MILITARY TATTOO

AVESI KALOKALO BA

On the 23rd of December I watched on television the replay of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Tattoo, at Suva's ANZ Stadium. It was impressive, flawless and every Fijian who watched this performance would definitely be proud of our armed and defence forces.

A particular segment that caught my attention was the martial arts display and the use of swords.

I hereby offer my suggestion to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces if they could learn the use of our own traditional weaponry and form of warfare (for display purposes only of course). It is understood that martial arts and the eastern oriental self-defence mechanism has proven to be effective and universally standardised.

Nevertheless, we are ever- borrowing foreign concepts and lest we forget how equally formidable our ancient Bati's were. Archived eye witnessed accounts from early Europeans described how terrifyingly accurate our predecessors used different war clubs on foes whether near or at a distance during combat.

This would also keep buoyant our traditions and culture in an IT/tech era that is globalising at a rapid rate. Lest we forget.

Avesi Kalokalo will receive a Philips Daily Collection Coffee Maker.

(His letter was published on January 7, 2018)