TALANOA WITH DR T
TARISI SOROVI-VUNIDILO, A FIJIAN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII STARTED A FACEBOOK PAGE TO ENHANCE FIJIAN VERNACULAR EDUCATION. She admits she would not have been able to do her videos without the help of her two children and her husband
to connect with my audience, and help them re-connect to their own history.
“My target market are Fijian speaking families and mostly children,” Mrs Vunidilo said.
“I believe that the transmission of cultural knowledge to our young ones is key, as they will be the future of Fiji,” said the Professor.
The mother of two did most of her university studies and work experience overseas. She is an archaeologist by profession.
Her family has been her biggest inspiration and support group.
“Story-telling from my parents, especially my late mother, inspired me in all facets of life.,” Mrs Vunidilo said.
“She used to tell me all her life stories of collecting firewood, catching fish, weaving mats, cooking in the open fire etc whilst growing up in Kadavu. This, added to my active imagination, I often visualise her stories whilst growing up in Suva (I was the only one that was born in Suva-my older siblings were born in Kadavu).”
She has projects in the pipeline, one of which is with the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. She is currently writing a book and hopes to also complete a documentary.
She admits she would not have been able to do her videos without the help of her two children and her husband who came up with the idea.
The programme should last 10 weeks with each video lasting an hour. They can also be viewed on a YouTube channel.