A recommendation by the Great Council of Chiefs taskforce for national reconciliation amongst chiefs in the 14 provinces is deemed as a way forward for Fiji.
Taskforce chairman Ratu Josateki Nawalowalo explained that reconciliation amongst chiefs is long over due.
“That’s one of the major factors that are affecting the Fijian society today as most of the chiefs tend to have that superiority complex over the other even if they are from the same province and of similar status.”
“We don’t even have unity in our chiefly system so how do we expect to have unity amongst the common people.
“This is the only way forward and we are hoping to have this at the first meeting in June where the chiefs are expected to come together and reconcile their differences,” he said.
Fijilive
Reader Comments
Posted Comments
Posted
By: Avaka Posted On:May 09 2008 00:46:20
Comment:
Chiefs in Fiji have always had their divisions but so have leaders in all other communities in Fiji. One thing is certain though, the real GCC and the Fijian race are totally united in opposing the interim regime. Furthermore, the notion of trying to reconcile people is silly when the people you represent are causing major divisions within the community because of this unfortunate coup.
Comment:
What evidence is there that the chiefs even have 'differences' which need to be reconciled? The idea of uniformity of the chiefly system is a bastardisation of Western socialism, and nothing to do with traditional Fijian values. This is another example of the regime trying to force its will on the people of Fiji, without transparency, accountability or the mandate of the people.
Posted
By: longs Posted On:May 09 2008 14:50:38
Comment:
If one knows his or her tokatoka & mataqali in the Fijian community then you should know where you stand. Unless there are 'wannabes' in society 'who wants to be somebody' in trying to overrule when you are way down the line. There is no need for chiefs to reconcile at the GCC because they clearly know where each one them stands.
Comment:
Past precedents through unforeseen circumstances and sometimes the mischievous use of power have in the past (and before this interim government) obscured the rightful ownership to chiefly titles. This is evident in ongoing challenges to chiefly titles similar to that of Tui Labasa and before that the Tui Cakau. An unfortunate consequence of those challenges are that villages/peoples/mataqali loyalties are divided with some even ending in violence and bloodshed. The Vunivalu title remains unfilled for over a decade now and with three coups to our sad history. And it is not because there is no one to fill the position, but a clash between precedent and prescribed traditional ownership. It is very very important that these positions are filled because of the heirarchical structures of Fijian society, values and beliefs. Perhaps it is timely that ownership to rightful titles is revisited by the GCC, which should also dictate the appropriate composition of this honorable body. That requires open and honest consultation and reconcilitation amongst the chiefs themselves. And if reconciliation amongst chiefs is not the answer then it must be a naive and stupid question.
