Sunday, June 11, 2006

A legend from Macuata


From Wendy,
I collected this story from Jovilisi from Sueni village. It is a story of Toatagane's daughters and their adventures and travels in Macuata as told by Jo using the English language.

Toatagane was one of the chiefs or our place in our old ancestral village of Nabatini. He had two daughters, Adi Senibua who was younger, and Adi Wata who was older. They were cooking their breakfast one morning consisting of yams. The method of cooking was preserving the liquid in the pot which was a clay pot. Their father returned from planting in the garden and the food was ready. The table was prepared for breakfast with nicely cooked yam. But they had made a mistake. They had poured away the juice from the pot which was earthenware. It was usual to eat the cooked yam with the liquid. 'What have you done with the juice?' shouted Toatagane. He was furious, sad, and angry.

So he told his daughters to pack straight away, to take their belongings and go to a faraway place where his name was not know. They were downhearted and started to cry to be banished like that. They travelled down the track towards the sea because their village is on top of the mountains in Vanua Levu.

The first place where they rested was near a river with big stones, big rocks piled together. They started to wonder how that came about and one said to the other, the young one. 'Just look at the big rock all piled together'. In our dialect the older one replied, 'They are just sitting on top of each other.' From then till today that placed is called Vatuveitikoni which means rocks on top of one another.

Further down it started to rain. The girls were getting wet and cold and they came to a deserted house, probably deserted during the war. In the kitchen they saw a burning fire so then took two sticks of fire with them and travelled further on. The older one was holding them, blowing them, and the younger girl was warming herself. That place is called Nabukaraliga which means that she was holding the fire in the air and blowing them to warm the younger sister.

Then they moved on and saw an orange tree fully ripened and full of fruit. When the orange tree ripens the fruits get yellow and reddish. Adi Wata called out, 'There's a big orange tree over there.' This place is called Vunimoli which means the orange tree.

They left that place and had to cross a small creek. They could not jump across because it was a bit swampy so the older one went and got a fallen log of a sea tree and put the log across the creek to help them cross. Kawakawasea means the sea which was used to cross a swampy creek.

They left that place and went further down and came across another creek and there were many spots on the rocks and the younger girl was delighted at the sight before them. She wondered how this happened and they named the place Vatuboroboro which means a spotted rock.

Then they went further down to the place that today is the town of Labasa. There was a large sea tree. It is a very large tree grown in Fiji which usually bears fruit which is sweet when ripe but we don't usually eat them, only when we are really hungry. Most people just chew them. When the two girls reached there, there were many bats flying all over the tree eating the fruit. They named that place Nasea, the place of the Sea tree. This is where the town of Labasa is situated now.

They left there and went further down to a place where the village of Naseakula now stands. It was during low tide and because these girls were from the bush they were delighted to see seashells along the bank of that small creek. The younger girl was picking up the seashells on the bank, savulu. That is why the vanua of Labasa is called Wasavulu by its chiefly title until today. She stayed there and her sister went further on.

The place she came to is what is called today Tuatua. She sat down to wait for her younger sister and she was calling on top of her voice but the younger one answered back to Wata. 'I'm not going any further. You can go. I am staying. Go on' So the younger one 3was left there, Adi Senibua, and she became the chief of that place because she was good-looking, beautiful and now I heard about this very old story that she became the vu of that place which is called Madraibokola.

The elder girl Wata went further down to where the Wailevu village is situated. She was keen to see this wide river and she had to cross it so she swam across. She called this place Wailevu which means a very big river.

Further down she was getting cold and she came across a small river just two to three kilometres down from Wailevu and she was saying 'I have to swim across'. Qalo means swim and we call this place Qalowaqa which means a place to swim.

Then she left that place and went further down and then came across a village. The people were having lunch there, a pudding made out of tapioca and coconut cream. She came in from the bush not knowing this food. There was no tapioca from her home village. She liked the taste of the pudding and when she finished the first plate the ladies said, 'Have some more pudding' Me tavi na yabia? This referred toa the second serve of the pudding by calling the place Tabia.

Then she came upon a hill and on top of the hill looking down at the sea thre was a village down below. But there was an army of villagers just fighting there, burning down villages and when they saw this woman descending from the hill they thought that she was a spy. They tried to catch her and were yelling on top of their voices. 'Catch her. Yalava. Catch from there. Yalava is the place. Chase her from there.'

She left there and came further down and when she came down to the second village which is Korotubu and there were some people there. They were occupied and they threw stones and rocks at her. Tubua mai ina. That place is called Korotubu.

