The remains of the late Rewa chief, Ro Veidovi, were recently returned home after being preserved at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Ro Veidovi, who was born in 1802 and passed away in 1842, played a significant role in the history of Fiji, and his return has been welcomed as a momentous occasion for the people of Rewa.
Military Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai provided insights into Ro Veidovi’s lineage, revealing that he was the son of Roko Tabaiwalu, another prominent chief of Rewa. Roko Tabaiwalu had seven children and was married to a woman from Tavuki in Kadavu, though her name remains unknown.
The return of Ro Veidovi’s remains was described by Ro Jone as both moving and emotional, marking a symbolic homecoming for a leader who once walked the lands of Rewa. Historically, Ro Veidovi was noted to be the younger brother of the Roko Tui Dreketi in the 1900s. His legacy is somewhat marred by controversy, as he was implicated in the deaths of several American beche-de-mer traders during an incident on Ono Island in 1834.
In 1840, as tensions escalated, the American ship Peacock was present in Rewa’s waters. An order was issued by Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, who commanded the United States Exploring Expedition, to arrest Ro Veidovi based on information from Patrick Connell, an Irish beachcomber. Connell accused Ro Veidovi of involvement in a deadly plot against the Charles Doggett, an American merchant ship he had previously assisted during its beche-de-mer harvesting on Kadavu. The incident led to the death of ten individuals, eight of whom were American.
Despite his past actions, Ro Veidovi had previously aided the American expedition in its explorations, creating a complex relationship between him and the U.S. forces. The juxtaposition of his contributions alongside the treacherous events illustrates the multifaceted nature of his legacy. The ceremony surrounding the return of his remains was not just a historic acknowledgment of his life, but also a reminder of the intricate ties that bind history, heritage, and identity for the people of Rewa.
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