Saturday, October 10, 2009

A Legend Of Degei The Snake God

Degei - Snake God

Greatest of all Fijian gods was Degei, the Snake god. In the beginning he lived alone, without friends or companions, and the only living creature he knew was Turukawa the hawk. Although the hawk could not speak he was the constant companion of the god.

One day Degei could not find his friend and looked everywhere for him. Days went by and at last one morning he spied the hawk sitting in some long grass. Gladly, he welcomed the bird but, to his consternation, she ignored Degei and commenced building a nest. Disappointed, he retired to his house and the next day went back to the nest and found two eggs. He then realized the hawk had found a mate and that he had lost her affection. So scooping up the eggs he took them into his own house and kept them warm with his own body. After several weeks of nurturing the eggs and wondering what would happen two shells broke and there were two tiny human bodies.

Degei built them a shelter in a vesi tree and fed them on scraps of food. They grew quickly, but there was nobody to teach them except Degei. He did not understand children but when they were hungry he fed them and to save himself work he planted banana trees and root crops close to them. He also talked to them and told them about the secrets of nature. Eventually the children were fully grown and all this time had been unaware of each other's presence as Degei had placed them on opposite sides of the tree.

One day the man left his shelter and as soon as he saw the maiden held out his arms to her and told her Degei had made them for each other and that their children would populate the earth. So Degei showed them how to cook the root vegetables in an earth oven.

Some time later they were blessed with a little baby and Degei also was very happy as he knew that because of loneliness men and women had come into the world and would worship him as their god.

According to legend Degei also created Viti Levu and all the small islands.

Dakuwaqa The Shark God

One of the best known gods in Fijian legends is the fierce sea-monster Dakuwaqa. He was the guardian of the reef entrance of the islands, fearless, headstrong and jealous. He frequently changed himself into the form of a shark and traveled around the islands fighting all the other reef guardians.

One day he set out for the Lomaiviti group and after emerging victorious from this area he decided to set out for Suva. The guardian of the reef here challenged Dakuwaqa and a great struggle took place. There was such a disturbance that great waves went rolling into the mouth of the Rewa River causing valleys to be flooded for many miles inland.

Dakuwaqa once more emerged as victor and proceeded on his way. Near the island of Beqa his old friend Masilaca, another shark god, told him of the great strength of the gods guarding Kadavu island and slyly asked Dakuwaqa whether he would be afraid to meet them. Like a shot Dakuwaqa sped off towards Kadavu and, on nearing the reef, found a giant octopus guarding the passage. The octopus had four of its tentacles securely gripping the coral and the other four were held aloft. Rushing furiously in, Dakuwaqa soon found that he was being almost squeezed to death as the octopus had coiled its tentacles around him. Realizing his danger Dakuwaqa begged for mercy and told the octopus that if his life was spared he would never harm any people from Kadavu wherever they may be in any part of Fiji waters.

So the octopus released him and Dakuwaqa kept his promise, and the people of Kadavu have no fear of sharks when out fishing or swimming.

Even today when local fishermen go out for a night's fishing they reverently pour a bowl of yaqona into the sea for Dakuwaqa.

The high chiefs of Cakaudrove are considered the direct descendants of Dakuwaqa and their totem shark will appear to the reigning chief on occasions when momentous news is about to the announced.[TOP]

Friday, October 09, 2009

Warning on Fijian Culture

Guide warns on culture

www.fijitimes.com - Thursday, October 08, 2009

GENUINE Fijian culture attracts tourists, says Tui Tai Adventure cruise guide Losefati Ligairi.

Ms Ligairi, who has spent 20 years in the industry, told villagers in Taveuni during a visit with tourists that genuine Fijian culture included the yaqona ceremony and its traditional dress.

"In many Fijian villages today, most villagers no longer perform the genuine ceremony, or wear the (correct) clothing, so we have asked the villagers to maintain that touch of the culture.

"It is very important for the villagers and the indigenous community to maintain the culture passed down to us by our ancestors because this is what attracts tourists to our shores."

She said in some occasions he had visited villagers and asked them to wear genuine meke dress and traditional ceremony wear.

Wearing a lei of frangipani on our heads or having a flower on one side of our hair is not Fijian, she said.

"The real Fijian way is to tuck a Fijian comb in the back of our hair and wear masi cloth for the kava ceremony," Ms Ligairi said.

"The villagers have responded well," she said.

Tui Tai Cruise owner Tige Young said the Fijian villages in the areas of Cakaudrove had supported cruise activities over the past seven years of operation.

