Monday, October 24, 2011

Mystery of the Vatu Vola

Fiji Times

by Anare Ravula

HIGH and deep into the Dakuniba mountain forest located on the east of Savusavu on the southern coast Vanua Levu, lies a mysterious rock with strange carvings. A joke? Not according to what I and others have witnessed.

This fascinating journey took place so I could gather stories from the village elders, but this one still remains an unsolved mystery today.

It all began a few years ago after hearing stories from 85-year-old Natewa man. Ratu Semisi Bukayaro who witnessed the findings of pure kerosene in some kind of a pond beside the village of Dakuniba in the 1950s.

"Villagers filled their kerosene but then it suddenly disappeared during low tide never to be seen again, " Ratu Semisi had said. According to him, the village elders say it disappeared because it wasn't the right time yet for it to be revealed ("se bera na kena gauna"). Dakuniba itself is within the vanua of Mabuco with traditional links to the Tui Cakau.

I asked villager elder, Josua Tamaiqarikula, aged 74, on what Mabuco meant. He said "mabu" means semi-covered and "co" means grass. "This is a sacred place and there's a lot that's yet to be discovered here in the village and up there in the mountains, but it's not the right time yet," he said. Tamaiqarikula said, he was born at Dakuniba village and holds the leadership position to date, but is yet to be traditionally installed.

Sitting with him for a couple of hours, I listened as he reminisced on stories of his forefathers and village elders told when he was just a boy. "A pool of kerosene was found here twice but then it disappeared again and also up there in the mountains are some rock carvings which we believe indicates where we orginated from," he said.

Rock carvings? Now this revelation interested me, especially after having a few bowls of strong waka from the presentation of sevusevu early on that Sunday morning. Tamaiqarikula said the rock carvings could have been more than 300 years-old because the villagers don't have any proper memory of the purpose of the rock carving itself. With the strong mix of yaqona slowly kicking in, I interrupted the village elder, asking for permission to see the rock carvings myself to which Tamaiqarikula and Inoke Duru, aged 68, both agreed.

Walking across the village lawn, I was excited. This was what I had been looking for, for so long - actually since I started searching for ancient writings in caves within the dense forest of the Nakauvadra range from 2008 to this year. Could this be a link to the unusual writings in one of the caves that was seen by Narara villager Kemueli Penisoni, aged 63, during one of his pig hunts some 33 years ago.

He was awe-struck when he made the discovery but he never got to see the cave again.

But Duru said with stories passed down from their ancestors, they had brought the rock carving or the Vatu Vola with them from Verata in Tailevu. "We are from Verata and we were brought here by Vueti the warrior," he confirmed.

Is it Vueti, the son of Paula from Motoriki whose mother is Buisavulu the only daughter of Lutunasobasoba? Biusavulu is the sister of Rokomautu, the chief of Verata. It could be fitting if it was Roko Ratu from Verata, asking Vueti to accompany them to seek land in Cakaudrove. He said their ancestors carried the rock carving up to the hill to be hidden from the outside intruders who might be searching for it. They treasured the rock carvings as it held something very special to them. "The rock carving holds a lot of mystery that is linked with our land and the people itself," he said

Close to the mountain top, I came across the rock carving - it was broken into big pieces with symbols engraved on it as deep as half an inch. Some of the stones lie flat with carvings facing upwards. The engraved rock of Dakuniba symbolizes an advanced race of man, who dealt with time. The villagers believed the carvings tell the story of a race of mankind during the migration period.

In one of the publication about Dakuniba, Professor of Oceanic Geoscience and Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of the South Pacific Patrick Nunn mentioned that the rock carving site was quite unique to be found deep in the forest of the Dakuniba mountain. The villagers said the inscribed rocks was first reported by some foreigners who tried to raise up the flat huge rock with carvings engraved in it. But upon visiting next morning the rock had crumbled due to its weight.

Now, the villagers however have other ideas. They still maintain that the time is not right for the mystery to unfold.

"Then, when will everything about this mysterious mountain be revealed?" I asked.

"E na qai tukuna ga o gauna," (Only time will tell)," was the reply from Duru.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Tailevu Clan Invests in Ginger

Fiji Times News - 30 September 2011
by Timoci Vula

Nasaumua Village Children at play

MEMBERS of a landowning unit at Naisaumua Village in Tailevu have ventured into ginger farming as it seeks alternative income sources to support them meet church and daily obligations.

