Worry over outflow of whale’s tooth
THERE is a risk of more
tabua (whale’s tooth) circulating abroad than in Fiji, says Ministry of iTaukei Affairs deputy secretary Saimoni Waibuta.
Mr Waibuta said the number of tabua being taken out of the country was worrying.
He said the present annual export quota of 225 was always exhausted every year and about 1125
tabua had been legally taken out of Fiji over the past five years.
The ministry over the years has shown great concern over the trade of
tabua, highlighting issues such as the increased risk of more tabua in circulation abroad than in the country, given the substantial outflow over the years.
“Secondly the information gap between the main institutions responsible for the monitoring of
tabua
movement in and out of Fiji. The lack of baseline information on villages and individuals continue to be a challenge.
“Concern number four is the tabua replicas that are currently in circulation and is expected to gain momentum should the current trend continue and moreover the price one has to pay to obtain one.”
He added that these issues among others had prompted the ministry to look into the possibility of being given the exclusive licence to operate a tabua
shop and to regulate the price of tabua.
“The need to protect and respect our cultural values that are accorded to this artefact in our iTaukei communities are more daunting now than ever before.
“The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs is mandated to safeguard and protect the iTaukei ways of life and its culture and traditions.”
Mr Waibuta said protecting the cultural significance of the tabua
was not only an extension of how a culture should be preserved or sustained, but more so having pride in one’s identity.