She left there and it was getting dark and she was getting tired also and needed a place to sleep on the way. There were a lot of coconuts and a big dilo tree on the beach. She brought two coconut leaves, the dried leaves called Sasa and spread them around. Sasa is the dried coconut leaf. That place is called Sasa.

She left Sasa and went further down to where the village of Naduri stands today. That army of warriors that were fighting along the coast had destroyed the village, burnt it down. Only the posts were left, all burning. She was unhappy because nobody was there. It was empty. 'All the place is burnt down. Only the posts are standing up' she thought. Naduri means burnt posts. So she was there alone and made up her mind not to go further but to find a place to stay for the time being. So she looked down towards the west and saw there was an island. She thought it might be safe if she went there.

So she turned herself into a bat and flew across to the island which we called today Macuata i wai. Nowadays in Naduri there are still people by the name of Tamaibeka, still using that word, (not nabeqa) some of the chiefs of Naduri. And she went and there was a wiriwiri tree. Boys came to the wiriwiri tree and saw this bat hanging up there and started to collect stones to throw at the bat. But she spoke to them. 'I'm not a bat. I'm not a flying fox. I'm a human being'. So she changed into a person and came down. They saw that she was a beautiful girl and took her home and then made her chief of Macuata i wai. She was staying there with the people feeling very safe and the people were very kind.


And one day when she was collecting seashells from the beach, her father, Toatagane back at Batini on top of the mountain was very lonely and he looked down. He saw her picking up the shells and in our dialect language he said, 'Ma cu o Wata ni vili mena vivili' which means Wata is picking up seashells. That is where the name Macuata derives from and from that time until now these two places where the young ladies stayed most of the time, they still have a very strong link with our place.

Up to the time when they signed the Deed of Cession there were two chiefs of Macuata who signed the Deed of Cession, one from Naduri and one from Nasekula. Katonivere from Naduri and Ritova from Naseakula, one from the older sister from Naduri, and the younger sister from Nasekula.


Jo said, This story was told by my grandfather to Ratu Sukuna in 1928 to the Native Lands Commission. This is written down. It is in the Native Lands Commission files.

Peceli said, Maybe it is in the category of ai tukutuku raraba. There are stories told, this is one of them.

Jo said, My grandfather's name is Tomasi Naceba. Ratu Sukuna was in Macuata. They held the first Native Land Commission in 1928 in Naduri. Ratu Sukuna was Commissioner of Lands. The people of Macuata could not make a history of about they originated from. There were too many stories and Ratu Sukuna could not be convinced so my grandfather came. A message was sent to my grandfather through the Tui Labasa of that time because the Tui Labasa is related to the people of the time. Their mother comes from Vuo which is bati to Labasa and he knew that their people though were not from Macuata but their mother's were. My grandfather went down to Naduri and told the story to Ratu Sukuna and this story convinced him that this was the real thing that had happened. He had been hearing this and that and couldn't believe it. After hearing this story Ratu Sukuna told the chiefs of Macuata ' I think you of the vanua of Macuata should by right owe their allegiance to Batini, the place they originated from.

33 comments:

  1. from Peceli,
    This is a very interesting story about naming some of the villages in Macuata. This is part of the oral tradition of elders explaining things to their children. This is territorial politics, as one tribal group tells a story to win esteem and be recognised. So don't take it seriously. It's just a story.

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    1. We lived in naduri uncles use to own farm near nabouno village not far from macuata island

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    2. There are many things happen interesting stories of chiefs ratu soso.ratu savenaca in front of my uncle.

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  2. I keep coming back to this post without commenting.

    Of course it is "just a story", Peceli, but it is also much more than that. Like the story you told of warriors going over to fight on Taveuni, it is a part of the fabric of Fiji history and tradition. I love to read about such things.

    Nations in modern times also have their "stories" which are not necessarily historically accurate either. But they can be an important link to our past and our cultural heritage as well as lessons in life.

    I find it sad when local traditional stories are lost to so-called modernization only to be relpaced by the stories of another culture which are not necessarily any more true or valid.

    Thank you for telling these stories on your blog. I hope they are preserved for future generations. I strongly feel it is important.

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  3. Peceli has gone off to Melbourne so can't answer now, but I reckon he meant that the storyteller was biased in claiming that Macuata owed allegiance to the mountain men - based on the story of the two sisters. Macuata people would have their own version that puts themselves in the centre of the story.
    I'm looking for a lost book - called History of Macuata, written first in French, from Nabala and the Catholic priests there - I lent it to someone.
    W.