The landowning unit (mataqali) Dravolau is working towards a three-year plan to focus on their ginger farm project with proceeds anticipated to be of great benefit to the members.

Mataqali member Ratu Veni Verebasaga said the idea was born out of concerns of meeting church obligations, in particular the annual contribution of members.

"We have seen that our clan members have faced great difficulty to pay their soli so we came up with the idea to set up a ginger farm, which is now a part of our three-year plan," Ratu Veni said.

"We have planted the ginger already and now we will look after it as we wait for our first harvest in February next year. This is the first time we are doing this," he said.

Ratu Veni has also taken up lessons with farmers from the greater Tailevu south region who have been involved in ginger planting over the past years.

"We have also come to understand that the ginger business is very lucrative so we have decided to venture into it.

"It will benefit our families greatly, particularly in meeting our religious obligations but also that of the vanua and our livelihoods," he said.

Ratu Veni said planting materials were brought from Maumi in Tailevu.

CLICK HERE FOR A PREVIOUS STORY ABOUT NASAUMUA VILLAGE!

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Fijian View About Citizenship

Fiji Times News - 30 September 2011

ITaukei view on citizenry

by Shalveen Chand

Fijian Men forced to be labelled as Itaukei by illegal regime

SOME iTaukei people believe that only those registered under the Vola ni Kawa Bula (iTaukei registry) are legal citizens of Fiji, a workshop on good governance and human rights was told yesterday.

The Citizens Constitutional Forum workshop targeting the provinces of Tailevu, Naitasiri and Ra with awareness programs to change attitudes on issues of good governance, human rights and citizenship was attended by provincial administrators of the three provinces.

During a group presentation, it was disclosed that ethno-supremacy still existed in the provinces and there was still much to be done to change the attitudes of people.

A baseline report done by CCF said there were common misconceptions regarding citizenships.

The report also revealed that when questions were put to the control group on citizenship, a large number believe that only the iTaukei are Fijians.

During group discussions issues such as governance were highlighted where the group members said the iTaukei community would not consult government officials readily for advice.

The report said there continued to be a high level of misunderstanding and prevailing ethno-supremist attitudes about citizenship.

CCF chief executive Reverend Akuila Yabaki said the baseline survey revealed significant ground had been made through the advocacy program to change attitudes on issues of good governance, human rights and citizenship.

Titled Scratching the Surface, the baseline survey was designed to look at the effects of human rights, good governance and citizenship workshops in the communities.

"Research results are mixed but basically validate the need for continued advocacy on the three issues in order to build an inclusive society which acts responsibly and recognises the rights of all," said Mr Yabaki.

"The comprehensive research, funded by the UNDP Pacific Centre for Strengthening Capacities for Peace and Development Small Grants, also shows, however, that many strong views remain on a perceived special status for the iTaukei."

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Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Fiji and its China Connection

by Ratu Tevita Mara - 06 September 2011

Truth for Fiji

The Fiji problem is being viewed by all as purely a political matter. From my perspective however, as a former Fiji Senior Military Officer, it also has pertinent security and defence implications and applications for the South Pacific Region, and particularly for Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America.

The Cuban Relevance

If we look at history and to what happened in Cuba then we should be able to benefit from its lessons. Cuba’s situation is very similar to what is happening in Fiji.

Like Fiji, it began with a revolution. In January 1959 Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban Government of President Fulgencia Batista. Today, some 52 years later, Castro has stepped aside because of health reasons, and his brother Raul is now President.

Fidel, in the early years, like the murderer Bainimarama, also spoke of elections to return the country to democracy. It did not happen, it has not happened and it will not happen. Cuba was expelled from the regional Organisation of American States and the United States severed relations with it. Too late, way too late, there was a US sponsored Bay of Pigs invasion but it failed. In the meantime, the vacuum created by the US’s stand-off, led to the then Soviet Union moving in to Cuba and controlling it.

Cuba then began to reach out to the countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, the same as Fiji is going with the MSG countries and some Polynesian countries. It led to the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union. As other Caribbean countries fell under the influence of Cuba, the US invaded Grenada and removed the pro-Cuba government. We can avoid a similar situation if we act now.

China

But history has a nasty habit of repeating itself. China, recognizing an opportunity from the coup in Fiji to expand its power of influence and to make the Pacific Island Countries geo-political, and a possible Sphere of Influence, acted quickly. It expanded its influence over Fiji with speed. So why didn’t Australia, New Zealand or the US do the same?.........this is for another statement.

