Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has been honored with a matai (chief) title in Samoa. The title was conferred upon him yesterday in Leauva’a Village, which is now considered Mr. Rabuka’s Samoan home. He received the high-ranking ‘tagaloa’alagi’ title, a significant honor in Samoan culture.
Anticipation surrounds the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2024, where only King Charles III is expected to receive a chiefly title alongside Mr. Rabuka.
The ceremony included a brief service led by the Archbishop and the Catholic Church leader in Samoa, followed by a traditional kava ceremony, a customary practice for conferring chiefly titles like ‘tagaloa’alagi.’ This title relates to one of the pre-missionary kings of Samoa.
Mr. Rabuka expressed a desire to highlight the close kinship that exists in the region, stating, “The church leaders who are represented here, we are one. We aspire to continue to demonstrate and show to the world the close kinship we have in our part of the world.”
The event was marked by a warm atmosphere as villagers from various ranks gathered to welcome Mr. Rabuka and his delegation, displaying placards with greetings and flying the Fijian flag from their homes.
As part of the ceremony, Mr. Rabuka was presented with three elei shirts, a Samoan-made tanoa, and traditional items such as fue (fly switch) and to’oto’o (wooden staff), all of which hold sacred significance in Samoan culture. The fue represents the wisdom of an orator, while the to’oto’o symbolizes authority.
Mr. Rabuka concluded by stating, “May God’s blessings rest on us forever, I receive this yaqona on behalf of the leaders and the people of Fiji,” before chanting a customary greeting, “Ni sa bula!”