28 Jul 2004

Fiji's Lady Lala denied burial next to husband

6:51 am on 28 July 2004

Fiji's former first lady, Adi Lady Lala Mara, has been denied her wish to be buried next to her late husband, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, in Lau.

She passed away last week just three months after the death of Ratu Mara in April.

Chiefs of Ratu Mara's clan in Lau had made a traditional approach to the chiefs of Rewa to be allowed to bury Adi Lady Lala next to her husband in line with her wishes.

But the chiefs of Rewa have turned down the request and decided that Adi Lady Lala should be buried at the chiefly village of Lomanikoro in Rewa from where she originally came.

Adi Lady Lala was Fiji's highest ranking chief with the title of Roko Tui Dreketi of Burebasaga.

The funeral will take place next week.