Nasilai Artisan, 72, Ready To Pass On Knowledge

Veniana Paulina is on a mission to maintain and pass on traditional ways of producing earthenware.

Ms Paulina, 72, is from Nasilai Village in Rewa.

In this village, artisanal women of the Vulagi tribe which migrated on the province long time ago possess knowledge of traditional Fijian pottery that has been passed down verbally through the ages.

As history tells, the onset of the terrible pandemic known as ‘matelila’ or the wasting disease was the cause of this early tribe exodus.

They have been believed to have come from Bau Island.

Traditionally, she is known to the vanua as ‘dau buli’ or ‘dau tulituli’, these are individuals who specialise in traditional pottery craft making.

Ms Paulina highlighted the challenge she faced as a senior dau tulituli is noticing that there is lack of hype and interest from youths to learn.

For this, she has been constant in setting up workshops in her village so eventually young girls and boys attend to learn.

Her plea to the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is to arrange workshops with relevant stakeholders so in return there is a good resurrection of traditional knowledge of earthenware.

Another weakness shared was the lack of markets for the sale of traditional pottery and crafts.

Ms Paulina said the last time she made a good sale was two years ago, selling one of her exotic pieces to an Australian gallery.

She pleas with relevant stakeholders and the ministry to also provide them a stable market so eventually more interest is created.

Story by: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj