Matawalu

{{unreferenced, date=December 2009 Matawalu was a Fijian chief. He was the son of

Niumataiwalu Niumataiwalu was a Verata high chief who was the father of Roko Rasolo and his siblings who became the Vuanirewa siblings or clan in Lau. The name Niumataiwalu, translated as 'I came first at Walu beach' was in memory of his grandfather-Tuivanuak ...

—first ''

Roko Sau Sau Mai Kedekede now more commonly referred to as Sau ni Vanua ko Lau is one of the preeminent titles held by the Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands in Fiji. History The title Sau Mai Kedekede originates from the Tongan word “Hau”, denoting ...

'' of

Lau Islands The Lau Islands aka little Tonga (also called the Lau Group, the Eastern Group, the Eastern Archipelago) of Fiji are situated in the southern Pacific Ocean, just east of the Koro Sea. Of this chain of about sixty islands and islets, about thirty ...

—and Uma of Nukunuku. Matawalu became the fourth ''Roko Sau'', ruler of the Lau Islands, after the death of his half-brother

Rasolo Rasolo was a Fijian High Chief. Family Father of Rasolo was Chief Niumataiwalu of Lakeba. Rasolo's mother was Lady Tarau of Tovu Totoya. Rasolo was a brother of Lady Sivoki and Uluilakeba I and half-brother of Matawalu. Rasolo's first wi ...

, but never succeeded to the title of '' Tu'i Nayau''. Matawalu had been exiled to

Nayau Nayau is an island of Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeas ...

by his elder half-brother Uluilakeba I. When Uluilakeba was killed by

Bauan Bauan, officially the Municipality of Bauan ( tgl, Bayan ng Bauan), is a 1st class municipality of the Philippines, municipality in the Philippine Province, province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of ...

forces, Matawalu led the counter invading force for Rasolo at the request of

Lakeba Lakeba (pronounced ) is an island in Fiji’s Southern Lau Archipelago; the provincial capital of Lau is located here. The island is the tenth largest in Fiji, with a land area of nearly 60 square kilometers.Steadman (2006) It is fertile and we ...

‘s people. It is said that Matawalu despised the

Tongans Tongans, a Polynesian group, represent more than 98% of the inhabitants of Tonga. The rest are European (the majority are British), mixed European, and other Pacific Islanders. There also are several hundred Chinese. Almost two-thirds of the p ...

, his sister-in-law

Laufitu Laufitu was a Fijian chiefess. Family Laufitu was the first wife of Rasolo, who was the third '' Sau kei Lau'' of the Lau Islands and first '' Tu'i Nayau''. They were the parents of Roko Malani, the seventh '' Sau kei Lau''. Laufitu would h ...

's people and their growing influence in Lakeba. On succeeding Rasolo, Matawalu removed himself to self-exile on

Bau Island Bau (pronounced ) is a small island in Fiji, off the east coast of the main island of Viti Levu. Bau rose to prominence in the mid-1800s and became Fiji's dominant power; until its cession to Britain, it has maintained its influence in politics an ...

. Matawalu’s half-nephew Nayacatabu, son of Uluilakeba, was left as regent in Matawalu’s absence, but was killed in a foray against the neighbouring island of Cicia. It was during this period that Dranivia seized power and declared himself ''Roko Sau''. His claim to power was short lived. While on a tour of Southern Lau, Matawalu returned to Lakeba, retook overlordship and gave orders to prevent Dranivia's return. Dranivia attempted to seize Lakeba again by force, but failed. Matawalu's dislike for Tongans resulted in direct conflict with his other nephew Malani, who was half-Tongan through his mother,

. A battle ensued between the two opposing factions and Matawalu was killed. Matawalu married Siri of Waitabu and from him is descended the majority of the Koroicumu household of the

Vuanirewa The Vuanirewa is the ruling tribe (yavusa) of the Lau Islands, a scattered group of more than a hundred islands (16 inhabited) and reefs along the eastern edge of Fiji. Origins The members of this clan all hail from the village of Tubou on t ...

clan. Fijian chiefs People from Lakeba Vuanirewa