"We have worked well with the villagers and our relationship has strengthened over the years," Mr Young said.

Roland Williams Wins Maori TV Song Competition

Let Roland rule

Ioane Burese
www.fijitimes.com -Sunday, October 04, 2009

THE reign of Roland Williams has begun. The 18-year-old former frontman of the Suva band, One-2-Eight, beat nine other finalists in the Maori Television singing competition -- Homai Te Pakipaki -- in Auckland on Friday night.

Roland crooned his way to the $10,000 first prize money with the tune Me and Mrs Jones, a signature track of legendary Philadelphia soul singer Billy Paul.

In a commentary on his performance, the New Zealand news website stuff.co.nz reported: "When Roland Williams sings, he sounds much older than his years."

It's an acknowledgement of Roland's strong tenor range that allowed him to experiment with the soul and funk of Stevie Wonder and Tavares while here with One-2-Eight.

The performance capped off a 23-week run of Homai Te Pakipaki, that started in May, and which has developed a cult-like following since going to air for the first time in 2007.

The former Marist Brothers High School student, who left for Auckland's Kelston Boys High School earlier this year on a rugby scholarship, won his heat on September 11 with the Gregory Abbot smash I Wanna Shake You Down.

For that effort, he took home the weekly prize of $1000.

On Friday night, in a two-hour finale that featured a guest appearance by popular New Zealand singer Mark Williams, Roland broke new ground by excelling in a field other than the rugby paddock.

Speaking from Auckland yesterday Roland said while he was enjoying the feel-good experience, he was still a little stunned.

"It was quite tough. There's a lot of talent here and everybody came prepared," Roland said.

"My school has also been very supportive."

Roland packs down Kelston's Second XV at Number 8 and has managed to balance his blossoming music career with his rugby and his studies.

"My studies have been going great, really well -- it's a massive improvement from what I'd been doing in Fiji," he said.

"The rugby's been going great too. We reached the semi-final of the competition in Auckland."

Here at home, on hearing the news on Friday night, Roland's mum, Glenda, was over the moon.

"Oh man, I feel on top of the world," Mrs Williams said while admitting Roland could be facing some difficulties adjusting to a new environment.

"His studies are going well although I believe he can do much better.

"I wish I was there to celebrate with him."

Roland's achievement also ensured the yaqona flowed thick and fast with the One-2-Eight gang, which is gaining a reputation as a kind of ex-Marist Brothers High School institution.

The band features guitarist Nesbitt Hazelman and bass player Ratu Jo Tabakaucoro.

"It's a big achievement for Roland and everybody's happy here," Ratu Jo said.

"The Maori are great vocalists and for Roland to win that kind of competition says a lot about his abilities.

"I think his weapon is his old-school repertoire for a young kid -- that's his edge."

Roland plans to study psychology some time in the future while he nurtures his rugby.

And his music?

"I'll probably pursue it later," he said. "There're opportunities for the performing arts here in Auckland -- so things are really great."

Roland Williams' exploits -- on and off the rugby field -- have come in only his first year in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

But if they're anything to go by, this Namadi Heights kid is going places -- to be sure.

Legend of the Yasawa Giant Eagle

Legend of the giant eagle

www.fijitimes.com -Sunday, October 04, 2009

WHILE Sawa-i-Lau in Yasawa is known for its majestical caves, most people have not heard of the legend of the giant eagle the locals believe lived there once.

According to Josese Draya, legend says the island was home to a great eagle that only survived by eating virgins.

If you go to Sawa-i-Lau, try and use your binoculars and check out the top right hand corner of the island of Sawa-i-Lau. A large patch of guano or bird droppings is visible.

Draya is convinced that was the spot where the giant eagle or manu levu lived.

According to legend, whenever the eagle was hungry, it would fly to the nearby village and grab a virgin and took it to its nest.

Draya said one day, the eagle flew down and grabbed itself a virgin which did not augur well with her husband to be.

The husband to be swam to Sawa-i-Lau and climbed up to the eagle's nest to rescue his bride to be.

While trying to do that, the eagle flew back and they fought over the virgin.

Draya said they both fell to the ground and died. And that was the end of the eagle of Sawa-i-Lau. Draya says villagers still wonder why the large patch believed to be bird droppings was still there. He said people of Nabukeru and Tamusua believe in the legend.

