A
Legend Of Degei The 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.
Gne 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 realised 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. [TOP]
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 travelled 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. Realising 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]
Fire
Walking On The Island Of Beqa
In accordance with the legendary tradition
of the Sawau tribe of the island of Beqa, the firewalking
ceremony is still performed on special occasions.
The firewalking skill is possessed by the
Sawau tribesmen living in the four villages on the windward,
or Southern side of the island of Beqa. In special cases,
however, members of the other tribes who have been adopted
by the Sawau tribe, have successfully performed the ceremony.
the main village is know as Dakuibeqa where the chief
of the tribe known as Tui Sawau lives.
When the ceremony is to be performed several
representatives are chosen from each village, the total
number being usually from the immediate family of the
Bete. For two weeks before the event, the participants
segregate themselves
from all females and have no contact with them whatsoever,
also they must not eat any coconut. Failure to observe
the tabu renders the culprit liable to severe burns during
the ceremony.
A large circular pit is dug some twelve to
fifteen feet in diameter three to four feet in depth.
This pit is lined with large river stones twelve to fifteen
inches in diameter and a huge log fire is built over
them some six to eight hours before the ceremony.
When the time arrives, the men of the village
in gay regalia are led by the Bete to prepare the arena
for the firewalkers. Armed with long green poles some
of which have loops or strong green vines (walai) lashed
to their ends, the young men clear the burning logs from
the stones. As they heave on the vines, they chant in
unison, "O-vulo-vulo"!
A long tree-fern called Waqa-bala-bala said
to contain the Spirit God is then laid across the pit
at the direction of the Bete. A large vine some 1.5 inches
in diameter is then dragged across the stones leveling
them and preparing them for the firewalkers.
When the stones are finally in position, the
Bete jumps on to them and takes a few trial steps to
test their firmness and when satisfied, calls for bundles
of leaves (drau-ni-ba) and bundles of long swamp grass
(sila) these are placed around the edge of the pit.
When all is ready, the position of the waqa-bala-bala
is adjusted at the command of the Bete, and the base
pointed in the direction from which the firewalkers will
approach.
The village men who have prepared the pit
now surround the circle leaving only a gap for the entry
of the firewalkers.
The Bete looks around and when satisfied that
the time has arrived gives a great shout of "Vuto-O" which
is the signal for the firewalkers to burst from their
place of concealment and in a single file at a brisk
trot, approach the pit.
The waqa-bala-bala is quickly removed and
the firewalkers enter the pit and walk briskly in single
file on the white hot stones round the circumference
of the pit. They appear to suffer no harm from the heat.
As the audience is hushed in silence, a sudden shout
goes up, the bundles of grass and leaves are thrown on
the stones and the group huddles in the centre of the
pit chanting a song associated with the occasion.
Around the ankle of each is a band of tinder-dry
tree fern leaves called drau-ni-bala-bala and it is significant
although a handkerchief tossed on to the stones will
burst into flames, this band of fern does not ignite.
These bands are carefully taken off and buried in the
oven together with four special baskets of roots called
vasili which are said to take the place in the oven of
the performers.
The whole pit is then covered with earth,
and left for a period of four days. After four days,
the oven or lovo is opened by the firewalkers and the
baked roots are taken out and are grounded and mixed
with water. Dalo (taro) roots are then cooked in the
liquid and eaten by the firewalkers.
This completes the firewalking ceremony. [TOP]
Legend
Of The Firewalkers Of Fiji
Many years ago on the island of Beqa (pronounced
Mbengga), a tribe called Sawau lived on a mountain village
called Navakeisese. In this village there lived a famous
storyteller known as Dredre, who regularly entertained
the members of the tribe with his stories. It was customary
for the people of the village to bring gifts to Dredre
in appreciation of his entertainment.
On one occasion 
when asked what gifts
he would like, he requested each person of the audience
to bring him the first things they would find while hunting
the next day.
One of the warriors of Beqa called Tui-na-Iviqalita,
went fishing for eels (rewai) in a mountain stream. The
first thing he caught, felt like an eel, when he pulled
it out of the mud, it assumed the shape of a Spirit God.
Tui was extremely pleased and set off to present
his catch to Dredre, the storyteller. The Spirit God,
however, pleaded for his life and offered all manner
of gifts in exchange. These Tui refused until finally,
the Spirit God offered to give him power over fire and
this offer aroused his curiosity.
To prove his gift, a pit was dug and lined
with stones, and a great fire was lit on the stones.