No criticism is being levelled against China. The PRC is acting in pursuit of its national interests, which dictates its foreign policy.

The murderer and military Junta ruler Voreqe Bainimarama became a close friend, ally and collaborator of China. The PRC lavished attention, huge financial grants, excessive loans, private sector investments, and most important and relevant, Military Training and the supply of military material. Fiji is now a “satellite” of China. This situation is a carbon copy of the Soviet Union and Cuba.

China, with Fiji’s illegal Chairmanship of the MSG, expanded its relations with MSG countries. In July 2010, China participated in the MSG Summit post-dialogue at the Fiji Inter-Continental Hotel in Nadi. It also participates in the Donors’ Conference at Pacific Island Forum Meetings. China also engages with some Polynesian countries and is also one of the most influential countries in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Under the influence of China, Fiji joined NAM.

This situation is certainly not in the national interest of Australia and New Zealand and its regional foreign policy. Both South Pacific powers need to act condignly, purposefully and effectively to bring an early end to the Fiji military Junta led by the murderer Bainimarama. The Fiji problem does not inhere with China. China saw an opportunity and grasped it with both hands. The problem lies with the Fiji military Junta and Fiji’s true enemy, the murderer Bainimarama.

The ANZAC powers should not only be concerned but must also act to bring about the collapse of the Fiji Military Junta, as soon as possible. They should be informed by the Cuban Revolution, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Castro Communist 52-year rule and its similarities to Fiji... with a Dictator Bainimarama, no rule of law, no fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, total military control, no media freedom, no freedom of speech, no right to dissent, no right of assembly, no trade union movement, restriction on Churches and NO FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

The United States

It is also, in the interests of security and defence, that the United States collaborate with Australia and New Zealand to bring an early end to both the Military Dictatorship in Fiji.

The Pacific Island Countries geo-political region is becoming a Sphere of Influence for China and this is not in the interests of the United States, Australia or New Zealand. The South Pacific ocean lanes are vital to the defence and security of the United States.

Australia and New Zealand, close allies, have always been and should also remain the major powers in the South Pacific. With China’s growing presence in the South Pacific and its location in the North Pacific, its relations with North Korea and influence in the Pacific far east, it would have control of the Pacific seaboard of the United States.

China also has an influential presence in the Caribbean and Latin America and the southern flank of the United States. With its massive Official Development Assistance (ODA), private sector investments and technical assistance, China is being called the new Super Power by military and political analysts.

Conclusion

It is not in the national, defence and security interests of Australia, New Zealand and the United States for the Pacific Island Countries South Pacific geo-political area to become a Sphere of Influence of China. It is not in the interest of Australia and New Zealand to allow Fiji to become the Cuba of the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand and the United States must act in concert with alacrity to bring an end to Bainimarama’s military junta in Fiji.

The hold off in the belief that the illegal Fiji regime will hold elections in 2014 is ill-advised. Castro promised elections in Cuba in 1959 and today, 52 years later, there have been no elections. Elections in Fiji in 2014 will never happen. Australia and New Zealand must review its role in the Forum and, especially, their decreasing influence in the Pacific. The Fiji problem is not solely political, it also has defence and security implications for Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Action now, rather than later, will be of benefit to the region as a whole and free the oppressed people of Fiji.

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Monday, August 22, 2011

Rock of Dreketi

Fiji Times

21 August 2011

by Paula Tagivetaua

IN the church chronicles it is stated that Dreketi in Macuata was the last place in Fiji to accept Christianity. Dreketi was once an independent state in the province of Macuata. There are more than one denomination in the tikina (district) now but there was a time not so long ago when cannibalism was still practised in Dreketi while the rest of Fiji had accepted Christianity and become educated in the ways of the western world.

It is part of their history they cannot deny and is something they have come to accept because of the war-like nature of the people who were once individual fiefdoms or tribal clans living on their own piece of land in Dreketi. When you talk about Dreketi, it is hard not to relate to Nabavatu Village because Nabavatu is the main village in the tikina of Dreketi, more like the capital because the Vunivalu, the Tui Dreketi, lives at Nabavatu.

On the road from Nabouwalu to Labasa, you could pass Nabavatu and never realise there was a village with about 70 houses.

Except for the few houses by the road, the rest are hidden under a canopy of breadfruit, mango, lemon, coconut trees and other plants useful to human habitation on the side of a rocky hill. There are rocks and stones everywhere, somewhat like Baba on Ovalau, hence the name Nabavatu which, legends say, was the name given to the place by two vu or ancestral gods who were looking or a place to settle in the dark days of mythology.

