Cameras captured a heartwarming moment as four-year-old Adi Mei Kainona nervously approached the Queen during her visit to Fiji, presenting her with a beautiful bouquet of Fijian flowers, which included the rare tagimaucia bloom from Taveuni. This touching scene took place during a historical royal tour reported by The Fiji Times on June 8, 1977.
As Adi Mei presented the flowers, she performed the customary gesture of respect by bowing gracefully. Decades later, Adi Mei recalled the day fondly, mentioning that it was Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna who coached her to perfect her presentation. “I never got it right until that day,” she reflected. Her traditional dress, handcrafted from white masi cloth by her mother, Adi Laisa Ganilau, and the women of Lau, added to the significance of the moment.
Adi Mei’s father, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, served as Deputy Prime Minister, connecting her to a lineage of leadership. She later married bank officer Penisoni Gauna and now has a daughter named Salote, continuing her family’s legacy.
The royal visit was a major event for Fiji, with Governor Sir Ronald Garvey and Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna playing key roles in the organizing committee. Reminiscing about the day, Ram Prasad, who was eight years old at the time, described the excitement surrounding the Queen’s arrival. He remembered how the road between Suva and Nausori was sealed, lined with eager residents waving flags and displaying banners of welcome, showcasing the sense of community and pride encountered during such royal visits.
This nostalgic recounting of a cherished moment in Fijian history illustrates how deeply such events resonate in people’s memories, emphasizing the importance of cultural traditions and the connections they foster within communities. It serves as a reminder of how the spirit of unity and the joy of shared experiences can uplift a nation, inspiring future generations to cherish their heritage.
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