Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has been honored with a matai (chief) title in a ceremony held yesterday in Leauva’a Village, Samoa. He received the ‘tagaloa’alagi’ title, which is regarded as a prestigious chief title. This designation makes Leauva’a his Samoan home.
The ceremonial occasion included a brief service led by the Archbishop and the Leader of the Catholic Church in Samoa, followed by a traditional kava ceremony to officially confer the title. The title of tagaloa’alagi is historically linked to one of Samoa’s kings from the pre-missionary era.
During the event, Mr. Rabuka expressed, “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 atmosphere in the village radiated a sense of unity as villagers, from the highest-ranking chief to the youth, gathered to welcome him and his delegation, displaying placards saying “Bula Vinaka!” and flying the Fijian flag from their homes.
Mr. Rabuka received several gifts, including three elei shirts, a Samoan-made tanoa, a fue (fly switch), and a to’oto’o (wooden staff), all of which hold sacred significance in Samoan culture and are integral to traditional ceremonies. The fue embodies the wisdom of the orator, while the to’oto’o symbolizes authority.
“May God’s blessings rest on us forever, I receive this yaqona on behalf of the leaders and the people of Fiji,” Mr. Rabuka remarked during the ceremony, concluding with “Ni sa bula!”
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