"This place was once rocky," said Esala Tawake, the turaga ni koro of Nabavatu. "There is a crater on top of the mountain behind us and we believe there must have been a volcano eruption a long time ago which brought all the rocks down. "The two raluve (vu) brought gifts with them and when they decided to settle at Nabavatu in Dreketi, one of them spilled his basket of sasalu into the nearby sea. "That is why researchers have found one or two fish species in the small river connecting to the Dreketi River which are not found in any river in Fiji, and there is an abundance of sasalu ni waitui in the reef called Cakau Levu out to sea."

The Dreketi River is the deepest river in Fiji and at one time, big boats from long ago such as the Zephyr and Labasa Princess sailed upriver as far as Batiri, but not anymore, because the river mouth has become shallow and clogged with debris left behind by logging and destruction of the environment upriver. The villages in the tikina of Dreketi include Nabavatu, Nakanacagi, Vunisea, Nasigasiga in the hills, Nakalou down by the coast and Nabiti which is the second village of Nabavatu.

There was once 11 mataqali at Nabavatu, something of a record for a single Fijian village but three have relocated to Nabiti. At one time, the 11 mataqali had been 11 yavusa - tribes of people with their own mataqali and tokatoka and turaga ni yavusa living on their land. The tribes were constantly at war with each other over territory, women and food - kanakana. If you were weak, you ran for your life, but there was no weak people in Dreketi because the 11 yavusa held their fort and lived their own life until they became united. They became tired of feuding and decided to appoint a king and merge the 11 mataqali under one yavusa which is now called Yavusa Uluitoga. "The 11 yavusa and the people had become tired of fighting and many of us are related so the elders came together and decided to unite and appoint a turaga who is now the Vunivalu.

"In Fiji, there are only three Vunivalu - the Vunivalu of Natewa, Bau and Dreketi."

People of Dreketi accepted the church after they were united.

Behind Nabavatu is a small plateau called the rara ni meke. It was there that the priests or bete practised their religion - vakacuru. It was from the rara ni meke that the bete saw the boat bringing the first missionaries enter the Dreketi river and the bete sent a message to the guards by the river mouth to let the boat pass, because it was bringing a person with "many eyes on his body" and the power he wielded was stronger than the power the bete had.

After unification, the 11 mataqali came together and lived in a big village on the flatland near the sea where the Dreketi health centre is situated. The old village was called Nasigasiga and the yavu - house sites are still there and so is a mound of mud or knoll called the vanua ni veibuli - where the first Tui Dreketi was installed. "The knoll is made up of soil which the 11 mataqali elders brought from their land and deposited at the place for the first installation."

In the early 1900s, a big flood swept through the village and destroyed the houses and killed some people and they decided to move to high ground and build a new village which became Nabavatu.

After the people of Dreketi became united and before they accepted Christianity, Dreketi was an independent state and the Tui Dreketi, with the backing of an army from the 11 yavusa, was powerful. He ruled the areas on the border with Bua, along the sea toward Lekutu and up to Naduri where the Tui Macuata's domain was.

They told me when the Tui Dreketi and his army were advancing to Naduri, suddenly they saw a Fijian drua sailing toward them with a beautiful maiden on it. They said the woman was of royal blood from the Ai Sokula clan and was an offering to the Tui Dreketi so he would not invade Macuata. "The Vunivalu that time was a womaniser who would not refuse a beautiful woman. "He took the woman and returned to Dreketi but the Tui Cakau heard about it and sailed across the Somosomo Strait to wage war on the Tui Dreketi and reclaim the woman from his clan."

The story goes that the Tui Cakau went to Bua and asked the Tui Bua that time, Ramasima, to help him fight the Tui Dreketi but the Tui Bua advised the Tui Cakau to let things be. "My friend, if you want your land and your people to remain yours, do not go any furthur; go home from here." The Tui Cakau heeded the advice of the Tui Bua and went home.

That is how the relationship between the Tui Dreketi and the Tui Cakau was forged.

Through the years, Nabavatu developed. Chinese traders arrived and set up shop and moved on, leaving behind ruins where their shop had been. Shops opened where the Dreketi shopping centre is and the Maramarua District School was built nearby followed by the Dreketi Indian School which is now the Dreketi Primary School and then the Dreketi High School. The police station was built, post office, forestry office, water department, telephone exchange and the health centre completed the government side of Dreketi.

