Battle of Kaba

Battle of Kaba
Part of Fijian Civil War
File:Kaba Island.png Kaba Island seen from above.
Date April 7th, 1855 Location Kaba, Fiji 18.136768°S 177.407994°E / -18.136768; 177.407994 Result Fijian-Tongan Victory
Belligerents
Fiji Tonga	Rewa Province Bau
Commanders and leaders
Cakobau Taufa'ahau Enele Ma'afu	Mara
Strength
1,000 2,000	500
Casualties and losses
Unknown 21 killed, 20 wounded	200 killed, 200 captured

The Battle of Kaba was fought at Kaba, Fiji, in 1855 between self proclaimed Fijian Tui Viti (King) Cakobau and his enemies from Rewa and Bau. Cakobau was supported by a strong fleet from Tonga, sent by Tu'i Tonga (King) Taufa'ahau (George I) of Tonga and Enele Ma'afu, governor of the Tongan population in Fiji. The battle was a major victory for Cakobau, thanks mainly to his Tongan allies, and cemented his leadership over Fiji. It also, however, underlined his dependency on the military power of Tonga, especially since Ma'afu remained in Fiji.

Battle

Ratu Mara and his men took up position on the promontories of the small island of Kaba. Cakobau and his alliance landed on the Island during the early hours of the 7th of April. Some of Cokabau's men had firearms which they had traded to American sailors for in return for rice wine. Cokabau's men annihilated Mara's, who broke after less than an hour of fighting. 200 of Mara's men were killed, and another 200 were captured. To show his kindness, Cokobau let the prisoners go. Mara fled to Levuka where he was soon captured and hanged.

Sources

• Huffer, Elise, Grands Hommes et Petites Îles: La Politique Extérieure de Fidji, de Tonga et du Vanuatu, Paris: Orstom, 1993, ISBN 2-7099-1125-6
• Historical timeline, Fiji Government Online Portal