A district representative in Labasa has made a suggestion to control the consumption of kava to avoid its abuse.

“I am humbly suggesting that there be regulations to control the consumption of kava in our villages,” said Labasa mata-ni-tikina, Isoa Baleirotuma.

Mr Baleirotuma raised the point while making his submission during the village by-law consultation in Labasa last week.

He said as the iTaukei tradition, kava was only consumed during meetings and traditional ceremonies.

The Village By-Laws Committee chairperson and assistant permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs Saimoni Waibuta said they were also working towards this common cause as the overconsumption of kava was a great hindrance in iTaukei villages.

Church denomination concern

There have been concerns raised by villagers that newly-introduced church denominations have caused rifts instead of unity in communities.

Speaking at the village by-laws consultation at the Kshatriya Hall in Labasa last week, the Dogotuki District representative, Ilaitia Lalakobau said that they had banned the introduction of new denomination in their district.

“Right now, we have five denominations in Dogotuki and we have decided to stop any more church groups from operating there,” Mr Lalakobau said.

He said while these denominations have united, it had caused divisions at first.

While responding to these concerns, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Naipote Katonitabua said: “We have seen that there has been are a lot of church groups that have been entering our villages and some of them have different principles.

“And we have noted that a lot of things that has been happening are outside the Christian principle.”

He recommended that new church groups that plan to operate in a village should seek the permission of the vanua first.

By-laws to preserve traditions: Katonitabua

These laws are not meant to bound individuals, but to help iTaukei preserve our customs and traditions in our villages which are slowly fading away.

Mr Katonitabua was responding to concerns raised by the Dreketi District Representative, Inoke Masivava, who said the by-laws deprived them of pursuing their own decisions.

“We want freedom and we want decisions on how to live our life. The enacting of by-laws is a degrading act, and it is noted colonized by powerful nations,” Mr Masivava said.

“Why are you trying to regulate the way the iTaukei manage their affairs and leave other races to enjoy their freedom?

“We have seen since independence the iTaukei community has failed to evenly compete with other races because prior to that the by-laws were in place.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

Feedback: josaia.ralago@fijisun.com.fj