Gagaja
Gagaja [ŋaŋatʃa] is a Rotuman word denoting the position of "Chief" or "Lord". This could be a formal chiefly position in one of the seven districts (gagaj 'es itu'u) or a village chief (fa 'es ho'aga) as well as to anyone else, such as the Chairman of the Rotuma Island Council (Gagaj Jeaman ta) to whom respect and deference is owed based on their own skills and attributes. Unlike in many other Pacific cultures, the official chiefly positions are not allocated according to any strict primogeniture, but rather are elected from all eligible males within certain kạinaga (family or clan groups) to whom the chiefly title belongs.
Chiefs in Rotuma
In modern Rotuma, gagaja is the major traditional leadership position, other than mata or district representatives. Gagaja exist at two levels:
Gagaj 'es itu'u
These are the district chiefs, who represent each of the seven districts on the Rotuma Island Council, the main deliberative body for the island of Rotuma. In addition to these duties, they oversee the day-to-day life of the district, assembling villagers to assist in large projects, which he organises with the consensus given by villagers in village meetings, which he chairs. The district chiefs are ranked, and served kava and food in ceremonial settings in an order dictated by their serving rank. The serving rank is determined by the role they played in the last war. Given that Rotuma hasn't seen any war since the Rotuman Religious Wars, this order hasn't changed since 1878. The order is:
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Pyaare Panchhi Baanhon Mein Gaati Koyal Raahon Mein
by: K JTanda Na Ne Ta Na Ne Aanand Mein 4
Pyaare Panchhi Baanhon Mein Gaati Koyal Raahon Mein
Dharati Pe Yahi To Kushi Hai Apani Duniya Mein Aansu Bhi Nahin Hain
Pyaare Panchhi Baanhon Mein Gaati Koyal Raahon Mein
Dharati Pe Yahi To Kushi Hai Apani Duniya Mein Aansu Bhi Nahin Hain
Chhoti Chhoti Kutiya Mein Svarg Hai Yahaan
Aur Chhote Chhote Dil Mein Bahata Pyaar Ka Ye Jharana
Panchhi Jo Udana Chaahe To Patta Kaahe Ka
Ye Pyaar Hi Kaafi Hai Gori Paisaa Vaisa Kya Karana
Pyaare Panchhi Baanhon Mein Gaati Koyal Raahon Mein
Dharati Pe Yahi To Kushi Hai Apani Duniya Mein Aansu Bhi Nahin Hain
Aasamaanon Mein Aanand Mitti Mein Bhi Hai Aanand
Ye Dharati Chir Ke Ugane Vaale Ankur Mein Aanand
Dhuup Ka Sardi Mein Aanand Nadi Ka Varsha Mein Aanand
Aur Varsha Mein Badale Bhuumi Ke Rangon Mein Aanand
Jivan Ka Ye Aanand Sau Barason Ka Aanand Sajani
Duniya Mein Har Dil Ki Dhadakan Mein Aanand Aanand
Pyaare Panchhi Baanhon Mein Gaati Koyal Raahon Mein
Dharati Pe Yahi To Kushi Hai Apani Duniya Mein Aansu Bhi Nahin Hain
Teri Saanson Mein Rah Ke Dhalati Umar Ka Aanand
Tum Agale Janam Mein Phir Se Milo To Aur Bhi Aanand
Thandi Raaton Mein Tere Badan Ki Garmi Ka Aanand
Aur Jivan Bhar Jo Tumane Diya Hai Jine Ka Aanand
Apanepan Mein Aanand Rishton Mein Bhi Aanand
Chhalake Auron Ki Kaatir Jo Aansu Hain Aanand
(Pyaare Panchhi Baanhon Mein Gaati Koyal Raahon Mein
Dharati Pe Yahi To Kushi Hai Apani Duniya Mein Aansu Bhi Nahin Hain) 2
Chhoti Chhoti Kutiya Mein Svarg Hai Yahaan
Aur Chhote Chhote Dil Mein Bahata Pyaar Ka Ye Jharana
Panchhi Jo Udana Chaahe To Patta Kaahe Ka
Ye Pyaar Hi Kaafi Hai Gori Paisaa Vaisa Kya Karana
Pyaare Panchhi Baanhon Mein Gaati Koyal Raahon Mein
Dharati Pe Yahi To Kushi Hai Apani Duniya Mein Aansu Bhi Nahin Hain