A tall tale or two from Vuo

from w
Don't know what Peceli will say about these stories. When he comes back from church I'll ask him about it. They are the kind of tall stories that are told around the yaqona bowl perhaps. The name 'Noa' suggests that the name is -post Christian entry to Fiji, but the story sounds much older. There is a present-day Noa in Labasa who is a musician - I guess he's related.
from Fiji Times today:
The first man on Malau
Sunday, October 05, 2008

Ratu Peni Vuakanisakea of Vuo Village who is also a member of the Mataqali Ligaulevu and his relation Josefa Poe related the story of the conniving warrior on the run who first settled Malau. His name was Noa Ratulegi and he was an able warrior from Lekutulevu who was called by the Tui Labasa, the fearsome Qomate at Nasekula Village. Joining Qomate's warriors, Ratulegi was supposed to march into battle with Qomate and Tui Wailevu and his warriors to overpower chiefs in Seaqaqa.

Ratulegi never reached the battle fields in Seaqaqa but returned to Wailevu Village where only the women were left behind. Mr Poe said his ancestor had affairs with most of the village women impregnating them.

Almost a year later, warriors of Wailevu Village returned from Seaqaqa. Ratulegi fled the village but not before clubbing another man and stealing his takia which he used to flee to Mali Island where he sheltered for many years under the protection of the Tui Mali. He fled Mali Island when Qomate and his warriors arrived to battle Tui Macuata for ownership of Mali.

Mr Vuakanisakea said his ancestor arrived at Malau with a Mali woman called Taraivosa Ili and so began the 'kawa of Malau' in a cave about 10km from where Malau is today.
(and the second story)
Where wishes can come true
Sunday, October 05, 2008

Noa Ratulegi, who mans the gate at the FSC Bulk terminal, told me about Viriviri.

He said: "In that cave if you throw stones at the roof of the cave, you will get the man or woman you've been having the hots for," Mr Railegi said.

I must see this cave I promised myself. And the very next day armed with a camera, flip flops and dressed for the occasion I was off to Viriviri, struggling through the swampy mangrove, enduring the slashing

Para grass, stumbling over fallen logs and exposed roots with children from the village and my guide Josefa Poe and his wife. They answered my groans of pain with "qo sa voleka sara, vo walega e va na miniti".
Four minutes stretched into one hour but Viriviri was well worth the walk.

Viriviri is a cave formed by a big, black rock with a ceiling curved into an arc jutting towards the ground. There is a little opening towards the jutting edge of the ceiling.

Mr Poe who related the legend said their love struck ancestors, desiring someone would go to the cave, place a pebble between their toes and kick it out towards the opening in the ceiling. Legend has it if the pebble lands on the edge of the opening than man or woman being desired is won. But if not, better luck next time.

Villagers from Vuo raise funds for the church

from w
Peceli was at Vuo village last week staying with the Tui Mali. This is a village next to Malau Timber Mill which is opposite Mali Island. The people who live in this village are part of the vanua of Labasa though 80% of the people there have Mali connections. A hundred years ago the Tui Labasa lived there - before the town of Labasa existed and the Tui Labasa moved to Naseakula village.

There's a song 'Vorovoro, Malau kei Vuo'.

. So I was surprised to read an article in one of the Fiji papers today about Vuo fundraising for the church.

Okay, for those who don't agree with the way Methodists collect money, just calm down. It's a customary way of having a party/get-together for a day and giving your soli is part of it. It is also a reinforcement of identity, of who you belong to.

Villagers raise $2339 for church work
Tuesday, June 26, 2007

VILLAGERS of Vuo, in Macuata, put aside all their worries to raise more than $2000 to fund church activities. With eight stalls in the middle of the village ground, members of the Methodist Church sold food and handicraft, making $2339.73.
Set a target of $1500, the members vowed to raise more.

Committee chairman Lepani Sogovale said it was the first time for the Malau sector to host such a funadraising activity. "This is to help finance church activities not only in Malau but the Labasa church in general because we come under the tikina of Labasa. "We have eight stalls for the eight sectors and each sector has to raise $1500. "But almost every sector exceeded that amount because we wanted to do the best and help finance church activities because it is our duty," Mr Sogovale said.
He said besides selling food, members had to give their soli, which was presented to the committee through the eight contestants. Mr Sogovale said the eight sectors had their own queens or contestants for the soli day simply to increase competition among members. Every sector gives in whatever they have or whatever they can give and it is their queen who brings the money to the committee. The involvement of queens is to add colour to the event instead of just having a normal soli where people walk and give their money. Having queens for each sector makes the day exciting, with people wanting to give the best dress for their queen."

He said although the Malau sector had other commitments, members wanted to give first to the parent body of the church in Labasa.

Members of Tribe Wanted were at the bazaar to help. Tribe member Raina Jensen said the people in the area had helped them greatly since they arrived on Vorovoro Island last year. "So whenever they need our help we are always around."