Fiji Times - Monday, March 07, 2011
Lali craftsman Apakuki Malokeivuna, right, with his uncle Ro Cavasiga Raicebe in front of the lali that was crafted specifically for the new church in Sawani. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU
WHEN the new church was in the process of being built, Apakuki Malokeivuna, wanted to make a contribution.
And a significant one he made a lali, a hollowed-out portion of a tree stem, used by village churches to "call" people to worship.
Working for the Public Works Department, Mr Malokeivuna was one of the staff dispatched to Lomaloma, Vanuabalavu in the Lau Group, for the construction of the nurses' quarters.
Mr Malokeivuna then merely took advantage of being in the vicinity of a people, renowned for their prowess in wood carving.
"Some of my family members helped me to raise money for the lali," he said.
"One day I took a boat ride to Susui. There I asked them if they could make a lali for our church."
Mr Malokeivuna arrived at the Suva docks with the lali, crafted from a single stem of vesi wood.
"I arrived here on December 23 when we finished our work with the lali," he said.
"The lali was so heavy that it took 14 men to carry.
"I think the lali is good because it will be used by the congregation, each time we have a church service."
Sawani circuit minister Reverend Tomasi Vula said traditionally, the lali was used by chiefs to call his people to meet.
"Since Christianity, we have used the lali as a means of calling the people to worship," he said
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