Making a lovo for Christmas

from w
Bula si'a. Far away from Fiji and our land in babasiga it's still possible to make an incredibly good lovo. An underground oven. On Saturday Peceli, a son, and three grandchildren worked very well together from about 6 a.m. to steam our three pieces of pork, some dalo, kumala and potatoes. As it was cooking most of us went off to the local Uniting Church while Epa watched the lovo. By 11.30 the lovo was ready to open and everything was cooked beautifully. Lovely when the men do the main cooking and my daughter-in-law and I prepared shellfish and prawns etc. What is more important is that each generation of men and boys learn how to participate in Fijian cultural traditions such as the making of an underground oven.

Another backyard lovo

from w
Yesterday the guys spent the afternoon making a lovo for a Fijian visitor from Sydney. Firstly inform the fire brigade. Secondly find some firewood from a Rotary friend who's a farmer. Thirdly buy pork, chickens, taro (from Werribee the other day), kumala from Not Quite Right at $2 each very large kumala, and lots of aluminium foil. Pick leafy greens from the garden and cook with coconut cream. Other women brought lots of fruit and icecream, etc. Okay, the men did a great job with the lovo in the middle of the back yard and when it was time to open up, showed it to some Geelong people who were guests. It was a lovely party with a little bit of yaqona then a huge meal as different Tongan and Maori friends drifted in and out of the party. We call this 'Kava Ministry' - hospitality and some Christian input. Here are a few photos.