The life and work of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna

Abstract

Ratu Josefa Lalabalavu Vanayaliyali Sukuna was born on April 22, 1888 in the small but histori island of Bau. His early childhood, however, was not spent entirely on this island for his father Ratu Jone Madraiwiwi, also nephew to the legendary Cakobau (pronounced Thakombau), though a native of Bau himself, was, by reason of historic family feud, regarded as an alien. This account of Ratu Jone's life has no substantiation in documents. The conclusion reached here is the result of evidence collected verbally from several contemporaries of Ratu Jone. Of these the most reliable was that given by the late Ratu Saimone Dobui (pronounced Dombui). Furthermore, his official duties as Roko Traditionally the 'Roko' meant a high chief of a tribe. After Cession it became a statutory post with jurisdiction over newly created administrative units called provinces of Ra and subsequently of Ba (pronounced Mba) and Tailevu provinces kept him away from Bau.