Villagers Celebrate Tui Vuda’s Traditional Home

Villagers of Viseisei in Vuda, Lautoka celebrated another milestone achievement yesterday.

It was the opening of the refurbished and re-thatched traditional home of the Tui Vuda, Ratu Eparama Kitione Tavaiqia.

Together in joining the celebration were members from nearby villages and those from the Nadroga province.

Villager, Peniasi Tora, who was present to witness the celebration said it was an occasion that the villagers always looked forward to.

He said the refurbishment and the re-thatching of the home was done every 10 years.

He briefly shared what it involved.

“There are traditional people who are responsible for the renovation. They are from the Namara Village by the Mataqali Boutolu and this is led by the head of the clan,” he said.

“The whole works was done from outside to the inside. It has phases which involved the traditional taking down of the roof. When they start re-thatching, another ritual is accorded.

“The final phase is when everything is completed, the vanua gets together to hold a celebration.”

“It took them three weeks to complete this and this is where the whole of the vanua is involved in terms of feeding the clan three meals a day.”

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

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