Bau chief and former senator the late Adi Litia Qalirea Cakobau will be accorded a chiefly funeral at Raralevu Village, Tailevu, today.
Namata District spokesperson Ratu Jeremaia Sovea Halaiwalu said her last wish was for her to be buried beside her mother, Adi Veniana Gavoka, at the Namata chiefly graveyard (sautabu).
The church service started at 10am.
Ratu Jeremaia said yesterday the Bau high chief’s body was traditionally handed over to the people of Namata from the people of Bau led by the handover was received by the Roko Tui Namata Ratu Paula Halaiwalu.
Soon after the traditional handover, the casket was taken to the chiefly residence to spend the night, Ratu Jeremaia said.
He said preparation started for the funeral soon after the Roko Tui Namata accepted the late chief’s last wish.
Ratu Jeremaia told the Fiji Sun at Raralevu Village on Wednesday that the Namata District youths were divided into groups and given specific tasks to be responsible for during the funeral service and also for when people arrived to pay their last respects.
Adi Litia was the daughter of the late Turaga Na Vunivalu and Governor General Ratu Sir George Kadavulevu Cakobau, with his first wife Adi Gavoka.
Her older sister Adi Samanunu-Cakobau Talakuli died in 2012 and her younger brother Ratu George Kadavulevu Cakobau (Junior) died this year.
Edited by Jonathan Bryce
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