When the stones were white with heat, the Spirit God
leapt down on the stones and called Tui to jump in with
him. Finally, he plucked up enough courage and was surprised
that he did not feel any effect from the heat. The Spirit
God then told him that he could be buried for four days
in the oven without suffering any injury. However, Tui
was afraid to do so, saying that he was quite satisfied
to walk on the stones. To this day members of the Sawau
tribes are able to walk on white hot stones and direct
descendants of Tui-na-Iviqalita still act as Bete, or
high priest, of the firewalkers of Fiji.[TOP]
The
Sacred Turtles Of Kadavu
On the island of Kadavu (pronounced Kandavu)
one of the larger islands of the Fiji Group and some
fifty miles by water from the capital city of Suva, is
the Fijian village of Namuana. Namuana nestles at the
foot of a beautiful bay adjacent to the Government Station
in Vunisea Harbour. Here the island of Kadavu narrows
down to a very isthmus and by climbing the hill behind
Namuana village one can stand on the saddle and look
out to the sea to the south and to the north. Legend
says that in the days gone by the warriors of Kadavu
slid their canoes on rollers up over the narrow neck
of land to save the long journey around the east and
west of Kadavu island.
Ohe women of Namuana village still preserve
a very strange ritual, that of calling turtles from the
sea. If you visit Namuana village to see the turtle calling,
your schooner anchors in a beautiful bay right under
the cliffs of a rocky headland. You land on the beach
and then either sit on the rocks under the
bluffs
on the beach or climb a rocky tract to a point some 150
or 200 feet up the rock face. Here you have a splendid
view and find assembled all the maidens of the village
of Namuana singing a strange chant. As they chant, if
you look very carefully down into the water of the bay,
you will see giant turtles rise one by one to lie on
the surface listening to the music.
This is not a fairy tale and actually does
take place and the water in this area is forbidden for
the fishing of turtles.
Another interesting sideline to this performance
is that if any member of the nearby village of Nabukelevu
is present, then the turtles will not rise to the surface
of the bay and turtle calling will have to be abandoned.
As is usually the case with such strange ceremonies
and customs in Fiji, the turtle calling is based on an
ancient legend still passed on from father to son among
the Fijian people of Kadavu.
Many, many years ago in the beautiful village
of Namuana on the island of Kadavu, lived a very lovely
princess called Tinaicoboga who was the wife of the chief
of Namuana village. Tinaicoboga had a charming daughter
called Raudalice and the two women often went fishing
on the reefs around their home.
In one particular occasion, Tinaicobaga and
Raudalice went further afield than usual and waded out
onto the submerged reefs which is just out from the rocky
headline to the east of the bay on which Namuana village
is situated.
They became so engrossed with their fishing
that they did not notice the stealthy approach of a great
war canoe filled with fishermen from the nearby village
of Nabukelevu. This village is situated in the shadow
of Mount Washington, the highest mountain on Kadavu island.
Today, Mount Washington is well know to mariners because
there is a splendid lighthouse there warning them of
the dangers of the rocky coastline.
Suddenly the fishermen leapt from their canoe
and seized the two women, bound their hands and feet
with vine and tossed them into the bottom of the canoe
and set off in great haste for home. Although they pleaded
for their lives, the cruel warriors from Nabukelevu were
deaf to their pleading and would not listen to their
entreaties.
The Gods of the sea, however, were kind and
soon a great storm arose and the canoe was tossed about
by huge waves which almost swamped it. As the canoe was
foundering in the sea the fishermen were astounded to
notice that the two women lying in the water in the hold
of the canoe had suddenly changed into turtles and to
save their own lives, the men seized them and threw them
into the sea.
As they slipped over the side of the canoe
the weather changed and there were no more waves.
The Nabukelevu fishermen continued their journey
back to their home village and the two women for Namuana
who had been changed to turtles lived on in the water
of the bay. It is their descendants today who rise when
the maidens of their own village sing songs to them from
the cliffs.
The translation of the strange song which
is chanted on such occasions is as follows:
"The women of Namuana are all dressed in mourning
Each
carries a sacred club each tattooed in a strange pattern
Do
rise to the surface Raudalice so we may look at you
Do
rise to the surface Tinaicoboga so we may also look
at you."
You may doubt the truth of the legend, but
you cannot doubt the fact that the chanting of this strange
song does in fact lure the giant turtles to the surface
of the blue waters of the bay near Namuana village on
the island of Kadavu.
The strange power of calling these turtles
is possessed only by the people of Namuana village and
it is true that should a member of their traditional
enemy tribe from the village of Nabukelevu further down
the coast be present, then no turtles will rise. [TOP]
In the high mountains of Taveuni, know as
Fiji's Garden Island, there is a beautiful lake of considerable
size. A flowering plant called Tagimoucia is found only
on the shores of this lake and any attempt to transplant
the vine has failed. The Tagimoucia is one of Fiji's
most beautiful wild flowers, the bunches of red flowers
have a small white centre.
The legend of the Tagimoucia
flower goes something like this.
In a hill above the shore lived a woman and
her little daughter. One day the little girl was playing
when she should have been working. Her mother kept asking
her to get on with her work but she ignored her mother
and kept on playing. Annoyed, the mother seized a bundle
of sasas (mid-ribs of the coconut leaf) which she used
as a broom, and spanked her daughter. "Go on, get out,
you naughty girl. Go out and I don't want to see your
face again."
