Tokase inspires women
TRADITIONAL masi maker Igatolo Tokase believes that a woman’s place is not only in the kitchen.
She said women were innovative and resilient because they could make use of the natural resources around them and skills acquired since childhood to create a steady source of income for their family.
Ms Tokase said women could even be successful in business and “be her own boss”.
The Korotalu, Moce, Lau, native said she learnt about preparing and designing masi from when she was a young girl.
“I first started making
masi when I was in Year 2 and it was my grandmother who had taught me,” she said.
“I would sit beside her and help beat the masi, but sometimes she would chase me because I would spoil her work.”
She said making masi
in the wee hours of the morning in the village was routine for all women and girls who grew up there.
“Back in the village, we would all look forward to the mornings because that meant we would make
masi.
“At times we would have visitors come around and they would hear the pounding so early and wonder what’s happening – that’s how life is in the village.”
Ms Tokase lived in Korotalu most of her life until her family moved to Suva so the children could further their studies.
“My husband stayed in the village while I moved to Suva for our eldest child’s education. Upon arriving in Viti Levu, life was hard as none of us was working.
“I went back to the village after my daughter settled into her new school, so I left her with a relative of ours.
“But as time went by, my daughter returned to the village because she fell pregnant.”
A few months after her daughter returned to Korotalu, her husband decided she and the children should return to Suva.
“My husband told me that if we all stayed in the village, we wouldn’t be able to earn money, so we decided that it was time I returned to Suva and this time I took my five children with me so they could further their studies as well.
“Upon reaching Suva, one of my girls was able to get a part-time job as a cashier in supermarkets. This helped us financially.”
Ms Tokase said they stayed with a relative because they didn’t have a place of their own.
“I started making masi and selling it and through this business, we were able to send the kids to school and build our own house.
“Making masi has helped us in many ways. It’s better than having to wait for a week’s pay.”
She said after two years of staying with relatives, they decided to rent a place in 2012.
“My daughter agreed to this, and we managed to find a two-bedroom house that was going for $350 a month. It was more than enough for us.
“My kids continued their studies, and because I couldn’t afford to pay for their tertiary education, I encouraged them to start looking for jobs.