Traditional thanks for Vuda

www.fijitimes.com - Saturday, January 02, 2010

FORMER president Ratu Josefa Iloilo has thanked his people for their loyalty and hard work during 2009.

During the qeti ni vanua o Vuda, a traditional thanksgiving ceremony for his people, Ratu Josefa presented them with six tabua, two slaughtered cattle and five tonnes of dalo.

Members of five yavusa gathered in the chiefly village of Viseisei to receive the gifts given by their paramount chief.

Taukei Sawaieke Ratu Tevita Momoedonu who received the traditional gifts on behalf of all the five yavusa in Vuda said that they were honoured to be under the leadership of Ratu Josefa.

"We are deeply grateful to this token of appreciation," he said.

Ratu Tevita said this was the thirteenth year that Ratu Josefa had accorded them with the traditional thanksgiving ceremony.

"He had been hosting this ceremony since 1997, the year he was installed," he said.

Ratu Tevita said the ceremony was normally held at the end of the year.