Lauwaki Villagers Mark Historic Occasion

Hundreds of villagers from the District of Vuda gathered at Lauwaki Village in Lautoka on Thursday to remember one of their ancestors.

In a full traditional iTaukei ceremony, the villagers remembered the late, Se­tareki Nadu in a church service, unveil­ing of a plaque and concluding with a solevu which is the presenting of gifts to the church talatala (priest) and to the Momo na Tui Vuda, Ratu Eparama Ki­tione Tavaiqia.

There are five villages that come under the District of Vuda - Viseisei Village, Lomolomo Village, Namara Village, Abaca Village and Lauwaki Village.

The late Mr Nadu was a follower with the late Methodist Church missionary, Thomas Baker. But Mr Baker and his seven Fijian followers (including Mr Nadu) were slain in the Navosa High­lands on July 21, 1867.

Lauwaki Village youth leader, Semisi Labailagi, said it was a special day for the villagers to remember their late an­cestors.

“Two years ago, a church priest from Davuilevu brought the history books to Lauwaki and there was no clue that Setareki Nadu was from this village,” he said.

“Lauwaki Village was previously lo­cated at Korovatu, Vuda before shifting to its current location in 1871.

“This significance to us is that it is a special day because it is written down in the history books.”

He said it was vital for youths in the village to be educated on the history of their own village.

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