Battles & Campaigns · 1874
Deed of Cession of Fiji
Nasova, Levuka, Ovalau, Fiji
What happened
King Seru Epenisa Cakobau and other Fijian chiefs signed Fiji over to the British Crown. Cakobau had united much of Fiji and ruled from Levuka, but he faced a large debt demanded by the United States that he could not pay. Fearing an American takeover, he chose to give Fiji to Britain. At Nasova, at the southern end of Levuka, the Deed of Cession was signed.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Fiji became a British colony. Cakobau gave his war club to Queen Victoria as part of the handover.
What came next
Levuka stayed the capital until 1877, when it moved to Suva. Cakobau kept his chiefly title as Vunivalu of Bau.
Did you know?
Levuka, Fiji's old colonial capital, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
Timeline
- 5 June 1871Cakobau is recognised as King of Fiji.
- 10 October 1874The Deed of Cession is signed.
- 1877The capital moves to Suva.
- 1 February 1883Cakobau dies.