three Yavusas let alone predominating the existence and independence of the Yavusa Tonga

But all 3 Yavusas left in no doubt about who was in charge with all three surrendering their land and their people as inducement for Ma’afu to conquer Mualevu Ref 2 pp 43

May/June 1869: The Chiefs of the Tovata met at Lomaloma and held their second assembly where Ma’afu was recognised as Tui Lau Ref 2 pp 55

Ma’afu’s transition as a Chief in Fiji and severing his ties with Tonga was complete Ma’afu’s process of managing land Ref 1 pp 188 and Ref 2 pp 53 The head quarters of the Tui Lau at Loto’a in Lomaloma as oppose to Onetale in Lakeba Ref 2 pp56 Ma’afu as Tui Lau selects the Governor of Moala Ref 2 pp56

1871: Ma’afu retained the title of President for Life of the Tovata Confederacy Ref 2, pp59

10th October 1874: Ma’afu attended with other chiefs of Fiji (at 2pm) the signing of the Deed of Cession. Ma'afu was the only chief to sign in his own hand writing his name on the original Deed.

Ma’afu’s chiefly prerogative of land allocation and ownership in Lau passed to the Crown by virtue of the Deed of Cession

1875: Ma’afu was made Roko Tui Lau by the new British Administration, based in Lomaloma following Deed of Cession.

May 1877: Joeli Pulu died in Bau after serving as Ratu Cakobau’s minister and was buried at Viwa beside his friend John Hunt.

1880: Ma’afu’s testimony to the Lands Commission ‘It appears that allotment did not convey absolute title. What Ma’afu granted he could take away’, Ref 2 pp 54

1880: Council of Chiefs meeting at Mualevu chaired by Governor Sir William Des Veaux – Ma’afu confirmed his need of people to work the land in lieu of being relocated elsewhere. See also TRY (Yavusa Tonga)

6th February 1881: Ma’afu died in battle and was laid in state on his canoe at Lotoa for several months before taken to Tubou for burial Ref 3 pp 100

No Tui Lau succeeded Ma’afu for over half a century with all rights of the position assumed by the Tui Nayau for the time being

1903: Yavusa Tonga was legally constituted by the NLC Ref 3 pp 153

Ratu Sukuna was the second Tui Lau elected and installed by the Yavusa Tonga in 1938 when he was stationed at Lomaloma as Chief Assistance of NLC. He died in 1958 and the title of Tui Lau was vacant until Ratu Mara was installed in 1964 in Loto'a on the village of Sawana as the third Tui Lau. The title remains vacant today and the Yavusa Tonga - the decendents of the warriors that accompany Ma'afu to Fiji - people who were connected to him and shared the same faith and belief, now ponder the 'who' in the current generation of 'liga kaukaua' meet their criteria as the next Tui Lau.

In 1969 to commemorate the 100 years of his confirmation as a Fijian Chief and his Title Tui Lau and President of the Tovata Confederacy for life, Ratu Mara and Yavusa Toga installed a monument at Lotoa in Sawana. The plaque at the very bottom reads 'Ta e To'a Tu e To'a'. In Fijian is means 'Mate e dua na Qaqa, Tucake tale e dua na Qaqa' and in English 'When a Warrior Falls, Another Warrior Rises'

The following is summarised from the book History of Fiji by R A Derrick pp 131 captures the character of this great leader:

'Outstanding as Ma'afu's skills in war undoubtedly was, his real genius lay in statecraft, diplomacy and adminstration.' ,,, ' It is not too much to claim that he was one of the ablest chiefs the Pacific had produced during the nineteenth century, and worthy to be compared with Kamehameha the Great, who, a generation before, had unified Hawaii and founded its dynasty'

Footnotes

1. ^ Denoon et. al. 2004, p. 176

References

• A History of the Pacific Islands: Passages Through Tropical Time - Page 142 - by Deryck Scarr - 2001 - 323 pages
• Frommer's South Pacific - Page 229 - by Bill Goodwin - Travel - 2004 - 480 pages
• The Pacific Islands: An Encyclopedia - Page 238 - by Brij V. Lal, Kate Fortune - History - 2000 - 664 pages
• The Cambridge History of the Pacific Islanders - Page 176 - by Donald Denoon, Malama Meleisea, Stewart Firth, and Jocelyn Linnekin - 2004
• Ma'afu: the making of the Tui Lau - by John Spurway - 2001 - 313 pages - Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the Australian National University

Persondata
Name	Maafu, Enele
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1816
Place of birth
Date of death	1881
Place of death