Qarase is Tui Kobuco in Mavana Village

CHIEF QARASE
3-Jan-2009 12:18 PM
www.fijidailypost.com

OUSTED Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has been installed as the new chief of Mavana village in his home island of Vanuabalavu in Lau. The decision was reached after the chiefly clan of Tota met on Wednesday.

He was traditionally installed as the Tui Kubuca in what was described as a moving ceremony on Thursday with the full support of Mavana villagers.

The Tui Kubuca, leader of the Yavusa Qalita, is chosen from the House of Nadroga, Nukucagina, Qilaqila or Naisogobua.

Qarase belongs to the House of Qilaqila and succeeded Josefa Cagi, who passed away in April last year:

Sau kei Mualevu and Tui Mavana Josefa Basulu, who is also a representative of the Lau province to the Bose Levu Vakaturaga, gave his full backing and blessings to the newly appointed chief.

The installment service was conducted by Reverend Josateki Koroi, a former President of the Methodist Church in Fiji. Qarase has been a very influential public figure in the country especially amongst indigenous Fijians. He has worked in government organisations and banks before being appointed caretaker Prime Minister following the coup in 2000. He moved to his village after the military overthrew his Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua led multi-party government in December 2006.

By LOSALINI RASOQOSOQO


Qarase wears chief's hat
By Ana Niumataiwalu
www.fijitimes.com - Sunday, January 04, 2009

OUSTED prime minister Laisenia Qarase is the Tui Kubuca of Mavana.

Mr Qarase was installed as the new chief on New Year's Day, witnessed by villagers who went to Vanuabalavu to be part of the celebration.

The Tui Kubuca's herald, Mesake Koroi, said Mr Qarase was installed as head of yavusa Qalitu.

The title was vacant after the death of the previous holder, the late Josefa Cagi, who passed away in April last year.

Mr Koroi said since the passing away of Cagi, the four mataqali of Tota, Vatulami, Valika and Valevono looked after the affairs of the village until a new Tui Kubuca was installed.

"The Tui Kubuca is the head of the four mataqali in Mavana," he said.

"People of Mavana living in Suva and across the globe charted the Suilven to the village for the vakatarai sulu or end of mourning and installation of a new chief.

"The vakatarai sulu was held on December 27 and the procedures that followed were that the chiefly mataqali of Tota met to choose a chief.

"Ater the meeting the person chosen was relayed to the yavusa Qalitu and received that Mr Qarase was to be installed."