Vunivalu of Rewa- Ro Mataitini Passes Away

No mourning period for Rewa

Wednesday, April 02, 2008-www.fijitimes.com

THE people of Rewa will not observe a taboo period marking the death of the late Vunivalu, Ro Jone Mataitini.

A nephew of the late Vunivalu, Ro Alipate Mataitini, said only close members of the family, including the Vunivalu's widow, Bulou Amalaini Vale, his sisters and several nieces would observe the ritual, which entails wearing black and not cutting their hair until 100 nights after the funeral.

The late Vunivalu, a former Ombudsman and soldier at the Malaya campaign was buried at his village, in Lomanikoro last Wednesday.

The funeral was attended by the Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and relatives.

Province mourns chief
Last updated 3/27/2008 - www.fijitimes.com

The vanua of Rewa farewelled its Vunivalu Ro Jone Cure Mataitini yesterday.
The funeral service, which was held in Lomanikoro, Rewa, was attended by close relatives, diplomats and senior government officials including the interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
The passing away of Ro Mataitini has left the vanua of Rewa in mourning.
His nephew Ro Alipate Mataini said the people of Rewa would be observing a period of mourning.
It is not yet known when the next Vunivalu will be installed.
“It’s the vanua who decides on the installation of the next Vunivalu but at the moment the people want to observe a period of mourning,” he said.
Ro Jone passed away in his sleep on Tuesday last week. His wife Bulou Amalaini Vale was by his side.
Ro Jone was 81. He succeeded his late father, Ro Etuate Navakamocea Mataitini, as Vunivalu of Rewa 41 years ago and is survived by Bulou Amalaini, two sons Ro Jone and Ro Mocelutu, and two daughters Ro Unaisi and Ro Mereani, 13 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Ro Jone also has three surviving sisters, Ro Saunayalewa, Ro Litiana and Ro Qereitoga, and a brother Ro Epeli Mataitini.
He was a member of the Great Council of Chiefs, a former senator and member of the Fijian Affairs Board, the Rewa Provincial Council of which he was chairman, and various other statutory organisations.
He was also a former Ombudsman and an ex-serviceman.
Traditionally Ro Jone is the closest confidante, relative and advisor to the Roko Tui Dreketi, with whom he claimed traditional paramountcy in the province of Rewa.
As Vunivalu, Ro Jone was the bedrock upon which the people of Rewa found stability and to which the Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa and her predecessor Ro Lady Lala Mara could always rely on for support and advise.

A chief for the land and people is laid to rest

REIJELI KIKAU
Thursday, March 27, 2008-www.fijitimes.com

The Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, at the funeral yesterday.+ Enlarge this image

The Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, at the funeral yesterday.

THE late Vunivalu of Rewa, Ro Jone Mataitini, was a man who always had the vanua and the people at heart.

Delivering his eulogy at the funeral service at the Josaia Methodist Church at Lomanikoro in Rewa yesterday, his son and namesake Ro Jone Mataitini said that was something which his father would always be remembered by.

He said his father was someone who was always there for the people of Rewa and his advice and sound knowledge was something they would greatly miss.

Ex-Servicemen Association president Colonel Matereti Sarasau said Ro Jone was a respected member of the association who had served in the Malaya campaign.

He said that Ro Jone was a distinguished soldier and a chief who was hardworking and a very active member of the ex-soldiers association.

Yesterday, more than 500 close family members, relatives from chiefly households, friends and colleagues attended the funeral church service.

The church service was a combination of Methodist and Catholic denomination.

Methodist Church in Fiji Rewa division superintendent Reverend Kalivati Ravoka, who led the service, said they were farewelling a chief who was well known for his love for his people.

He was glad that the late chief had a yearning to learn more of the Lord and do his good will.

After the sermon from Mr Ravoka, Ro Jone was accorded a requiem mass celebrated by Father Sanele.

Hymns were sung by the Naililili Catholic Mission Church choir.

The funeral service was later moved to Wairua, the chiefly burial ground for the Vunivalu clan, where Ro Jone was laid to rest.

Delegates present at the service included the Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa, interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, interim Defence Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau, his wife Adi Ateca Ganilau and senior officers from the police and military.

Province prepares to farewell chief

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Dalo and pigs were piled up at Lomanikoro Village as people arrived to present their reguregu to the late Vunivalu of Rewa Ro Jone Mataitini yesterday+ Enlarge this image

Dalo and pigs were piled up at Lomanikoro Village as people arrived to present their reguregu to the late Vunivalu of Rewa Ro Jone Mataitini yesterday

THE late Vunivalu of Rewa Ro Jone Mataitini will be accorded a mixture of Methodist and Catholic church burial at the Josaia Methodist Church at Rewa Lomanikoro at 10am today.

Family spokesman Ro Aca Mataitini said his late grandfather's funeral service will include the two denominations because they were the first two to be received by the people of Rewa.

"We are expecting more than 1000 relatives from chiefly households from around the country, friends and the vanua at the burial today," he said.

He said interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama led a delegation on Monday morning to present their last respect to the family at the village.

Ro Aca said they Mr Bainimarama was accompanied by officers from the Fijian Affairs to pay their respect.

"The funeral gathering proper was supposed to start on Tuesday but close relatives and those closely linked to the family have been coming to pay their last respects since Saturday last week.

"This did not include those that came on Monday but since 10am on Tuesday morning there has been 44 delegations that have come to the village to pay their last respects," he said.

He said they had expected the Vanua o Lau, Na Vunivalu of Korolevu , Vanua o Rewa and other chiefly households closely linked to the family to pay their last respect yesterday.

Ro Aca said the warriors of Vutia Village were at the village yesterday morning ready to carry out their traditional duties once the body of the late Vunivalu arrived at the village

Former Ombudsman dies, 81

Thursday, March 20, 2008 - www.fijitimes.com

A high chief of Rewa and former Ombudsman has died.

The Vunivalu of Rewa and also a former senator Ro Jone Cure Mataitini (pictured) died in his sleep on Monday evening, with his wife, Bulou Amalaini Vale in attendance.

He was 81.

Ro Jone succeeded his late father, Ro Etuate Navakamocea Mataitini, as Vunivalu of Rewa 41 years ago and is survived by his wife, sons, Ro Jone and Ro Mocelutu, and daughters, Ro Unaisi and Ro Mereani, 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Ro Jone was a member of the Great Council of Chiefs, and member of the Fijian Affairs Board, the Rewa Provincial Council of which he was chairman, and various other statutory organisations.

He is also an ex-serviceman of the Fiji Military Forces. The funeral will be held in Lomanikoro, Rewa.

Traditionally, the Vunivalu of Rewa is the closest confidante, relative and adviser to the Roko Tui Dreketi, with whom he claims traditional paramountcy in Rewa.

As Vunivalu, Ro Jone was the bedrock upon which the people of Rewa found stability, and to which the Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa and her predecessor Ro Lady Lala Mara could always rely on for support.

To the last, he never swayed from his loyalty to the Roko Tui Dreketi.