CHIEF LAID TO REST
Repeka Nasiko
Sunday, December 15, 2013
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/3/0/23301720/924243.jpg?166)
Tui Tavua Ratu Jale Weisele Kuwe Ratu passed near Tavualevu Village yesterday. Hundreds of people gathered inside Tavualevu Methodist Church to say final goodbyes to their beloved chief. His coffin was covered with brightly colored, woven mats and carried through a sea of mourners. The man who spoke at the service explained the chief heard the call of his people despite living in the United States for more than ten years. Tui Tavua sacrificed his work in the US by taking up the responsibility that came with accepting the chief title.
My reaction is mainly surprised at the fact that so many people showed up to the funeral. This man touched the lives of so many people and the impact he made on his country is incredible. It was humbling to learn about Tui Tavua's attitude about his life on Earth, and how he sacrificed everything in America to serve his government in his homeland. This truly speaks volumes about his character and the attachment he feels for his county.
Politically, I think it shows how unified the people of Fiji are. Considering the fact that Tui Tavua picked up everything he had, worked for, and earned, to serve and be apart of his home country. This shows that the leaders take their work to a personal level, and have deep roots in the land in which they were raised. Since more than 200 people arrived at the funeral of the chief, I think Ratu was a highly respected figure and made every effort to reach out to the people around him in his village. This also shows how connected these people were to their leader, and made it a priority to attend his funeral and show pay their respect. To me, the country of Fiji treats their leaders more like brothers than power-figures.
My reaction is mainly surprised at the fact that so many people showed up to the funeral. This man touched the lives of so many people and the impact he made on his country is incredible. It was humbling to learn about Tui Tavua's attitude about his life on Earth, and how he sacrificed everything in America to serve his government in his homeland. This truly speaks volumes about his character and the attachment he feels for his county.
Politically, I think it shows how unified the people of Fiji are. Considering the fact that Tui Tavua picked up everything he had, worked for, and earned, to serve and be apart of his home country. This shows that the leaders take their work to a personal level, and have deep roots in the land in which they were raised. Since more than 200 people arrived at the funeral of the chief, I think Ratu was a highly respected figure and made every effort to reach out to the people around him in his village. This also shows how connected these people were to their leader, and made it a priority to attend his funeral and show pay their respect. To me, the country of Fiji treats their leaders more like brothers than power-figures.