Alifereti Finau Ulugalala

Who was Alifereti Finau Ulugalala?

Ratu Alifereti Finau was the eleventh Roko Sau of Lau and the fifth Tui Nayau. He was the son of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba II and Adi Asenaca Kakua Vuikaba, daughter of the Vunivalu of Bau and self-styled King of Fiji, Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau. He was a member of the noble household Matailakeba.

His father Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba II would have eventually succeeded to the title had it not been for his premature death. As Alifereti Finau was still a minor, the title was succeeded to by his cousin Eroni Loganimoce, Roko Taliai Tupou’s son.

In 1898 with the death of Roko Eroni Loganimoce, Ratu Penaia Kadavulevu, Vunivalu of Bau, went to Lau and made Finau Sau ni Vanua and Tui Nayau ahead of Ratu Salesi Kinikinilau.

It is assumed that a possible reason for Ratu Kadavulevu’s eventual selection was due to the notion of dynastic extensions of power, as Finau was not only a first cousin but also married to his siter, Adi Ateca Moceiwai. Adi Moce as she is commonly referred to, is recorded to have been influential in introducing Bauan standards, manners and protocols in Lakeba which in time became dominant. This marriage between first cousins was not uncommon in Fijian families at the time..