Background History of the people of Uluitova

By Silivinosi Tikoi (Mataqali/Clan Head of 'Nacobogi Clan, Yavusa Naloto, Wainibuka District, Tailevu)
A powerful warrior by the name of 'Natokaibo' departed 'Nakauvadra' with his allies after the great tribal war on 'Nakauvadra'. Some refer to this warrior as 'Rovarovaivalu' and some 'Dradra'. (Continual research is underway to determine the real name or names of this brave warrior, that will be updated on this page soon.)
'Natokaibo' and his men followed the Wainibuka River eastly towards 'Uluitova' mountain where they settled as a tribe. He was referred to as the 'Sau'. He developed allies on his way downstream from villages in the 'Ra' Province to the lower region. As proof of this event, the clan of 'Uluitova' have household connections to these villages today. This is called the 'Sala'.
'Natokaibo' and his men usually journeyed to sea from 'Uluitova' to fish before returning to the mountain peak where his other fellow tribesman lived. With him were his 'Matanivanua', 'Bete' and fellow brothers of a different sub-clan. The people of 'Uluitova' today consists of a Clan or 'Mataqali' i.e. 'Nacobogi' and 2 sub-clans or 'Tokatoka' i.e. 'Natokaibo' and 'Bainitabua'. Today on 'Uluitova' mountain exists 'yavu's or 'bure' foundations that signify the hierarchal structure of 'Komai Uluitova'. There is a stream from 'Uluitova' today called 'Wainiciri' from where 'Dakuwaqa' swam to sea after his birth at 'Uluitova'.
'Komai Uluitova' during one of his fishing trips secured himself a wife from 'Nawaibuta', at the coast of 'Namalata'. The coupling gave birth to sons of 'Komai Uluitova' that departed 'Uluitova' mountain generations after, to settle in strategic lower mountain tops in the region but later grouped and registered as one people of the 'Naloto' Clan, during an exercise carried out by the learned Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna in registering all Fijian people and land under the Native Land Commission and Trust Acts during the Colonial era.

'Natokaibo' : Originated from the word 'Natokaibawa' which was a known cooking banana species. This plant species usually grew on 'Uluitova' mountain.

'Wainibuka' River: Due to the heat of the Nakauvadra war, the river was named after Wai or Water and Buka or Fire.

'Uluitova' Mountain: A high mountain today situated in the Tailevu North District above Nasau Village. This high peak is visible from islands around the eastern division.

'Sau' : meaning magic or 'mana' i.e. loosely translated as meaning magic or power or prestige.

'Sala': meaning path or access.

'Matanivanua' : Or herald. This consisted of a clan whose decendants are currently heralds in Naivicula Village, in Tailevu.
'Bete' : Priests who consulted with the gods, i.e. the 'Rara' Clan.
'Yavu' : Is a foundation on which a building is constructed.
'Bure' : A Fijian thatched roof hut.
'Komai Uluitova' : Is the Chiefly title given to the head of the Uluitova clan.
'Nawaibuta' : Meaning boiled water or sometimes referred to as fish soup. The people of Nawaibuta today belong to the 'Tui Naivakawesi's Clan in the Village of Nailega in Verata, Tailevu Province.
Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, KCMG, KBE (22 April 1888 - 30 May 1958) was a Fijian chief, scholar, soldier, and statesman. He is regarded as the forerunner of the post-independence leadership of Fiji. He did more than anybody to lay the groundwork for self-government by fostering the development of modern institutions in Fiji, and although he died a dozen years before independence from the United Kingdom was achieved in 1970, his vision set the course that Fiji was to follow in the years to come.
Dakuwaqa : In Fijian mythology (specifically: Fiji), Dakuwaqa is a shark-god. He was greatly respected by fishermen because he protected them from any danger at sea and sometimes protected them from evil denizens of the sea. He was once going inland to conquer the island of Kadavu through the river when another god challenged him in the form of an octopus. After a great battle, the octopus won (mainly due to his 8 arms which enabled him to hold off the massive shark god's attack) forcing Dakuwaqa to promise to never attack Kadavu again. That is how Dakuwaqa became the god and protector of Kadavu. Dakuwaqa can also change shape into anything, but his real form is that of a muscular Fijian man with the upper torso of a shark.