The agriculture department started the Dreketi rice and irrigation scheme. The road from Labasa to Dreketi is tarsealed but after Dreketi, it is gravel and a rock and roll ride to Nabouwalu where people catch the ferry to Viti Levu.

At Dreketi, the pine forests start to fade and the sugar cane fields stretch to Labasa. Cotton was once planted at Dreketi. The white settlers who bought estates across the Dreketi river from Nabavatu include the Bull, Fox and Dunbar.

Nabavatu Village sources its water from an inland lake under the crater but there are only a couple of generators to generate electricity to a few homes in the village. Many villagers still live the way they have lived - cooking their food over a fire, negotiating the rugged terrain and rocks which are characteristic of the village whose name means stone wall, looking down to the deepest river in Fiji.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

NZ's Governor General Returns Tabua

by Sai Lealea - 21 July 2011

Yesterday, in a small and solemn ceremony at the newly refurbished Government House in Wellington, NZ's first Asian Governor General with close ties to Fiji, Sir Anand Satyanand and his wife Lady Susan, returned a Tabua (whales tooth) to the Fiji community. The Tabua was given to him by the Wellington Fiji community in 2006 in a Fijian ceremony of welcome to mark his recent appointment as Governor General of NZ. As he comes close to the end of his term next month, Sir Anand wanted to return the tabua for safe keeping back to those who presented it to him.

Members of the Fiji Community in Wellington from Fijian and Indo-fijian groups were present at the ceremony with a number of the staff at Government House. The ceremony began when the GG presented the tabua to his spokesperson for the event, Sai Lealea, who in turn spoke of how Sir Anand had treasured and valued it over the years as a gift from a community with whom he has close links. Sir Anand's parents were from Fiji and came to NZ where Sir Anand was born and raised.

The tabua was received on behalf of the Fiji community by Waisele who again thanked Sir Anand for his trailblazing achievement and distinguished service to the community and the nation. Waisele also acknowledged Sir Anand's close ties to Fiji and how proud the Fiji community have been given his links to Fiji.

Speaking to the group following the traditional presentation, Sir Anand spoke of his high regard of the Fijian culture and practices and how privileged he had been in being presented with the tabua. Now that he is close to the end of his term, he felt obliged to return the tabua to its rightful custodian for safekeeping. There is no doubt, Sir Anand placed great importance and value in cultural gifts given to him over the years.

Later over afternoon tea with the group, Sir Anand lamented not being able to visit Fiji during his term given current situation there. Together with Lady Susan, they are both looking forward to stepping down at the end of their term but have no immediate plans as to where they will settle in New Zealand. They both proved to be very warm, friendly and hospitable hosts during the whole occasion. NZ has been truly blessed to have such a wonderful couple as residents at its Government House in Wellington for close to 5 years.

Monday, June 27, 2011

100 Skull & Bones Dug Up on Waya in Yasawa

Fiji Times News

100-skull nightmare

by Maciu Malo
Monday, June 27, 2011

MORE than 100 skulls and bones were found buried at Natawa Village in Waya, Yasawa, last week.

The mystery find has shocked villagers who are still dumbfounded about the origin of the bones and skulls.

Villager Keni Nalesu, 55, said he was digging the foundation of his newly-built home when he came upon the skulls and bones.

He also showed The Fiji Times and a policeman, who was at the village, a piece of wood which he said was from a boat that was buried at the village foreshore.

"This is mystery to us," said Mr Nalesu.

"No one in the village knows about the history of these bones and skulls and all we can understand is the bones could be linked to the boat that is buried at the foreshore.

"I was shocked and frightened when I first saw many skulls and the bones buried here.

"By the look of the skulls and bones I can say it was from huge men."

Mr Nailesu said he had sleepness night when he removed the skulls from its actual burial place.

"After removing the skulls to bury them at another location, I dreamt a huge man telling me to bury the skull properly. The next morning I rushed to the place where I buried the skulls and buried them properly.

"The find also made me to move my house from its original place."

Unfortunately, Mr Nailesu was frightened to dig up the skulls and the bones to have pictures taken.

He says the proper authorities should visit the island and investigate this mysterious find. Mr Nailesu said there had been many strange events happening in the village during the past years.

He said in 2005 more than 100 cows mysteriously disappeared from the village in a single day and until today no evidence of the cows has been found.