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    1. Anonymous8:12 PM

      Ive got it....History of Macuata

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  4. It is beautiful how the story is passed on from generation to generation. Besides teaching the children to get the names of the places, it certainly creates a very strong bond between generations.

    It reminds me of the Whalerider again. It is very interesting to listen to the stories passed on orally. There is always some mystery, some legend, yet some facts within the stories.

    I am trying to find a story that traces my root, but sadly I have not found a complete one yet. I shall tell the story next time when I get a more complete picture.

    Thanks for the beautiful story. I feel it is not just a story. It's thread linking all the generations together.

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  5. Anonymous1:45 PM

    wow , thats a very interesting story as i carry the tamaibeka name and was very interested how it was derived ....,.

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  6. Anonymous11:24 PM

    well i heard another story from my grandad who his grandad told him. Wata though was the girl from seaqaqa who got chased away by her father after spilling her dad's food consisting of prawns that she just caught that day. her dad was the chief of seaqaqa that time who doesn't often stays in his bure alot of time. after spilling the food Wata was ordered by her dad that before sunset she must leave seaqaqa for good. she then began her journey to vunavere and then across to Nabouono where she was able to catch a glimpse of the ocean and she say these islands soon after that she decided to go to Macuata i Wai. people had already inhabit Macuata-i-wai so as scared as she was, she climbed a tree which is locally called 'vunisinu'. the chief of Macuata that time asked his Matanivanua to deliver a message for him to Vuniwesi whereby on his way he spotted Wata up in Vunisinu. she asked her whether she was a ghost from somewhere and where Wata replied that she was not and she was a normal human being so the Matanivanua asked her to come down and so she was escorted to the high Chief of Macuata. Rokotola was the then High chief of Macuata and so he told Wata that she would now be called Diwata Yadimaivunisinu. and the name is still being used today by some in Naduri particularly in Qaralaselase.

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    1. Tu Vili1:23 AM

      Vinaka vakalevu for correctly informing this forum of the facts, Nacanieli! Past Naduri near Nabukadogo is a settlement called Nadamanu which was won in battle by Korovakaturaga of the tokatoka Qaralaselase.There you will meet Ratu Soronabaravi Tamaibeka Katonivualiku.the Macuata history you will hear is not only memorised but a written record exist the until today to the 10th generation.

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  7. Bula sia Naca,
    Sounds like your story is a variation of the story that we were told. I hope that some people are writing down the stories that grandparents tell as they will be lost otherwise.
    Are you from Macuata?
    w.

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    1. Tu Vili1:37 AM

      History of Macuata can easily be verified if you talk to the right people.Ritova a known warrior of Macuata because of his mother, the Tui Macuata's sister. Ritova is a vasu; just like the Katoniveres, Vuakataganes and even the Qomates.

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    2. Than who are the kai macuata i wai real taukei's

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  8. Just wondering if Wendy has found the missing book: History of Macuata, written first in French, from Nabala and the Catholic priests?

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  9. Bula sia Lewa,
    I haven't found that lost book yet but here are the details of it - as from the National Library in Canberra. It should also be in the Fiji archives and USP library.
    W.

    Histoire de Macuata : d'apres un manuscrit trouve a la mission catholique de Nabala, Macuata = History of Macuata : from a manuscript found in the Catholic mission, Nabala, Macuata / edited by Francoise Gardere and David Routledge

    Book Bib ID 668274
    Format Book
    Description Suva, Fiji : Service culturel de l'Ambassade de France, c1991.
    xviii, 78 p. : facsim., maps ; 21 cm.

    Notes Parallel text in French and English.

    Includes bibliographical references (p. 76) and index.

    Subjects Oral tradition - Fiji. | Macuata (Fiji) - History. | Fiji - History.

    Other Authors Routledge, David | Gardere, Francoise, 1949-

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  10. thank u Wendy. Much appreciated.

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  11. vinaaa vaalevu na tuunii

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  12. Anonymous9:52 PM

    Bula si'a,
    Interesting that the part of the story that Naca mentioned about Wata is in the book that Wendy has lost, "History of Macuata". I have a copy of that book with me but unfortunately the part about Wata seem to be an extra that does not fit into the rest of the story of the Macuata chiefs. According to the book, Wata married the chief called Ratu Maulumalumu, and she was the mother of Ra Beka, but unfortunately I could not find any other connection of Ratu Malumalumu in the chiefly geneology tree, especially in connection to Ra Beka who was the third Macuata chief of Macuata.

