Nakelo serves traditional dessert for chiefs, guests on Bau Island
Nakelo is renowned for its famous Fijian dessert, the vakalolo or qalu, highly sought after by visitors to the village of Bau in Tailevu Province. Yesterday, was no exception as the 13 villages from Nakelo district prepared two distinct types of vakalolo.
Nai susei, containing sivaro maca, and kovucoiduru, containing lolo buta (cooked coconut milk).
Aisake Donu, the spokesperson of Vunivaivai Village in Nakelo, said they brought 26 nai susei and 26 kovucoiduru for the occasion. “We made two different types of
vakalolo, and all 13 villages from the Nakelo district made two of each kind. When we arrived in Bau, we presented them to our
mataki (traditional envoy), who will then determine where the
vakalolo will be distributed,” Mr Donu said.
“One vakalolo has been taken to Mateiwelagi for Turaga na Vunivalu, na Tui Kaba Ratu Epenisa Cakobau. Sivaro maca is reserved for the chiefs, while lolo buta is intended
for the warriors. “Whenever we come to Bau, we only bring the vakalolo. This tradition has been passed down through generations.”
He went on to describe the types of vakalolo in detail.
“The process of making vakalolo takes about one and a half days. One day is dedicated to grating the cassava, scraping the coconut and cooking the coconut milk. Sivaro contains roasted coconut
shavings, boiled cassava, and dalo which is later pounded,” he said. “It is not served to just anyone. Lolo buta consists of grated cassava.
“It is always presented as a whole piece, not cut into smaller portions, allowing the chiefs to engage in conversation while they enjoy their meal.”