Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has officially been named a chief in Samoa. The Prime Minister received the matai title during a ceremony held in Leauva’a Village on October 23, 2024, which has now become his Samoan home.
Rabuka was granted the ‘tagaloa’alagi’ title, a prestigious chief title in Samoan culture. This title is notable as it belongs to one of the kings from Samoa’s pre-missionary era. During the ceremony, which included a brief service led by the Archbishop and the leader of the Catholic Church in Samoa, a traditional kava ceremony was performed to commemorate the occasion.
Mr. Rabuka expressed his intentions of fostering the kinship shared among nations, stating, “We aspire to continue to demonstrate and show to the world the close kinship we have in our part of the world.” He emphasized the unity present among the church leaders and attendees during this significant event.
The community welcomed Mr. Rabuka and his delegation warmly, with displays of the Fijian flag and signs that read “Bula Vinaka!” He received several gifts, including three elei shirts, a Samoan-made tanoa (a traditional bowl), a fue (fly switch), and a to’oto’o (wooden staff). Each of these items carries cultural significance, representing wisdom and authority.
In closing his remarks, Mr. Rabuka invoked a blessing for the leaders and people of Fiji, saying, “May God’s blessings rest on us forever, I receive this yaqona on behalf of the leaders and the people of Fiji.”
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