Hundreds of people yesterday witnessed the traditional firewalking ceremony performed by firewalkers from Dakuibeqa at Thurston Gardens in Suva yesterday.

This was part of 60th anniversary celebration of the Fiji Museum building.

Firewalking is one of the most important traditions that have been followed by people of Beqa for many years.

Firewalker Rusiate Tabu from Dakuibeqa Village in Beqa, has been performing this ritual since 1987.

“This skill was passed on to me from my ancestors,” he said.

He said they performed the firewalking ritual to maintain their tradition and also earn money for their community.

Mr Tabu also related the legend behind Beqa people’s ability to ‘walking on fire’.

“About 500 years ago a storyteller named Dredre (which means laugh) was looking for a gift to present to their chief.

“As he was following a creek up to the waterfall he noticed an eel in the muddy waters.

“Dredre caught the eel and at once the eel began to speak,” he said.

Mr Tabu further explained that the eel, knowing it was going to die, began to cry; it offered Dredre one last gift in exchange for his life, “Do you want to be a firewalker?” the eel said.

Intrigued, Dredre finally agreed.

The eel instructed him on how to set up and prepare the fire and then buried Dredre in an earth oven for four days.

After the fourth day Dredre was dug up, still alive.

And he said now the people of Beqa had the ability to firewalk.

Since then the people of Beqa have been performing the firewalking rituals.

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