The Untold Legacy of the First Woman in Fiji's Council of Chiefs

By Jane Vavaitamana Gerard

In 1876, two years after Fiji was ceded to Great Britain, a council was established for the sole purpose of being an advisory body to British Colonial rulers; this was named Bose Levu Vakaturaga or the Great Council of Chiefs as it is more widely known today. 

89 years of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga being a male dominated Council, history was made when a woman chief was allowed to become a member of the Council for the first time. Adi Maraia Pickering Mataitini daughter of the Vunivalu of Rewa was elected by the Soqosoqo Vakamarama at the age of 43, to be an integral voice for our Fijian women amongst great men that led in their respective corners of the country. Ro Maraia was a strong advocate on women being included in decisions concerning the country, aswell as its by-laws and was known for her tenacity, unfaltering perseverance and her adherence to the people of Fiji. 

However, I have the honour of calling this brilliant woman my Nau (Grandmother) and have only ever heard stories of a woman way ahead of her time and in some instances, a woman that was incredibly imperturbable. My father Ratu Eroni Vavaitamana; her son, would recall stories of her and her older sister Ro Vokili, who I am proudly named after, being the club bouncers at their village bar events, a story he would never get weary of replaying at the dinner table, with glistening eyes he would reminisce on times where his Warrioress single mother balanced out Council meetings and being present at his rugby matches, a sacrifice he would forever cherish as he grew older.

I however, had the unfortunate misfortune of never being able to meet her. Nonetheless, much like how storytelling has preserved numerous legends and traditions in our Pasifika culture, I find refuge in knowing that the accomplishments of my Nau will never be buried in history books but shall live on in stories shared around a Tanoa, a dinner table or a story  blog on the internet much like the one you’re reading now.

Adi Maraia Pickering Mataitini paved the way for our future female leaders, not only in Fiji but our Pacific region as a whole, she has taught me to be steadfast in the face of adversity and never conform to stances that may have been standardised in society, with that I celebrate her memory and the legacy she has left behind this Women’s Day.