The little girl was so upset that she sobbed
and ran away. She kept on running not realising where
she was going. Her tears blinded her and as she ran along
she blundered into a large climbing plant that hung from
a tree. It was a thick green vine with large green leaves
but there was no flowers on it. The child became entangled
with the vine and could not get free so she stayed there,
crying bitterly.
As the tears rolled down her cheeks they changed
from salt tear to tears of blood which fell on the stem
of the vine and turned into lovely flowers.
At last the little girl stopped crying and
managed to free herself from the vine and went back home.
She was delighted to find out that her mother had forgotten
her anger and so they lived happily together again. [TOP]
The
Tame Fish Of Fiji
On the island of Nananu-i-ra, just off the
North-east corner of Viti Levu, can be seen one of the
strangest sights in the Pacific. Here Paul Miller who
lives on the island keeps a school of tame sand cod.
These fish are friendly and come to be fed every day
by Paul.
Oen Cropp, one of Australia's best know underwater
cameraman says the fish will do anything. It is quite
safe to get in and swim with them. The fish, weighing
up to 45lbs will take food from your fingers and will
allow themselves to be petted and stroked. Ben and his
wife Van have filmed many exciting and amazing sequences
with these fish and they have particularly asked to try
to have the waters round the island declared a fish sanctuary.
[TOP]
Legend
Of Old Fiji
There is a legend "NANANU-I-RA" which goes
something like this:- "Once upon a time there lived in
the village of Nanukuloa (village of black sands) on
Viti Levu (Queen of the sands). Adi fell in love with
a handsome young chief from Bua, about twenty miles across
the water. Bua was famous for its forests of beautiful
sandalwood with a fragrant perfumed timber, and the people
of Bua were great canoe sailors.
Adi's lover, being a skilled sailor, sailed
his fast canoe across the intervening sea to visit her,
bearing many gifts carved from the exotic sandalwood
of Bua.
Unfortunately, however, the tribes of Bua
and the tribes on Viti Levu were not friendly, and the
suit of the young chieftain was rejected by Adi's father
and the chief of Nanukuloa.
Undaunted, however, the two lovers were determined
to meet secretly and this is what they did. Off the coast
near Adi's village is the island of Nananu-i-Ra, meaning "Dreamland
in the West" and it was here the lovers arranged to meet.
[TOP]
The
Red Prawns Of Vatulele
Long ago on the island of Vatulele there lived
a very beautiful chief's daughter called "Yalewa-ni-Cagi-Bula" or
Maiden-of-the-Fair-Wind. So beautiful was she that every
eligible chief who visited Vatulele sought to take her
as his bride. Yalewa-ni-Cagi-Bula however, was hard to
please and on every occasion she scornfully refused to
accept their approaches.
Not far away on the mainland of Viti Levu
lived a very handsome and dashing chief's son who was
heir to the 
throne
of mainland tribes. He had heard of the beautiful daughter
of the chief of Vatulele and decided that she was worthy
to be his wife. Finally, after much preparation, our
bold young chief set off, laden with gifts, to seek the
favours of yalewa-ni-Cagi-Bula. He was well received
by the chiefs of Vatulele, and confidently, he produced
the special gift which he had personally carried from
his mainland.
This gift consisted of the greatest delicacy
known to Fiji Islands, a bundle of giant prawns from
the coastal streams of Viti Levu, cooked to a tasty turn
in coconut milk. Such a delicacy could be expected to
melt the heart of any Fijian maiden - but not so on this
occasion.
Her face clouded in anger and with flashing
eyes she commanded ladies in waiting to seize him and
take him to the highest cliff on the island above the "Caves
of the Eagles" (known in Fiji as Ganilau) and cast him
out into the sea. As he tumbled down the cliff to the
sea his gift of bright red prawns fell from his hands
into a rocky pool at the base of the cliff, and the leaves
in which they were wrapped fell among the rocks around
the pool. Our bold young chief survived the fall and
returned sadly home to end his days pining for his lost
love. Everyday he would go down to the sea and look towards
the south where on a clear day, he could just make out
on the horizon a dark line which was Vatulele.
Legends tells us that on one occasion he even
began to build a bridge of stone to span the sea between
Vatulele and Viti Levu and the remains of this bridge
can still be seen jutting out to sea near the village
of Votualailai.
The end of the story is as interesting as
the beginning for where the red prawns fell into the
rocky pool they came to life and to this day the pools
under the cliffs on Vatulele are filled with bright scarlet
prawns and in the crevices of the rocks grow the leaves
in which they were wrapped. To the Fijians of Vatulele
these bright scarlet prawns known as "URA-BUTA" or "cooked
Prawns" are sacred and may not be harmed in any way.
They firmly believe that any who dare defy the TABU will
surely be shipwrecked.[TOP]
