Somosomo

Somosomo (Fijian pronunciation: [somosomo]) is a chiefly village in Taveuni, which is the island where the International Date Line crosses on land in Fiji. This island is part of the Cakaudrove Province and the holders of the title of Tui Cakau,[2] the Paramount Chief of the Tovata Confederacy, are historically and traditionally linked to this village.

View of the house enclosing the grave of Rev. William Cross, and the principal heathen temple, at Somosomo, Feejee (IV, November 1847, p.120)[1]

The island was visited by the US Exploring Expedition in 1840.[3]

In 1873, work commenced on a double-canoe called Ramarama at Somosomo, which was 99 feet (30 m) in length with a crew of 50 paddlers, although the vessel could carry an additional 200 warriors.[4] Her steer oars were 34 feet (10 m).[4] The builders included Manase Gauamo, an expert Tongan canoe maker, who worked for five years to complete Ramarama.[4] The double-canoe was built for the Tui Cakau, who later gave Ramarama to Seru Epenisa Cakobau. The double-canoe made three voyages to Tonga.[4]

Famous persons from Somosomo

Fiji's first President, Penaia Ganilau, was Tui Cakau and therefore a native of Somosomo.[5]

Chief Komaibatiniwai was from the noble family of Somosomo.

Rugby league player Semi Radradra hails from the village.[6]

Mythology

According to the myth, god who ruled over this village is Qurai.[7] There is a short discussion of traditional religion as practiced on Somosomo in J. G. Frazer's famous work, The Golden Bough.[8] Frazer describes belief in a continuity of divine nature between humans and deities, in which certain priests and chiefs were considered to be "sacred persons."

Notes
  1. "View of the house enclosing the grave of Rev. William Cross, and the principal heathen temple, at Somosomo, Feejee". Wesleyan Juvenile Offering. IV: 120. November 1847. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  2. Somosomo
  3. Stanton, William (1975). The Great United States Exploring Expedition. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 211. ISBN 0520025571.
  4. "When Tonga Built Great Canoes". XI(9) Pacific Islands Monthly. 16 April 1941. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  5. Obituary: Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
  6. Adrian Proszenko (25 June 2016). "Semi Radradra wants to emulate Sonny Bill Williams, says NRL star's former partner". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  7. Myths and legends of Fiji and Rotuma
  8. Fraser, Golden Bough, Macmillan 1894, p. 39.

16.803226°S 179.998455°W / -16.803226; -179.998455

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