In 2014, the remains of six laborers from the Solomon Islands, buried for over a century on Nawi Island in Savusavu Bay, were exhumed in a somber ceremony. This event saw police presence, and the graves were dug out by members of the Miller family from Nukunuve. Reports indicated that items such as a bottle of liquor, a mouth organ, coffin nails, and coffin pieces were found among the remains, which belonged to Melanesians brought to Fiji during the blackbirding era that began in the 1860s. The exhumation was reportedly conducted to facilitate hotel development planned for Nawi.
The remains, which had rested on the island for approximately 180 years, were reburied in Nukunuve. However, one grave on one of Nawi’s highest hills remains undisturbed and largely unknown to the public in Fiji. This grave belongs to a woman believed to be of Samoan royal lineage, affectionately referred to as Mouga.
Historical accounts suggest that she eloped to Fiji with a Mr. Miller, an ancestor of today’s Miller family in Fiji. There are conflicting reports regarding whether her partner was “William Miller” or “D.B. Miller,” with some suggesting that they were brothers. Nawi Island is situated in a scenic harbor, near the town of Savusavu, surrounded by lush natural beauty.
Mouga’s story, which leads to her final resting place on a hill overlooking Nawi Island Marina, is a fascinating tale of romance. A genealogical record of the Miller family reveals that Mouga, formally known as Aheamauga Lalomauga Mona Miller (nee Maloka), was of chiefly status and married to Daniel Bathe Miller, a sailor and shipwright. Daniel was born in Ovalau, Levuka, in 1816, and came from one of two brothers who immigrated from England to Fiji.
The historical narrative indicates that one of the Miller brothers fell in love with a royal Samoan woman. Faced with the disapproval of her culture regarding interracial marriage, she chose to forsake her home and family to join her beloved in Fiji. Mouga is believed to have been born in the 1820s in Fasito‘otai, Upolu, Samoa, which would make her 224 years old today, if she were still alive.
Mouga gave birth to two sons, Jim and William Henry Miller II, and a daughter named Maunga Miller. She eventually died in “Vanua Levu” and was buried on Nawi Island, where her grave remains today. Mouga’s eldest son was married to Adi Filomena Ravuiwai, linking her family to significant local lineages.
In discussions prior to the grave’s exhumation in 2014, the Miller family was approached by developers seeking permission to relocate graves on the island. Ultimately, it was agreed that Mouga’s grave would remain untouched as a prominent tourist site. On August 19, a team from The Sunday Times visited Nawi Island to photograph Mouga’s grave, situated on the western side of the marina. One family member noted that the grave site is classified as a reserve and will be preserved by Nawi Island.
To reach Mouga’s grave, the team took a $5 boat ride from Waitui Marina, followed by a hike across rolling hills. The trek took about 30 minutes and culminated in a rudimentary mound that overlooks the town and enjoys refreshing ocean breezes.
The tour guide shared that Mouga was buried alongside her husband and a young daughter who had passed away. One team member, Sophie Ralulu, remarked on the challenging yet rewarding experience of reaching the gravesite and appreciating the breathtaking views.
Mouga’s story reflects her willingness to follow her heart, establishing a legacy that connects diverse cultures and communities. She is recognized as a matriarchal figure whose influence extended through generations, with many of her female descendants marrying into various prominent families across the region.
If anyone wishes to share insights about their own ancestry, photographs, landmarks, or family heirlooms, they are encouraged to contact The Sunday Times team for potential publication.