Cave God of Yasawa

Home of the cave god

Mereseini Marau
www.fijitimes.com - Sunday, October 04, 2009

THE locals here often say that Sawa-i-Lau Island is the heart of Yasawa and Fiji.

It is where the mana of this country is hidden.

The people of Yasawa believe that you have not been to Yasawa if you have not set foot on Sawa-i-Lau.

The island - a distinctive limestone mass rising 1000 feet above sea level - is the object of Fijian legends and sacred Fijian mythology.

This island off Nabukeru Village is owned by the people of Tokatoka Koro and Mataqali Koro of Nabukeru.

According to Josese Draya, the cave keeper, the island is riddled with caves.

Relaxing on the rocks on the beach in front of the caves, Draya explains the caves are the popular attractions on the island.

There was something about this place that made it eerie. The silence was just so unnatural. The cool breeze sent shivers up my spine, goose bumps a constant reminder that I was venturing into something dark and mysterious.

On the entrance to the main cave, there are inscriptions on the walls, which have long puzzled archaeologists.

Draya recalls that a team of archaeologists visited the caves some years ago to see the writings.

This Nabukeru no nonsense villager explained that a lot of people visited the island to just dip in the pools inside the caves.

"They say this is the source of the seas around Yasawa," he said.

The island is internationally renowned as one of the locations for the popular movie Blue Lagoon which was shot in the 70s and featured famous child actress, Brooke Shields.

But apart from that, Draya said a lot of people believe the site was the resting grounds of the legendary 10 headed god, Ulutini.

Expanding on stories passed down from elders, Draya said each chamber of the caves was supposed to represent each of the god's nine snake heads. The 10th resembled a human head.

Allaying fears of myth-struck visitors, Draya reassured the island was free of snakes.

"Until now, no snake can live here," he said.

Draya recalled this statement of fact was tested by villagers who introduced a small snake from Tamusua to the island.

"We put that tiny snake in a bottle and took it to the island," he said.

"Just before we reached the island, the snake died in the bottle."

But in a twist just as dramatic as the myths itself, Draya reported that while villagers were steadfast in the belief that there was no snake on the island, a late uncle - Laisenia Taulele - is said to have seen the great 10 headed god in person.

"His plantation is here on the island," he said.

One day while farming, he claimed he saw the snake sunbathing.

After the snake revealed himself to Taulele, the Nabukeru villager reportedly acquired the gift of healing - but on the condition he did not sleep with women.

"After that encounter he was able to heal people," said Draya.

News of this magic healing travelled all over the Yasawas and the province of Ba and thus he began travelling. Later he moved to Korovou in Tavua and lived there for a while.

While there he composed a meke about this 10 headed god.

Today, the women of Korovou perform a special meke known as the manu. The lyrics of the song for this particular meke are derived from the legend of the snake god.

The story goes that it was in Korovou that Taulele broke the condition set by the snake god. It cost him his life.

While Taulele might not be around to testify to what he saw, Draya said that the stories had gotten around.

I did not get to go deep into the caves but legend has it that the snake god's central human face possesses angelic beauty that is almost too much for any mortal's gaze to behold. Added to the mystery is the belief that embedded in the god's forehead is a shimmering diamond like stone, which is the source of the great mana.

The villagers also claim that the caves are home to Dema Leka and Damu Balavu (two fish), as well as Donu (eel). In this case, the story goes that they have lived there forever without ever breeding, changing, growing or dying.

Draya said that one of the chambers within the caves was said to be the pregnancy cave. "That cave can be entered by everyone of any shape or size except a woman who is pregnant and is hiding it," he said.

"Even the slimmest pregnant woman will get stuck there."

So for women who want an alternative pregnancy test - the caves could be the place for this.

Ratu Mara - A Colossus of the Pacific

Remembering a colossus

www.fijitimes.com - Thursday, October 08, 2009

Tuimacilai: A Life of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was four years in the making.

It is the first major biography of Fiji's late president and prime minister, who was the dominant political figure in the period leading to Independence and in the first decades of nationhood.

It was said of Ratu Sir Kamisese that he bestrode Fiji's political stage like a colossus.

To some his height and quick temper meant he was "the towering inferno"; others gave him god-like status.

His achievements were numerous. But most of all he was known for his advocacy of multi-racial co-operation, through a philosophy of dialogue and consensus he called the Pacific Way.

Tuimacilai is the latest book by the historian and author Dr Deryck Scarr.

It is printed and published as a joint venture between the Fijians Trust Fund and the Australian company Crawford House Publishing.

