Josefa Lalabalavu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ratu Josefa Lalabalavu |
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| 9th Tui Cakau Paramount Chief of Cakaudrove Province Fiji |
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| Born | 1860 Somosomo, Taveuni, Fiji |
| Died | 10 June 1905 Somosomo, Taveuni, Fiji |
| Spouse | 1. Adi Furi 2. Tupou Moheofo |
| Father | Ratu Goleanavanua |
| Mother | Adi Elenoa Mila |
Ratu Josefa Lalabalavu (1860 – 1905) was a very important leader in Fiji. From 1879 until 1905, he held the title of the 9th Tui Cakau. This meant he was the Paramount Chief of the Cakaudrove Province in Fiji. He was the son of Ratu Goleanavanua.
His Early Life
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Ratu Josefa Lalabalavu was born in 1860. His birthplace was Somosomo, a village on the island of Taveuni in Fiji. His parents were Ratu Goleanavanua and Adi Elenoa Mila. His father was the 8th Tui Cakau before him.
When his father was very ill, young Lalabalavu was looked after by Sir John Bates Thurston. Sir John was an important British official in Fiji at that time.
Like some other young Fijian leaders, Lalabalavu went to school in Australia. In 1874, he enrolled at Newington College in Sydney, Australia. After finishing his studies there, he returned to Fiji. He continued to live with Sir John Thurston's family.
Becoming a Chief
Ratu Josefa Lalabalavu officially became the Tui Cakau in August 1880. This was a very important ceremony. The Governor of Fiji, Arthur Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Baron Stanmore, was there to witness it. Newspapers like the Fiji Times and The Sydney Morning Herald reported on this big event.
His Later Years
Ratu Josefa Lalabalavu was known for having a modern outlook. In July 1879, he visited Sir William Clarke, 1st Baronet in Melbourne, Australia. A newspaper called The Australasian wrote about him. It said that he had started wearing English clothes. His way of life and his interests were also very English.
Even though he adopted some European customs, his people still respected him greatly. He was known to be very knowledgeable. People found his conversations interesting, especially when he talked about the plants of Fiji.
He maintained two homes in Fiji. One was a traditional Fijian house in Somosomo village. His wife, who was the daughter of a Tongan chief, lived there with their family. He also had a wooden house with wide porches. This house was where he welcomed his European guests.
