Tanoa Visawaqa

Ratu Tanoa Visawaqa (pronounced [βisaːˈɰaːŋɡa]) (died on 8 December 1852) was a Fijian Chieftain who held the title 5th Vunivalu of Bau. With Adi Savusavu, one of his nine wives, he was the father of Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, who succeeded in unifying Fiji into a single kingdom.

Ratu Tanoa Visawaqa, by Alfred Thomas Agate, US Exploring Expedition[1]

Installation

The son of Ratu Banuve Baleivavalagi, 3rd Vunivalu of Bau[2] and his second wife, Roko Lewasaki. He was the father of the first Tui Viti, Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, Ratu Tanoa was installed as Vunivalu upon the death of his elder brother Ratu Naulivou Ramatenikutu, who was involved in a fierce power struggle against the Roko Tui Bau, Ratu Raiwalui, which led to his death.

The idea of a Tui Viti was conceived in the reign of Tanoa but saw fruition in the reign of his son Seru.

The Wars of Bau

As the animosity intensified, Ratu Tanoa was forced into exile, firstly on Koro Island and then in Somosomo on Taveuni, where he remained until his son, Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau led a coup in 1837, reinstalling his father as Vunivalu until his death in 1852, whereupon Cakobau inherited the title. He had 9 wives (6 of whom were strangled to death in December 1852);[3] amongst his issue were Ratu Tubuanakoro and Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau.

The Burner of Boats

It was before his exile that Tanoa was named Tanoa "Visawaqa" for his bloody campaign and slaying of the Roko Tui Bau, Ratu Raiwalui, he set fire to the War Canoes of the warriors of the Roko Tui Bau, and was thereafter called Tanoa — "Burner of boats", or figuratively, "excessive killer" — even though Ratu Naulivou sent his brother Tanoa on the mission to punish the Roko Tui Bau and his followers he did not expect the bloodbath that would follow, and Tanoa's actions greatly worried his brother.

Preceded by
Ratu Naulivou Ramatenikutu		 Vunivalu of Bau (1st Term)
1829–1832		 Succeeded by
Navuaka Komainaqaranikula Tui Veikoso
Preceded by
Navuaka Komainaqaranikula Tui Veikoso		 Vunivalu of Bau (2nd Term)
1837–1852		 Succeeded by
Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau

References
  1. Stanton, William (1975). The Great United States Exploring Expedition. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 192. ISBN 0520025571.
  2. Genealogy
  3. Genealogy
  • The Majesty of Colour: A Life of Sir John Bates Thurston - Page 44, by Scarr, Deryck - 1980, reference to Tanoa Visawaqa, his exile and restoration by his son seru.
  • Apologies To Thucydides: Understanding History as Culture and Vice Versa - Page 249, by Marshall David Sahlins, reference to Tanoa and how his name came about.
  • Fiji Handbook of the Colony: Special Wartime Issue - Page 77, by Leonard G Usher - 1943, Original from the University of Michigan. numerous references to Ratu Tanoa along with various details of his life and conquests


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