Home of the ‘Abab’
IAM an Abab kiddo. This is how the young ones of Baba Village on Ovalau answer when asked about their origins.
Situated on a hillside with a panoramic view of Levuka Town is Baba Village, considered the biggest settlement in Lomaiviti.
With a population of between 600 and 700 people as per the most recent census, Baba Village is made up mainly of the descendants of Melanesians who were brought to Fiji under the blackbirding system in the 1900s.
“Baba was established in the late 1900s. When our forefathers came here, this place was uninhabited,” said village headman Jimi Tauwai.
“Our village is mixed. We are descendants of Rotumans, Solomons and Vanuatus who came here during the blackbirding era and got married into each other’s families.
“There was no place to stay until they found an available location on the hillside and that’s where they decided to settle down.”
As is obvious to the iTaukei and to those who know the language, the derivative of the village name Baba is self-explanatory.
“Our forefathers called the village Baba because, well, it’s on a hillside.”
According to him, there are several footpaths that run through the village.
“Baba is a big place. It has footpaths all over the place because it’s on a hillside.
“I was born and bred here in Baba and I’m proud to say that my great grandfather was one of the blackbirding victims from the Solomon Islands who helped build these roads in Levuka.
“Not only did they build roads, they also built the seawall and the park located just below our village.”
Mr Tauwai’s mother, Wainikiti Tauwai, is the oldest person in the village. At 88, she shares her home with her cousins who are also around the same age.
In total, there are four settlements that make up the village of Baba — Nadugu, Nosonoso, Korovou and Nadevo.
“Nosonoso and Nadevo, however, belong to the Tui Levuka.
“Korovou sits on half native and half crown land and a part of Korovou is on leased native land.
“I am from Korovou and we are of Solomon and Vanuatu descent and I’ve been the village chief for 11 years now.”
Not only is Baba home to a Pacific Melanisia-blended community, it is also home to six Olympians who represented Fiji in weightlifting.
“Joe Vueti, Kesaia Tawai, Imanueli Tulo, Apolonia Ravai, Maria Liku and Eileen Cikamatana are the six weightlifting olympians who grew up in Baba,” Mr Tauwai said proudly.
“The gym that they train in is known worldwide. We call this the jungle gym.
“What you might find surprising is the fact that some of them hadn’t even set foot on Suva when they had to travel overseas.
“They just did their training here in Baba, went to Nadi and flew straight overseas.
“So, we are really proud to produce not one, but six Fiji representatives in weightlifting.”
Proudly smiling at the thought of what Baba has to offer, Mr Tauwai said the village is also known for producing the best food around.
“Baba Village is quite popular for its tavioka, rourou and fish.
“Fish because we have divers here that feed Levuka at least two, three times a day.
“Thirty dollars for a bundle of fish. And it’s worth it.”
With its beautiful landscape and friendly people, Baba is also considered a red zone to the police.
“I am not proud to say it, but we are trying our very best to keep the crime rate low.
“We are engaging the youth in sports and workshops and advocating on the advantages of being employed or being in school.
“We are encouraging our children to not only focus on PAFCO as our main employer, but to venture out to Viti Levu or overseas for work and to keep their faith in God wherever they go.”