1920–2004
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara · 斐济
1920–2004, Fiji's first prime minister (1970–1987, with an interruption) and later president (1993–2000), hailed as the father of modern Fiji.
Born on 6 May 1920 in Lomaloma, Vanua Balavu Island, a hereditary chief of the Lau Islands; he studied successively at the University of Otago, New Zealand, Oxford University, and the London School of Economics; in 1963 he founded the Alliance Party, in 1967 became Fiji's first Chief Minister, after Fiji's independence on 10 October 1970 served as first prime minister, stepped down after the 1987 coup and resumed office the same year, stepped down as prime minister in 1992, and served as president in 1993–2000; he died in Suva on 18 April 2004 and was buried in Tubou, Lakeba.
People & stories
Places in their life
Born in Lomaloma (Lau Islands); places of activity Suva and Lakeba; burial place Tubou, Lakeba.
People
Cultural significance
He led Fiji to peaceful independence and long dominated its politics; the combination of his chiefly identity and Western education background is a key to understanding modern Fijian politics.