IDNO

P.99780.VH

Description

F.H. Dufty photograph of the house of Yadi Arieta Kuila, widow of Ratu Timoce Vakaruru, Qaranivalu of Naitasiri, at Navuso, Naitasiri, on the Wailevu or Rewa River, a few miles upstream of Nausori. Yadi Kuila was a daughter of Ratu Seru Cakobau, Vunivalu of Bau, and a close friend and foster nau (literally “mummy”) of Baron von Hugel when he was in Fiji in 1875-77. The tall stepped mound of the yavu, faced in this case with slabs of black balabala or tree fern (Cyathea lunulata) trunk instead of stone, and the cleated ramps leading up to the multiple doorways proclaim this as a place of high spiritual status and authority. The Armed Native Constabulary sentry standing outside suggests that Walter Carew, the commissioner for Colo, may be conducting a meeting inside.
1875 - 1876. [Fergus Clunie, 14/7/2003]

Physical Condition: Print mounted onto card.

Place

Oceania Polynesia; Fiji; Viti Levu; Rewa River; Naitasiri; Navuso

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Yadi Arieta Kuila; Ratu Timothi (Timoci, Timoce) Vakaruru (b.1832 - d.1972); ?Walter Carew

Photographer

Dufty, Francis Herbert (Dufty Brothers, Levuka)

Collector / Expedition

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Date

circa 1875 - 1876

Collection Name

von Hügel Collection

Source

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Format

Print Black & White Mounted

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.99759.VH to P.99825.VH were in the belted folder now numbered C539/2/. This was formerly kept in paper archive Large Box G; VH1/4/5. It has now been transferred to the photo archive. The lists describing the contents of this box have been returned to the Paper Archive.

Related Image: This print or negative appears to be a unique image within the MAA Photograph Collections. [JD 9/1/2012]

This print has been catalogued with the support of the Getty Grant Fund. [A. Nadin, 4/9/2003]