Lala Mara facts for kids

Ro Lala, Lady Mara (born Litia Cakobau Lalabalavu Katoafutoga Tuisawau) was an important Fijian chief. She was born on January 4, 1931, and passed away on July 20, 2004. She was best known as the wife of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. He is considered the founding father of modern Fiji. Ratu Mara served as the country's Prime Minister and later as its President.

As Fiji's First Lady, Adi Lala played a key role in diplomacy. She often represented her country on trips abroad. People saw her as a strong and very smart woman. Many believed she had a big influence on her husband.

Adi Lala's Family Background

Adi Lala inherited the title of Roko Tui Dreketi from her father, George Tuisawau. This is a very old and respected title. It means she was a traditional ruler of the Burebasaga Confederacy. This area includes several provinces in Fiji, like Rewa and Kadavu.

Her mother, Adi Asenaca Vosailagi, was also a chief. She came from the important Ka Levu clan in Nadroga. The main village for the Burebasaga Confederacy is Lomanikoro in Rewa Province.

A Special Marriage

On September 9, 1950, Adi Lala married Ratu Mara. He later became the Tui Lau and Tui Nayau. These are traditional titles for the ruler of the Lau Islands. Their marriage was very important. It brought together two powerful families in Fiji.

Even though some people were against the marriage, it was a happy one. It lasted for 54 years until Ratu Mara's death in 2004. They had three sons and five daughters. Two of their children became politicians themselves.

Their oldest son, Ratu Finau Mara, was a member of Fiji's Parliament. He also served in the government in the 1990s. Their second daughter, Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau, was also elected to Parliament. She was a Minister and later a Senator. She became Fiji's First Lady in 2009. This was because she married Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who became President.

Adi Lala's Role in Politics

In 1991, Adi Lala helped start a political party called the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT). This party took over from the Alliance Party, which her husband had led. She was a respected voice in the Great Council of Chiefs. This is a very important group of leaders in Fiji. She was known for promoting calm and sensible ideas.

In 2003, Adi Lala spoke out strongly at a meeting of the Great Council of Chiefs. She said that some chiefs were involved in the coup that removed her husband from power in 2000. She called these people "false prophets" who were driven by greed. She urged all chiefs to work for peace and unity among Fiji's many different cultures.

Honoring Adi Lala's Legacy

Adi Lala's younger sister, Ro Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa, took over her title of Roko Tui Dreketi. Ro Teimumu also served as the Minister for Education in Fiji.

A women's group called Soqosoqo Vakamarama i Taukei announced plans to build a statue of Adi Lala. This was in 2005, a year after her death. Adi Lala had founded this group and was its president until she passed away.

A special mourning ceremony for Adi Lala took place in September 2005. It was held in the village of Cuvu, where her mother was from. Many chiefs and people from different parts of Fiji attended. They brought many gifts, like whales' teeth and traditional mats. The ceremony ended with a large feast.

During the ceremony, a chief named Ro Epeli Mataitini spoke about the love and respect people had for Adi Lala. He reminded everyone that it's important to keep the connections between Fiji's different chief families strong. He encouraged young Fijians to learn from the older chiefs. He said that even with political differences, chiefs should value their ties to all the tribes in the nation.