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  13. Anonymous12:14 AM

    According to what has been passed down to our generation, Rokotola was married to Adi Saurara Vuramailagi. They had two children: a son Ratu Malumalumu (who married Adi Wata Maivunisinu) and a daughter. The couple had 2 children, Ratu Rabeka Soronabaravi and Adi Moqeibau. Ratu Rabeka Soronabaravi was the first Chief of Macuata to be officially installed! That means "e a va'a'unumi" and witnessed. Ratu Malumalumu's descendants are living in Naduri, Qaralaselase right now. The names mentioned are particularly used in the Qaralaselase clan only eg. Ratu Rabeka Soronabaravi Katonivualiku, Adi Wata Maivunisinu and Rokotola Katonivualiku.

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  14. Very Interesting...considering that the names are only found in the Qaralaselase clan. I suppose anyone that carries the above names in their families are direct descendants of Rokotola, Ratu Malumalumu and Ratu Rabeka or somehow related to the above.

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  15. Anonymous4:40 AM

    Isa, thank you for continuing with this story which hopefully will enlighten us more of the Chiefs of Macuata so our children will be better informed of our history.

    Interesting that the book mentions Rabeka and Moqeibau as children of Caginitoba and a person from Vuleivesi,(the most important of the Roko Tola tribes). Yes, Rabeka was the third Macuata Chief after Raralevu and Likusuasua. His nephew Mamacayaya, son of his sister Moqeibau, suceeded him instead of his own son - Ra Baro. The Katonivere are the descendents of Mamacayaya.

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  16. Anonymous5:21 PM

    Bula Re to my Ratu's of the Qaralaselase Clan,
    Its good to know the history of Macuata especially where we the young generation will know our true origin.I am glad I finally met my real Grandfather. He may be sitting on a wheelchair and at 92 years of age, he is an example the rest of the Chief should learn from. A humble, firm and fair leader.
    God Bless You all the reader and the people of Macuata.

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  17. Anonymous5:10 AM

    I have some serious misgivings about Jovilisi's account of Macuata's history. Tying up the two signatories to the Deed of Cession to the two sisters which are hundreds years apart is somewhat ridiculous in my view. History is very clear. Both chiefs are from Macuata, Katonivere was based at Naduri and Ritova at Macuata-i-wai. A British warship was sent to Macuata-i-wai to arrest Ritova and escort him to Levuka for the signing ceremony.

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  18. Wasasala8:01 PM

    thanks for this intersting legend about macuata..im a vola ni kawa bula oa Macuata I Wai.....though we can dig deep again to gather the History about Macuata...and is people...
    Good Job..!
    Sa Re

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  19. Anonymous10:54 PM

    This is wonderful,we need more history storys like this false or not atleast we can have all information of back then and get a clear idea of what it was like to live back then.people say those days were dark ages of tribal war and territorial disputes but atleast we can learn on how they survived and pass our traditions and custom down

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  20. Anonymous7:37 AM

    Very interesting indeed! It should be noted that Ritova was not from Naseakula but from Macuata i wai island. Descendants of Ritova are now the mataqali Nawaivuvu. The Ritova family of Naseakula has no links at all with the Ritova that went to Levuka to sign the deed of cession.

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    1. Sa bula re...thats interesting.can you please enlighten us more

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  21. Anonymous12:16 PM

    Isnt it interesting to note that their is a Macuata Island in Viti Levu? You stand at Golden Point and look out to sea, the biggest island that is not occupied is Macuata Island. Now define that Macuata. Their is a Mata Levu spring generating water up the Naseyani area towards Nakauvadra and come to think of it I am from Caumatalevu. Dont you think that we from Caumatalevu have a rightful share to any lease money over these two areas. People who have attempted to take lease money from these two areas have untimely deaths; maybe because it rightfully belongs to us from Caumatalevu.$$$ for all Macuata people if we united as one and God Bless Tu Lailai Willie on his current leadership role as the Paramount Chief.

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  22. Anonymous3:04 PM

    Thanks a lot everyone for all the information. Very informative indeed

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  23. Anonymous9:08 PM

    Bula re, the Ritova in Nasekula are not the Ritova who signed the Deed of Cession. secondly the Title "RATU" is only reserved to the chiefs and their descendents directly link to Verata.

    Vinaka

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