Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba III[1] (October 4, 1898 – October 4, 1966) was the 12th Tui Nayau and Sau ni Vanua of the Lau Islands. He was the father of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, founding father of the modern nation of Fiji.

Ratu Te, as he was known, hailed from the chiefly village of Tubou on the island of Lakeba in Lau Province. He became the Tui Nayau upon the death of his father, Ratu Alifereti Finau Ulugalala in 1934. His mother was Adi Ateca Moceiwaqa (or spelled Ateca Moceiwai), paternal granddaughter of Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the self-proclaimed King of Fiji, and daughter of Ratu Epeli Nailatikau I.

The origin of the Fijian farewell song "Isa Lei" is disputed, and one versions holds that Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba composed it[2] in 1916 for Adi Litia Tavanavanua (1900–1983), when she visited Lakeba in 1916.[3]

Ratu Tevita's offspring

edit
Name Date of birth Date of death Mother's name
Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Uluilakeba Mara May 6, 1920 April 18, 2004 Lusiana Qolikoro (of Sawana, Lomaloma, Vanuabalavu) [de facto]
Ratu Jone Ukelele Uluilakeba 1922 Unknown Unaisi Biu Miqawalu (Levuka, Lakeba) [de facto]
Ratu Salesi Kinikinilau Uluilakeba 1924 Unknown Unaisi Biu Miqawalu (Levuka, Lakeba) [de facto]
Ratu Jone Liwaki Uluilakeba September 11, 1926 Unknown Unaisi Biu Miqawalu (Levuka, Lakeba) [de facto]
Ratu Tevita Vakacereivalu Uluilakeba July 26, 1927 March 25, 1998 Mere Waqa (of Levuka, Lakeba) [de facto]
Adi Atelaite Eci Uluilakeba February 25, 1930 October 2007 Roko Oseni Senivaivai (of Tokatoka Naivi) [married]
Adi Neomai Vititoga Uluilakeba 1931 30 August 2015 Mere Waqa (of Levuka, Lakeba) [de facto]
Ratu Viliame Vueta'asau Uluilakeba October 30, 1933 March, 2012 Lakalaka (of Taqalevu) [de facto]
Ratu George Laifone Uluilakeba January 4, 1935 1983 Adi Mereoni Veisa (of Tokatoka Vatuwaqa) [de facto]
Ratu Etuate Wainiu Uluilakeba November 12, 1937 2011 Roko Oseni Senivaivai (of Tokatoka Naivi) [de facto]
Adi Taraivini Lubatilakeba Uluilakeba October 10, 1938 June, 2017 Silipa Raikoro (Lemaki of Tubou) [de facto]
Adi Arieta Koila Uluilakeba October 15, 1939 October 24, 2009 Lakalaka (of Taqalevu) [de facto]
Adi Keresi Sekasekanimunia Uluilakeba June 19, 1942 Still alive Adi Mereseini Radinivuna (of Tokatoka Vatuwaqa) [de facto]
Adi Asilina Davila Uluilakeba July 19, 1943 Still alive Silipa Raikoro (Lemaki of Tubou) [de facto]
Adi Sainimili Rokolewasau Uluilakeba January 28, 1946 November 9, 2012 Silipa Raikoro (Lemaki of Tubou) [de facto]
Adi Lola Po'fa Uluilakeba August 22, 1947 Still alive Eseta Waji (of Oneata, Lau) [de facto]
Adi Asenaca Saurogo Lalakoverata Uluilakeba February 20, 1948 February 20, 2009 Lakalaka (of Taqalevu) [de facto]
Ratu Sitiveni Blue Tikoivavalagi Uluilakeba Unknown Unknown Leba Kiji(of Katubalevu) [de facto]

References

edit
  1. ^ According to Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba (12th Tui Nayau), IV at genie.com, his suffix is "IV".
  2. ^ "Classic tribute" by Samuela Kailawadoko, Fiji Times, 29 November 2016
  3. ^ "Isa Lei (Fijian Farewell Song)" by Wiliame Gucake Nayacatabu, FijianLyrics.com, 25 October 2015
edit