Fakpure
Encyclopedia
The fakpure is variously considered the secular ruler of Rotuma
in the pre-European contact times. It was one of three chiefly roles with direct influence across the island of Rotuma, the other two being the Mua
and the Sau
. Traditionally, the most senior political authority on the island, the fakpure was one of the gagaj ‘es itu’u
of the districts of Rotuma, and the convener of the island’s Council of Chiefs. After being elected as the district chief through the traditional processes (see gagaja
), the position of fakpure was bestowed on the most senior of these district chiefs, usually the chief whose district had won the most recent war, who also received the privilege of being the first served in the politically-charged kava ceremony
.
In the early European writings on Rotuma, (therefore the earliest recorded information on Rotuma, being prior to Western contact, an oral-based culture), the prevailing understanding of the fakpure was that, prior to Western influence, he was convener and presiding officer of the council of district chiefs, and that he was charged with the appointment and maintenance of the sau, ensuring that the sau, as an earthly altar to placate the gods of fertility, was treated lavishly.
Although the conditions in which the fakpure functioned have necessarily changed dramatically, the role of the fakpure, while not strictly existent any more, has been succeeded by the position of the Chair of the Rotuma Island Council
. The district claiming the position of Chair and first precedence in the traditional kava ceremony is, in line with Fijian precepts of chiefdom, the "chiefly" district of Noa’tau
, who led the Wesleyan
alliance, the victors in the Rotuman Religious Wars, the last war on the island which culminated in Rotuma's cession to Great Britain
in 1881.
Rotuma
Rotuma is a Fijian dependency, consisting of Rotuma Island and nearby islets. The island group is home to a small but unique indigenous ethnic group which constitutes a recognizable minority within the population of Fiji, known as "Rotumans"...
in the pre-European contact times. It was one of three chiefly roles with direct influence across the island of Rotuma, the other two being the Mua
MUA
Mua may refer to:* Mua, MalawiMUA may refer to:* Mail user agent, another term for an email client* Make-up artist* Manipulation under anesthesia* Maritime Union of Australia* Marvel: Ultimate Alliance* Medical University of the Americas – Nevis...
and the Sau
Sau (Rotuman king)
Sau, , refers to the role of spiritual leader in pre-Christian Rotuman society. The title was neither primogenitary nor held for a lifetime, but rather was cycled through the chiefs of each of Rotuma’s districts....
. Traditionally, the most senior political authority on the island, the fakpure was one of the gagaj ‘es itu’u
Gagaja
Gagaja is a Rotuman word denoting the position of "Chief" or "Lord". This could be a formal chiefly position in one of the seven districts or a village chief as well as to anyone else, such as the Chairman of the Rotuma Island Council to whom respect and deference is owed based on their own...
of the districts of Rotuma, and the convener of the island’s Council of Chiefs. After being elected as the district chief through the traditional processes (see gagaja
Gagaja
Gagaja is a Rotuman word denoting the position of "Chief" or "Lord". This could be a formal chiefly position in one of the seven districts or a village chief as well as to anyone else, such as the Chairman of the Rotuma Island Council to whom respect and deference is owed based on their own...
), the position of fakpure was bestowed on the most senior of these district chiefs, usually the chief whose district had won the most recent war, who also received the privilege of being the first served in the politically-charged kava ceremony
Kava culture
Kava cultures are the religious and cultural traditions of western Oceania which consume kava. There are similarities in the use of kava between the different cultures, but each one also has its own traditions.-Hawaii:...
.
In the early European writings on Rotuma, (therefore the earliest recorded information on Rotuma, being prior to Western contact, an oral-based culture), the prevailing understanding of the fakpure was that, prior to Western influence, he was convener and presiding officer of the council of district chiefs, and that he was charged with the appointment and maintenance of the sau, ensuring that the sau, as an earthly altar to placate the gods of fertility, was treated lavishly.
Although the conditions in which the fakpure functioned have necessarily changed dramatically, the role of the fakpure, while not strictly existent any more, has been succeeded by the position of the Chair of the Rotuma Island Council
Council of Rotuma
The Council of Rotuma is a municipal body on the island of Rotuma, a Fijian dependency. Owing to the unique character of Rotuma, the powers of this council are greater than those of other municipal bodies in Fiji and in some ways it approximates a legislative body, though it is in every way...
. The district claiming the position of Chair and first precedence in the traditional kava ceremony is, in line with Fijian precepts of chiefdom, the "chiefly" district of Noa’tau
Noa’tau
Noa'tau is one of the seven districts on the island of Rotuma, a dependency of Fiji. It includes the villages of Maragteu and Fekeoko.Noa'tau is the most easterly district on the island...
, who led the Wesleyan
Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma
The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma is the largest Christian denomination in Fiji, with 36.2 percent of the total population at the 1996 census...
alliance, the victors in the Rotuman Religious Wars, the last war on the island which culminated in Rotuma's cession to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
in 1881.
List of title holders
| Order | Reigned | Fakpure |
| 1. | unknown | Raho |
| 2. | unknown | Tokaniua |
| 3. | unknown | Fuge |
| 4. | unknown | Kaurfonua |
| 5. | unknown | Safoak |
| 6. | unknown | Savoiat |
| 7. | unknown | Olil |
| 8. | unknown | Fer |
| 9. | unknown | Tuipurotu |
| 10. | unknown | Tokaniua |
| 11. | unknown | Tuitafaga |
| 12. | unknown | Irava |
| 13. | 1829 - 1838 | Konao |
| 14. | 1838 - 1839 | Solovalu |
| 15. | 1839 - 1852 | Riamkau |
| 16. | 1852 - 1858 | Kausiliafe |
| 17. | 1858 - 1862 | Riamkau |
| 18. | 1862 - ? | Malafu |