Preserve culture and traditions
APPROXIMATELY 5.2 kilometres from the heart of Suva City and a 10 minutes’ drive through Princes Road is Tamavua Village.
The village which falls under the Naitasiri district in the Naitasiri Province has been home to many different groups of people since the ancient days of tribal warfare and cannibalism.
Despite its urban location, its youths have fought nail and tooth to preserve their culture, tradition and their land.
A week ago, villagers visited an iconic landmark, the land where the Australian High Commission sits on, a land where their forefathers had once fought which later opened up opportunities for their generation.
Their visit was part of the National Aborigines and Islanders Day observance committee celebration.
“The youths of Matanikutu would like to thank the people of Australia for allowing us access into these wonderful premises, a place where our forefathers once
fought and died, opening up a brighter future for our generation,” youth president Semaima Lagilagi said.
“Youths must take genuine pride in one’s own culture and language including the preservation of resources.
“We are grateful to the Australia High Commissioner Mr John Feakes for accepting our request to tour the embassy and also be part of this important celebration.”
Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes said the event allowed them to thank villagers for hosting them in their community.
“The Australian High Commission has been living among the village for the past 30 years, hosting us and keeping us safe and today is just a way of thanking the community for hosting us in their community,” he said.
“It is coincidental as we are also marking our indigenous week in Australia this week so we decided to host the two events together.”
As an urban village, modernisation has very much been part of their daily living; however, youths have never let this get in the way of preserving culture and tradition.
Despite its location, village youths have at hand a youth constitution which stipulates in one its pillars the preservation of culture and tradition.
This firmly supports their urge to protect what rightfully belongs to them for the sake of their future generation.
Ms Lagilagi said last week’s event reinstated the responsibilities they had as indigenous people to preserve their culture and tradition.
She has also called on Fijian youths to value and preserve their indigenous cultures and traditions and this included the preservation of indigenous language and unique art which has been passed down through generations.
“Our indigenous language keeps us connected to our local cultures and this strengthens the feelings of pride and self-worth among our communities.
“This event enabled our youths to learn more about the culture, history and achievements of the Aboriginal; and Torres Islander people.
“Tamavua is an urban village and we are surrounded by so much development, we feel that if we don’t continue to practise our local customs and tradition, we will lose it all. This includes our language, history of our village and preservation of our natural resources.”
She added youths must take pride in one’s own culture and language including the preservation of resources.
She has also called on government and development partners to recognise and respect the rights of indigenous people to their land, resources and sacred rights and proper consultations should always be carried out before developments.