Fiji Heads

Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Heads of State and Chiefly Families in  Fiji
(Female suffrage ((1929) 1962)) British Colony 1874-1970, Independent 1970 and a Republic in 1987 

See also Fiji Ministers and Fiji Parliament

About 1950-? Adi Asenaca Vosailagi, Paramount Chieftainess of the chiefly Ka Levu clan of Nadroga

1961-2004 The Marama na Roko Tui Dreketi, Paramount Chiefess of Rewa and Traditional Head of Burebasaga Confederacy Ro Lady Litia Cakobau Lalabalavu Kaloafutoga Tuisawau Mara (Ro Lady Lala Mara)
The confederacy covers Rewa, Nadroga, Serua, the Island of Kadavu and Parts of Ba and Ra.
1950 married to Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, The Tui Lau, Tui Nayan and Tevita Uluilakeba, the Traditional Head of the Confederation of Touata Tribes (d. 2004), Prime Minister and President of Fiji. Around 1993 Co-Leader of Fijian Political Party and later Chairperson of the Provincial Council of Rewa. Succeeded her father, George Cokanauto Tuisawau (1904-61) as Roko Tui Dreketi. Her mother, Adi Asenaca Vosailagi was Paramount Chieftainess of the chiefly Ka Levu clan of Nadroga. She was Paramount Chief and Radi Ni Nayau, and after her death, she is known as the Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi and was succeeded by sister. She was mother of 8 chidlren, and lived (1931-2004).

1970-87 Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Fiji and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of The Commonwealth (10.10-10.10)
She was deposed after a military coup at 10th of October 1987. She resigned five days later. She had been Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since 1952. (b.1926-)


Circa 1977-2001 Bulou Eta Kacalini Vosailagi, The Tui Nakoro of Nadroga Navosa
She was one of the highest ranking Paramount Chiefs in the country. Unmarried and lived (1914-2001)

1979-2005 Bulou Salote Sorovi Vavaitamana, Tui Ono
Her full title was
Bukatatanoa na Marama na Tui Oneata , and she was the first female chief on the island of Kadavu after the death of her uncle, Ratu ilitomasi Verenakadavu, whom she was chosen to succeed despite being only the third eldest of five sisters and a brother. (b. before 1925-2005).

1989-2012 Hon. Adi Samanunu Cakobau Talakuli, High Chiefess of Tailevu
Minister of Fijian Affairs and Regional Development, Chairperson of Great Council of Chiefs 1994-95. In 1997 in question as Vice-President of the Republic, Ambassador to Malaysia, Thailand and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific 1999-2000. and from 2000 Chairman of the Bose ni Turagua (Council of Chiefs). She is the eldest child of Ratu Sir George Cakobau, Vunivalu of Bau (High Chief/King). The Bose ni Turagua is the Council of Chief (200 junior chiefs, Heads of Yaunsa) which meets in times of crises. During the coups d’etat in 1987 and 2000. The council nominated her for the post of Minister of Culture and Ethnic affairs, but she was not appointed to the post. Later in the turbulent events the leader of the coup, Georges Speight, wanted her as Prime Minister. She is daughter of Ratu Sir George Kadavulevu Cakobau, the Vunivalu of Bau, Traditional Head of the Kubuna Confederacy and Governor General of Fiji 1973-83. He lived (1912-89). She lived (1940-2012)

1989-2004 Adi Sainimili Cagilaba, The Marama na Tui Ba
The Paramount Chiefess Adi Sainimili was head of one of the former royal families (also The Marama Kai Ba?) A nurse by profession, the late Tui Ba retired early to take up the chiefly role as Tui Ba on February 24, 1989. She was a Justice of Peace, succeeded by sister in 2005, and lived (1936-2004).

1998-
2004 Hon Chief Adi Kuini Teimumu Vuikaba Speed,
Tui Noikoro of Navosa
From 1989-91 Leader of Fiji Labour Party, 1995 Leader of Fiji Labour National Federation, 1995-98 Vice-President of Fijian Association Party, 1998
-2002 Party Leader. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Fijian Affairs 1999-2000. She was widow of the former Prime Minister Dr. Timoci Bavadra who died in 1989 and later remarried. She succeeded her father, Ratu Aseri Qoro Latianara, the Tui Nokoro and Roko Tui Naitasiri until 1977, as Paramount Chief of Navosa in 1998 (Her father lived 1924-98) Married three times and mother of two sons and two daughters daughter, and lived (1949-2004).

?-2002-  Marama Roko Tui Waimaro Adi Pateresia Vonokula
Member of the House of Chiefs from 2002.

2004- Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa of Vunivalu, Head of the Burebasaga Confederacy
Also known as
Ro Teimumu Vuikaba Tuisawau-Kepa, she succeeded her sister Adi Lala to the chiefly title of Rewa High chief and Marama Bale na roko Tui Dreketi (Burebasaga na Gone Marama na Roko Tui Dreketi na Vunivalu). She was Interim Minister of Women, Culture and Social Welfare 2000-01 and has been Minister of Education since 2001. Chairperson of the Provincial Council of Rewa in 2005 in succession to her sister. Leader of Social Democratic Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition 2014-16. (b. 1945-)

2005- Marama Tui Ba Adi Laite Kotomaiwasa of the Vanua Nawaiviluri
She was identified in late 2005 and was installed in April 2005. She is the only surviving sister of Tui Ba Adi Seinimili Cagilaba (the late Marama Na Tui Ba), who died in January 2004. Vanua means "region".

Before 2006- Adi Joana Rokomatu, Tui Sigatoka
She has worked closely with the Sigatoka Town Council to promote development projects, as well as efforts to beautify the town. She also hosts the Nadroga rugby team, providing them with meals. She arranges church services for the rugby team on Friday nights whenever they are in town.

2006- Adi Salaseini Tuilomaloma Ritova Qomate, Tui Labasa
She was declared as successor of her brother, who died in 2002, by the Native Lands Commission. (b. 1930-).


2006 Nominated as Tui Vitogo Adi Makereta Rokotuidruma
She was nominated to the title after the death of her brother, Ratu Jovesa Daurua Sovasova, but instead her other brother, Ratu Viliame Ratudale Sovasova, was installed with the title.

 

Last update 14.01.17