Turaga ni Koro: Why the Ban Should Continue
‘I told them to see the outcomes of their tabu. It is a positive change which will encourage other youths’
Viseisei Village Turaga Ni Koro (village headman), Anare Tuidraki is in support of the next possible seven months ban for villagers in the District of Vuda.
He said the ban has reaped many rewards for the villagers, especially for the youth.
The five villages of Viseisei, Lomolomo, Lauwaki, Nagaga in Abaca and Wayalailai in Namara, Yasawa, were part of a sevenmonth ban or tabu which opened last week.
Villagers aged 45 years and below were banned from consuming alcohol, kava and smoking from June 1, 2022 until January 1 of this year. Mr Tuidraki said because of the positive change to the villagers, and especially to the youths, he was looking forward to another implementation of the ban this year. However, the directive to have another one will come from the Momo Levu Na Tui Vuda, Ratu Eparama Kitione Tavaiqia.
He said following the end of the ban, the youth were blessed with job opportunities and even more re- spect was shown for the elders in the village.
Employment opportunities
“The positive outcome for our youth were: two of them were recruited by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Naval Division, three of the youths joined the Fiji Police Force and six of them went abroad for work under the National Employment Centre (NEC),” said Mr Tuidraki.
“As for the villagers, I have seen changes too. There is more respect shown towards each other.”
He said the majority of the villagers were faithful to their tabu. “Mostly for the men we did planting for seven months, some planted yams, some planted cassava and by the time it matured, the tabu opened and that was like a reward to them,” he said.
“I think there should be another ban for the benefit of the youths.” He said a decision of the next possible ban would take place at a meeting next month.
Mr Tuidraki said the main project now for Viseisei Village was to witness the completion of the seawall.