VANUA VEIWEKANI KI VUNAPosted by YABAKIDRAU on September 4, 2009 at 4:51pm in Seni Mokosoi Boi Yawa kei Vuna - Taveuni
Back to Seni Mokosoi Boi Yawa kei Vuna - Taveuni Discussions
Yacata was estimated to have been settled well before the 1800s before a second group of settlers came from the neighbouring island of Taveuni They were descendants from the chiefly clan of Vuna, a village at the southern end of Tavueni. Its chief is titled "Na Sau mai Vuna". The new settlers entered from the eastern side of Yacata facing the island of Vatuvara, as the northern side, Daku, was already occupied. The place at which they landed is now called "Nasau" named after the chiefly title in Vuna. As in many parts of Fiji, original owners often give title and land to newcomers as sign of respect and full acceptance. Given their heritage and lineage, the new settlers now make up the current chiefly clan of the Tui Yacata, the chiefly title.
The next group of settlers came from Qamea and Laucala islands at the northern point of Taveuni and legend have it that they arrived at Yacata from the northern eastern end and camped on a rocky island in the lagoon facing the village. As they landed, they laid out their canoe sail to dry in the sun but this was burnt by the warrior clan who then sought the decision of the Tui Yacata as to their fate. They were spared and now the clan perform the role of Herald (spokesperson) to the Tui Yacata. The spot at which they landed is named "Koma Laca" or burn sail.
The close connection with Vuna in Taveuni is recognised in that both share the same ancestral god, plant, fish and bird. In fact, Yacata was part of the district of Vuna until after the war against the Tongans in 1860s, in the reign of the fourth Tui Yacata, when it came under Cakaudrove, the chiefly district of the paramount chief "Tui Cakau". This was in recognition of its loyalty in not joining Tongan warlord Wainiqolo and his army of Tongans and Fijians to fight Tui Cakau at Wairiki in Taveuni. Wainiqolo's defeat triggered off the sale of islands close to Yacata by Tui Cakau and the relocation of its inhabitants as punishment. In the Fiji map, islands close to Yacata; (Mago, Naitauba & Kanacea) were former estates sold to European settlers. Vanuabalavu was initially sold but the sale was reversed after an inquiry following the return from Tonga of Wainiqolo's master Enele Ma'afu. In these times, Tui Cakau was the paramount chief whose dominion extended to the islands in lower northern Lau including Vanuabalavu. These historical events explain why Yacata, though in northern Lau, remain in the province of Cakaudrove, with close link to the Tui Cakau household, acquiring the title "Qase" or elders who perform the role of guardian to the chiefly family.
The original dialect of Yacata, as in the neighbouring islands, is that of Cakaudrove where the "k" is dropped. However, this has since been replaced with a new dialect closely aligned to those in the neighbouring islands around Vanuabalavu.
People of Yacata belong to one of the three clans "mataqali" on the island. Naniti is the chiefly clan, Nadrodrodro as the heralds "matanivanua" clan and Dakuicake as the warrior "bati" clan. Land and fisheries ground in Yacata is allocated along clan lines.
GEOGRAPHY :Situated in Northern Lau in Fiji, 32kms west of Kanacea, the same distance south west of Naitauba and 80km south east of Taveuni.
Entirely surrounded by fringing reef which is a mile wide at east end where it is joined to the neighbouring island of Kaibu.
Present village also called Yacata is situated on the north east of the island but its former name is Totokana. The present site was settled after the arrival of missionaries in Fiji in 1835. The original settlement was at the base of the main mountain on the island and was called Kakabale. To this day, remains of the village site and stone fortification can be found at this area and places down from there indicating the descent to the present village site by the sea.In traditional Fijian affiliations, Yacata belongs to the district (tikina) and province (yasana) of Cakaudrove.
Tags: cakaudrove, lau, vuna, yacata
Tags: cakaudrove, lau, vuna, yacata