It will be launched in Suva on Fiji Day, Saturday October 10th, by Ratu Sir Kamisese's close friend Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.

Sir Robert Sanders, for many years secretary to Ratu Sir Kamisese and cabinet, knew the late leader better than most.

He describes Tuimacilai as a monumental work adding, "I would certainly call it definitive."

"To those of us who knew him the whole account rings true even without all the evidence so studiously gathered, interpreted and synthesized," says Sir Robert.

He compliments Dr Scarr for making sure Ratu Sir Kamisese's "very considerable achievements are fully recognised."

Here are some brief extracts and summaries from Tuimacilai, the first public disclosures of the contents of the biography:

"..he was forever navigating between discordant interests and aspirations in his re-emerging nation until the year 2000 when he became overwhelmed at the end of a very long walk along a political tightrope".

Dr Scarr saw Ratu Sir Kamisese as odd man out among the chiefs of his era. He had attended four universities, reading medicine, history, economics, political science and colonial administration. By conversion he was a Roman Catholic among Methodists. "Above all," writes Dr Scarr, "he was recognised as likely to see much more moral force in Indian political claims than most other Fijians were likely to do."

Psychology of a community: "As he remembered and as was often remembered of him too, he had actually taken full note of Indian aspirations throughout his time in district administration. 'In many instances I felt that their main problem was a psychological one,' he recalled in 1972, as prime minister with an election coming up. 'They felt that in spite of the role they played in the development of this country, they were not recognised as any more than itinerant immigrants who could possibly be sent away again. Having this understanding of the Indians, whenever I have the opportunity to serve them, I make sure that I serve them as fairly and honestly as I serve any other citizens in Fiji.' "In his diaries, though, his concern for his own people predominates, Ratu Mara wanted rapid results for Fijians in industrial as well as agricultural development."

Quoting from a letter by Ratu Sir Kamisese to his mentor and relative, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna: "By the way, there will be no peace of mind if we keep on underlining the differences between Indians and Fijians. Neither race seeing anything in common. One thinking the other privileged."

Quoting G K Roth, author of The Fijian Way of Life: "Ratu Mara is an outstandingly able and intelligent young chief holding some remarkably unorthodox views on the Fijian social system and administration."

On the role of chiefs: "As a high chief from an established dynasty, and so the living representative of a creator god, his ascribed function was to serve as a central co-ordinating agency and in his formative years it was generally axiomatic that chiefs would or should lead in modern politics too."

Impatience: "Behind their hands, the young Fijians of his think tank said that it was doubly fortunate that he had never gone on to be a surgeon, because so impatient a man would hardly have waited for an unpunctual anaesthetist before making the first incision."

As a child at Levuka: "Ratu Mara was photographed there at about eight years old - a bare-foot boy in shorts and shirt, handsome, solemn, reserved, wary and not altogether happy, or perhaps merely shy."

Ratu Sir Kamisese on race and racialism: 'Race is a fact of life as language is a fact of life and these facts will have to be reconciled with progress. .. racialism is an evil, but also a reality"... "racialism is a cancer, a malignant growth; you cannot confine it to one race only."

Recollections from Oxford University: "My memories of him are vivid", wrote his modern history tutor, Mr A F (Pat) Thompson, nearly 60 years after taking him on. "Invariably dignified, his presence greatly reinforced by his youthful stature. Economical with words, but something of a wit when he uttered. Quietly competent, not a natural third by any means. In the late '40s, when there were schools lunches as well as dinners, I remember him striding round the quad after one lunch, completely under control after putting away phenomenal quantities of drinks. He was a truly heroic drinker in a very booze-ridden period."

Being hungry at Oxford: "In secluded gardens behind the college, he went scrumping (pinching) pears with Ratu Penaia because, big men that they were, they were so hungry for so much of the time."

A favourite Biblical text: "Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage: Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord Thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Quoting Dr Peter France on Ratu Sir Kamisese as a good listener: "He would ask questions and then subsidiary questions and you would find yourself talking to him for half an hour and only on leaving him realise that you hadn't the faintest idea of what his thoughts were on whatever you'd been discussing."

Socialising with Pat and So Raddock: "In houses like the Raddock's ... he was free to relax, joke, pour the wine, wrangle with Pat about cricket and poke fun generally."

Complaining when Adi Lady Lala Mara took her time when the couple were ready to go out: 'Clean people don't need to bathe,' he might comment when his wife lingered in her bath and they were going to be late for some cocktail party."

Fijian Custom & Culture

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