Naitasiri Festival chief guest, the Taukei Kalabu, Ratu Paula Rawiriwiri urged the people of the Naitasiri province to maintain their culture and tradition.

As chief guest during the Naitasiri Festival at Syria Park in Nausori he was accorded a full traditional welcome except for the yaqona ceremony on Thursday.

It is understood that Taukei Kalabu had asked that there be no yaqona ceremony because it should only be accorded to the Naitasiri paramount chief the Turaga Na Qaranivalu, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata.

Ratu Paula was happy with the traditional ceremony and urged organisers to impart the knowledge to youths so they could be involved in such gatherings.

He supported competitions at the festival because it would revive traditions and culture within the 16 districts and 91 villages of the province.

The Taukei Kalabu opened the festival with a donation of $12,000 and was helped by his people.

Meanwhile, the Senior Assistant Roko Tui Naitasiri, Laitia Vai  said from the  $22 levy collected from Naitasiri natives registered in the Vola Ni Kawa Bula (VKB) $10 would go to the Provincial Council Office;  $10 for development and $2 to the development of rugby.

He said the new way forward for the Naitasiri Provincial Council was development.

The council’s arm for development is the Naitasiri Investment Holdings.

Edited by Percy Kean

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