1848 TO 1874

Ma’afu and the Battle of Kaba

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What we know

  • In 1855, at the Battle of Kaba, Cakobau defeated his rivals with help from King George Tupou I of Tonga.
  • The Tongan chief Enele Ma’afu became the dominant power in Lau and took the title Tui Lau.

The story

In 1855, forces led by Tonga’s King George Tupou I helped Cakobau prevail at Kaba. Their intervention shows how military and religious relationships crossed the sea.

Enele Ma’afu built a powerful position in Lau. His interests could intersect with Cakobau’s without being identical to them. Describing Tongans simply as enemies of Bau misses the shifting combination of support, competition and regional ambition.

Pictures in this chapter

Sources

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This chapter’s text is awaiting cultural and historical review. Pictures keep the credit and licence of the collection that holds them.