Ratu Seru Cakobau
| Seru Epenisa Cakobau | |
|---|---|
| King of Fiji 6th Vunivalu of Bau King of Bau |
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| Reign | 5 June 1871 – 10 October 1874 |
| Successor | Victoria |
| Born | 1815 Natoloa Nairai, Lomaiviti |
| Died | 1883 (aged 67–68) |
| Spouse | Adi Litia Samanunu |
| Issue |
Children by Adi Litia Samanunu: Epeli Nailatikau I Timoci Tavanavanua Josefa Celua Adi Arieta Kuila Adi Kakua Adi Vuikaba Adi Kawanavere |
| Father | Tanoa Visawaqa |
| Mother | Adi Savusavu |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Signature |  |
Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau (pronounced [ˈseru epeˈniːsa ðakomˈbau]; occasionally spelled Cacobau or phonetically Thakombau) (c.1815 – 1 February 1883) was a Fijian Ratu and warlord (Vunivalu) who united part of Fiji's warring tribes under his leadership, establishing a united Fijian kingdom.
He was born to Ratu Tanoa Visawaqa, and one of his nine wives, Adi Savusavu.
The Vunivalu and the Roko Tui Bau (sacred chieftain) had had many power struggles during the course of nearly a century. These struggles led to the death of Seru's paternal uncle, the Vunivalu of Bau, Naulivou Ramatenikutu and the installation of Tanoa as Vunivalu. However, after he slew the Roko Tui Bau, Ratu Raiwalui, near Vanua Balavu, amongst other murders and reprisals, Tanoa was exiled in 1832.
Ratu Seru Cakobau was born on Nairai Island but raised on Gau Island. In his early twenties, he returned to Bau. He subsequently gained power in 1837 when he persuaded the Lasakau people to overthrow the Roko Tui Bau Vuani-ivi clan led by Ratu Ravulo Vakayaliyalo. Seru then reinstated his father as the ruling Vunivalu in Bau.
Mary Wallis provided a description of him after meeting with him on 7 December 1844: "He is tall, rather good looking, appears fully aware of his consequence, and is not destitute of dignity. He wore an enormous quantity of hair on his head, and several yards of native cloth around his body..."
Seru was given the name Cikinovu ("Centipede"), "because he moved silently and struck painfully". Later, he was called Cakobau ("destroyer of Bau"), because he had destroyed what was Bau; but Seru also built a new Bau, under the supremacy of the Vunivalu. After he converted to Christianity, he took additional name of Epenisa (Ebenezer).
On 8 December 1852, Cakobau succeeded as Vunivalu of Bau.
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