Eureka! Thakombau - King of Mbau, Fiji

Delving into the history of Fiji for the last 2 years has born much fruit to my understanding of Fijian culture. When I visited Fiji for two summers, I couldn't understand this island nation's system of employment and the required connection to the land. I am finishing my last two books on Fijian history and customs. I have hit a 'eureka !' moment: I get it.

 I'm so excited to begin writing the first book in the trilogy Native Hope : Ancient. I've always been fascinated with people and what motivates them to action. The Fijian culture is rich in tradition, although very bloody most of the time. Already, I've mapped out the structure of the story and given the main characters their physical attributes, personalities, weaknesses and strengths. My mission is to be very correct in presenting historical periods within the context of the story. That takes a lot of research! It's been fun, though. I see where James Michener, author of Hawaii, gained his knowledge of Polynesian history. I've run into the same information!

The fellow above is a real pencil drawing of Thakombau, King of Mbau/Fiji during the mid to late 1800's. He was the most influential king of all the kings inhabiting eastern Fiji. He was instrumental in negotiating with other kings to allow Fiji to become a territory of Great Britain when it was inevitable that some national superpower would claim Fiji as their own. Although a cannibal most of his life, Thakombau became a Christian in his sunset years through the advice of a Tongan King.

You will be reading a lot about him in the second book of the trilogy: Native Hope - Colonial  !