Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka Bestowed Chiefly Title by Leauva’a Village

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 24 October 2024 – The close relations between Commonwealth countries drew a deeper level as Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka was bestowed the Samoan chiefly title Tagaloa by the chiefs and orators of Leauva’a village yesterday.

Leauva’a is the adopted village of Fiji for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the village has been decorated with Fijian flags and Fijian motifs and designs.

Before he left Fiji  to come to Samoa, Prime Minister Rabuka requested to meet the village on his arrival having been touched and impressed by images he saw on social media of the village sustaining the Fiji spirit.

He was greeted by Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio who is from Leauva’a when he arrived before the raising of the Fijian flag.

Rabuka was then accorded the traditional welcome by the village chiefs and orators and the Ava Ceremony where the chiefly title was bestowed and honoured.

Tagaloa Sitiveni Rabuka receives his Ava Cup and is acknowledged by Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio.

Former Cabinet Minister, Sala Vaimili 11 spoke on behalf of the village to welcome the Prime Minister and touched on the close relationship between Samoa and Fiji and now Fiji and Leauva/a.

He referred to a great relationship between Samoa’s late Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili 11 and Fijis late President Ratu Cakobau.

In acknowledging the honour, “On behalf of the high chiefs of Fiji, both traditional and elected and the church leaders we represent here, and I accept this Ava on behalf of the people of Fiji. You are right, we are one,” said Tagaloa Rabuka.

The new chief, Tagaloa Sitiveni Rabuka showing the Archbishop and other Leauva’a village chiefs how a Prime Minister plants a tree.

Also present was the Head of the Catholic Church in Samoa, Archbishop Mosese who said that the village was honoured that the Prime Minister has stopped by.

“It is a blessing and significant day for our village and the young generation who bear witness to this momentous day,” said the Archbishop.After the traditional Ava and exchange of gifts, Tagaloa Rabuka then got his fingers dirty by planting a tree to commemorate the occasion.

He was emotional when he saw children singing and waving the Fijian flag, then walked towards them, stood for a while before calling them for a group photo.

As his motorcade departed to continue to his accommodation in Apia, the village children and people of Leauva’a sang and waved as Tagaloa Sitiveni Ligamamada has just been made one of them.